Duran Duran have released a new song called ‘Pressure Off’, featuring the talents of Nile Rodgers and Janelle Monae. The track is the first single from their latest LP Paper Gods, which is the band’s first album in almost 5 years.
The album features collaborations with a host of different artists and producers alongside the aforementioned Rodgers and Monae – Canadian singer Kiesza (best known for last years’s no. 1 hit ‘Hideaway’) and former Red Hot Chilli Peppers guitarist, John Frusciante have contributed on tracks, while Rodgers and Mark Ronson have also worked on the album as producers.
Describing the album’s musical direction, the band’s bassist John Taylor said: “It really goes back to that strange early Duran mix: the hard-edged pop, coexisting with this dark, weird, experimental side”
Keyboardist Nick Rhodes added: “It’s great to be able to lift people’s spirits with a strong shot of pure pop, but the world we live in isn’t all just made of that stuff, so it seems natural to me that we have kept one foot in the darker, more gothic side of life.”
Rodgers and Duran Duran have also announced that they will perform a series of live shows together over the coming months, including Fold Festival (organised by Rodgers) in Long Island, New York. The band will then return to the UK to perform at Bestival in September, followed by a headline tour in November.
The band will be playing the following venues:
NOVEMBER 21st – Manchester Arena
28th – Leeds First Direct Arena
30th – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
DECEMBER
2nd – Brighton Centre
4th – Birmingham Genting Arena
5th – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
6th – Glasgow SSE Hydro
8th – London The O2 Arena
10th – Bournemouth International Centre
11th – Nottingham Capital FM Arena
12th – Liverpool Echo Arena
The new album, Paper Gods will be released on 18th September. For much information on tour dates and where to buy tickets, visit the band’s website.
Listen to ‘Pressure Off’ – which is available to buy as a single now – below.
