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Duran Duran – Future Past

Florian Buechting Media Review No Comments

Duran Duran - Future Past

Duran Duran - Future Past
4

Rating

 4.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Sounds like Duran Duran
  • First album since six years
  • Overall nicely recorded and produced album

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Rather narrow range of songs

New sounds by Duran Duran. The band which had some many great songs in the 1980’s releases Future Past on 22nd October 2021, some six years after their last album. Here is my review.

 

Duran Duran – About The Artists

Duran Duran is a New Wave and synth-pop band from Birmingham, United Kingdom. Quite soon after the band has been founded, there have been multiple lineup changes. The most famous time of Duran Duran was likely in the early 1980’s, during which have been a quintet of Simon Le Bon (vocals), John Taylor (bass), Andy Taylor (guitar), Nick Rhodes (keyboard) and Roger Taylor (drums). Even though two of them have been on hiatus in the meantime, this is rather close to their nowadays setup, which includes Le Bon, John and Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes.

The three key studio albums of the band are likely their first three ones, Duran Duran (1981), Rio (1982) and Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983). On top of that, their first live album Arena (1984) became very famous as it featured The Wild Boys. The band was a global success story and sold well in Europe, Canada and even countries like New Zealand. The band has been successful at least until the mid-2000’s. For example, they had two number #2 singles in Italy, (Reach Up for the) Sunrise (2004) and What Happens Tomorrow (2005) during that time. Future Past‘s predecessing album Paper Gods was still Top 10 in the UK, Canada, Italy and the Netherlands.

 

Duran Duran – Future Past – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 51 minutes

1. Invisible

Invisible is opening the album. Duran Duran feel to love the song, as it has also been their leading single. Not only Le Bon’s voice makes you feel that this is truly a Duran Duran song. The song is a bit of too distorted to me. A nice warm-up, but not the song I was hoping to listen to.

2. All Of You

The second track is a nice showcase for John Taylor, who is creating a great bass groove in this song. The melody almost adds a touch of funk to the song. I definitely enjoy the sound of All Of You.

3. Give It All Up (feat. Tove Lo)

According to Wikipedia, Tove Lo has been called “Sweden’s darkest pop export” by the Rolling Stone. In collaboration with the Birmingham boys, however, she is not sounding too bad. No need to feel afraid or to wipe away tears.

4. Anniversary

The marching bass groove and the sound of Simon Le Bon’s vocals give me a strong reference to The Wild Boys at the beginning of the song. However, during the 5:18 minutes playtime, the song more and more emancipates from the big track and creates an own, good to listen to, sound.

5. Future Past

So don’t you cry
For what will never last
Each moment created in time
It’s all a future past
That we are living now

Right after this great listen, Duran Duran set the title track of the album. A slow, very atmospheric listening experience, which feels more like a hymnic song than a ballad to be. Cool one.

6. Beautiful Lies

Drum and synth sounds take control of Beautiful Lies from the very beginning. The song has a lot of drive and power. If you have really quick feet, this one might bring you to the nearest dance floor.

7. Tonight United

A mid-tempo ranged song, some good bass, good keys – this track is a song which is definitely in the comfort zone of the “old school Duran Duran” fans. A song with late 1980’s style, which is a nice listen in 2021 as well.

8. Wing

She’ll never know what’s eating me alive
A hungry demi – god that will not be denied
I am foundering on the absence
Of desire meant for me
Laid bare imagination for all to see

Duran Duran know how to party – but also how to create special atmospheres. For example the one of this song, this album so far. Very deep and good listen.

9. Nothing Less

Nothing less is a slow, atmospheric starter, before Duran Duran is back in their typical sound. Not bad at all – and the guitars add a nice flavor here – but I am still missing an exciting or special track.

10. Hammerhead (feat. Ivorian Doll)

Vanessa Mahi or Ivorian Doll is a UK-based rapper, who has Ivory Coast Background and was born in Flensburg, Germany. The song has a nice sing-a-long potential. I am not sure if the rap part is really a good option for Hammerhead, though.

11. More Joy! (feat. Chai)

For this song, Duran Duran collaborated with the Japanese girl band Chai. The song is quite catching – however, I would love to have more presence for the four ladies.

12. Falling (feat. Mike Garson)

For the last song, Duran Duran is relying on the skills of world-class pianist Mike Garson. The result is a piano ballad, which more and more creates powerful sounds.

 

Duran Duran – Future Past – Spotify

Here is Future Past on Spotify:

 

Duran Duran – Future Past – My View

There is no new The WIld Boys or another special song on the album. Duran Duran 2021 sound like Duran Duran in the 1980’s. Not sure if that is really what the fans will love about the album. I feel that thus, the album should not make it to the Top Pick! range. Stll a very good 4.0 from my side.

 

 

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