Duran Duran cover Billie Eilish and Talking Heads on forthcoming album, Danse Macabre

30 August 2023, 08:00 | Written by Tyler Damara Kelly

(News)

(Duran Duran) (Billie Eilish) (Talking Heads)

Duran Duran have announced their 16th studio album, Danse Macabre, alongside its title track, just in time for this year’s Halloween.

Catalysed by one special live performance that Duran Duran filmed in Las Vegas on 31 October last year, Danse Macabre is the soundtrack to their ultimate Halloween party. "Danse Macabre" is released today as the first of three brand new songs. Teaming with producer Mr Hudson, channelling the chemistry they unlocked together on the Paper Gods album, the song also features former bandmate Warren Cuccurullo on guitar in his first collaboration with the band since 2001.

The album features Halloween-inspired covers of Billie Eilish’s "Bury A Friend", "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads, featuring Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin, The Rolling Stones’ "Paint It Black", "Spellbound" by Siouxsie and the Banshees, and many more.

As well as Warren Cuccurullo, the album includes more special collaborations with former Duran Duran band member Andy Taylor, producer, guitarist and composer Nile Rodgers, and producers Josh Blair and Mr Hudson. Danse Macabre will also feature newly recorded versions of "Nightboat" and fan favourite "Secret Oktober 31st" (both featuring Andy Taylor on guitar). The song made its first appearance as B-side to the 7” single "Union of The Snake" and is now, 40 years later, seeing its first ever physical release on a Duran Duran studio album.

Speaking about Danse Macabre, keyboardist Nick Rhodes said: “The song "Danse Macabre" celebrates the joy and madness of Halloween. It is the title track of our forthcoming album, which gathers together an unusual mix of cover versions, reworked Duran Duran songs and several new compositions. We had decided to seize the moment to create a unique, special event…the temptation of using glorious gothic visuals set to a dark soundtrack of horror and humour was simply irresistible."

Speaking of the show last Halloween, he continues: "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. Emotion, mood, style and attitude have always been at the heart of Duran Duran’s DNA, we search for light in the darkness and darkness in the light, and I feel we have somehow managed to capture the essence of all of that in this project.”

Tracklist: