Duran Duran New Single and Album

'Astronaut' sounds like the natural successor to 'Ragged Tiger', but it could only have been produced in 2004. Indeed, two of the people assisting in the studio for Duran's latest opus were Don Gilmore and Dallas Austin, who between them have worked with everyone from Linkin Park, Good Charlotte and Avril Lavigne to Michael Jackson, TLC and Madonna.

'Astronaut' is steeped in 21st century technology and state-of-the-art recording techniques. And yet the dozen tracks on the album are traditional Duran dance-pop constructions: a base of funk rhythms with layers of guitars and keyboards, topped off by soaring vocals and harmonies. It's hard rock with a soft melodic centre and a beat built for clubs.

On 'Astronaut' you can still see Duran's roots and hear where they came from. Remember, this is an outfit, galvanised by a love of music and fashion at its most arty, alternative and extreme, influenced by glam (Bowie, Roxy, Bolan), disco and punk; a band that emerged during the post-punk period of the late 1970s, when every white rock act wanted to be black and was enamoured as much by The Clash and Chic, The Sex Pistols and Earth Wind & Fire. When music was designed as much for the nightclub as the bedroom, as much for the feet as the head. Energy plus elegance equals euphoria, or something.
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