Duran Duran have announced the release of their 16th studio album, Danse Macabre, due out on October 27th via Tape Modern/BMG. With Halloween as its “key theme,” the album not only features a batch of new songs, but also a number of fun guests and several covers, including tunes by Billie Eilish, Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones, and more.
Along with the album announcement, the band has also shared the record’s title track, “Danse Macabre,” as a lead single, with a fittingly spooky video in tow. Watch the new music video below.
According to the press release, Danse Macabre and its Halloween theme were inspired by Duran Duran’s 2022 Halloween show, in which they employed “glorious gothic visuals” and a number of fun cover songs to create a “dark soundtrack of horror and humor.” As the band’s Nick Rhodes explained: “That evening inspired us to explore further and to make an album, using Halloween as the key theme. The record metamorphosed through a pure, organic process, and not only was it made faster than anything since our debut album, it has also resulted in something none of us could have ever predicted.”
Among the covers included on the album are renditions of Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend,” Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Spellbound,” Cerrone’s “Supernature,” and The Specials’ “Ghost Town.” There’s even a “Rick James-inspired” track, entitled “Super Lonely Freak.”
As for collaborators, several notable guests contributed to Danse Macabre, including former Duran Duran members Warren Cuccurullo and Andy Taylor (the latter of which recently shared good news regarding his cancer prognosis), as well as Nile Rodgers and Måneskin’s Victoria De Angelis. The project also features producers Josh Blair and Mr Hudson.
Danse Macabre is due on October 27th, and pre-orders are ongoing. “It’s about a crazy Halloween party,” the band’s Simon Le Bon said. “It’s supposed to be fun!”
Meanwhile, Duran Duran are still on the road for their “Future Past Tour” with Nile Rodgers & Chic, which will run through the end of September. Check out the full list of dates, and grab your tickets here.
Danse Macabre Artwork:
Danse Macabre Tracklist:
01. Nightboat
02. Black Moonlight
03. Love Voudou
04. Bury A Friend
05. Supernature
06. Danse Macabre
07. Secret Oktober 31st
08. Ghost Town
09. Paint It Black
10. Super Lonely Freak
11. Spellbound
12. Psycho Killer (feat. Victoria De Angelis)
13. Confession in the Afterlife
