Duran Duran – Danse Macabre

Deliciously dark synth-pop treats for Hallowe'en...

13 unlucky for some, but for Duran Duran, lady luck might well be on their side with their spooky sojourn into the world on concept albums. Initiated by one special live performance that Duran Duran filmed in Las Vegas on October 31st of last year, ‘Danse Macabre’ with its 13 tracks comprising of covers and original material is the soundtrack to their ultimate Hallowe’en party.

We didn’t have Duran Duran covering Billie Eilish’s ‘Bury A Friend’ on our bingo card for 2023, but if you did, then lady luck is on your side too, as this is one of the curated covers by Duran Duran on ‘Danse Macabre’ which follows the theme of Hallowe’en (insert your very own spooky laugh here!).

Every track can be listened to in isolation, but by listening to the album chronologically, you can see how the band are using music to achieve a balance between dark and light, seeking out light in the darkness and darkness in the light which is reflected throughout ‘Danse Macabre’.

The aforementioned Hallowe’en cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘Bury A Friend’ has taken the original and has made it more expansive into a more indulgent synth-laden groove with the instrumentation adding a biting nuance.

‘Danse Macabre’ also features reinterpretations of Hallowe’en-inspired covers of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’, ‘Spellbound’ by Siouxsie and the Banshees, ‘Psycho Killer’ by Talking Heads, featuring Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin and The Specials’ ‘Ghost Town’.

‘Paint it Black’ has always had a dark vibe, but Duran Duran take it one step further and elevate it with glitchy harpsichord-like synths to make it more gothic but equally compelling. Whereas Talking Heads’ ‘Psycho Killer’ has been reimagined into a deliriously funky disco-fuelled riot which also features bassist Victoria De Angelis from Måneskin. Another standout is their storming take on Siouxsie And The Banshees’ ‘Spellbound’. 

The only two tracks that doesn’t quite make the mark is their slightly random revisitation of The Specials’ ‘Ghost Town’ where whilst they have tried to stay reasonably loyal to the original, it feels like it has lost the grit that makes the original so compelling. Their rendition of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’ is bold, but is falling into the sphere of musical theatre and doesn’t quite have the bite of the original.

‘Danse Macabre’ isn’t exclusive to just covers as Duran Duran have rolled out a handful of spooky reworkings of songs from their own playbook as well as three new tracks. ‘Black Moonlight’, their lead single is a nostalgic, sleek groove which sees Duran Duran reunited with long-time friend and collaborator Nile Rodgers in a timeless display of dance-rock glamour. It also features a guest appearance from former guitarist Andy Taylor – who’s currently battling stage 4 prostate cancer too – on this and a handful of other tracks. Duran’s other former guitarist Warren Cuccurullo also guests on two of the album’s tracks.

The tantalising combination of Nick Rhodes’ synths and Nile’s distinctive dazzling guitar riffs make for an impossibly catchy tune and whilst it still ticks all the boxes thematically, it is still a smidge less gothic and sinister than the previous single ‘Danse Macabre’, but the new track still amps up some seriously eerie synths along with lines like ‘Dance ’til we’re out of sight / Into the black moonlight ‘A love in the dead of night’.

Eerie and distorted synths combined with plenty of swagger, a hypnotic hook and disquieted percussion go a long way to make the titular track set the tone for the rest of the album. It feels like this could have easily been on the soundtrack to The Lost Boys back in the day.

Duran Duran have used themes of ‘Danse Macabre’ to revisit a couple of Duran Duran deep cuts from the early 80s such as ‘Nightboat’ from their eponymous 1981 debut and ‘Secret Oktober’ which was originally a B-side for their 1983 single ‘Union Of The Snake’. Both tracks have a fresh feel and feel more multi-textured, especially with ‘Nightboat’ where the other-worldy sounding synths and menacing reverb elevate the track to even spookier levels. 

‘Danse Macabre’ takes the new wave icons down an unexpected route and if their remit about it being ‘about a crazy Halloween party that is supposed to be fun’, then it’s easily argued that they have achieved that goal. If you are looking for a deliciously dark soundtrack of horror and funk, then ‘Danse Macabre’ should be on your Halloween playlist. The big question is – is ‘Danse Macabre’ for life or just for Halloween? Either way, for the majority of Duran Duran’s sixteenth studio album, in true Halloween style, it will be love at first bite!

7/10

Words: Emma Harrison

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.