"Danse Macabre" Is Duran Duran's Must Listen to Halloween Album

Duran Duran released their sixteenth studio album, Danse Macabre, this previous October. The release date was done intentionally close to Halloween as the theme of this album is inspired by Halloween and all things spooky. And it may or not be intentional that the album has exactly 13 songs.

I’m thrilled to have had a chance to review it!

Duran Duran is well known for their seriously upbeat dance tunes from the 80’s era like “Rio”, “Hungry Like the Wolf”, and “The Reflex”. However, their music is quite diverse in mood and tone. You can find an ideal Duran Duran song to fit just about any mood you’re in. This time, Danse Macabre brings out the darker side (yet still very much fun) of Duran Duran’s music.

The term “Danse Macabre” a French phrase, translates to “dance of death”. In this dance, the living and the dead dance together. It is a reminder that death is inevitable.

While death isn’t really the topic of this album, the songs of this album reflect somewhere between the living and the dead. As one listens, they really are caught up in a “danse macabre”.

Some of the tracks on this album are classic Duran Duran songs reimagined, others are remakes of well known artists including The Talking Heads and The Rolling Stones, while others, such as the title track, “Danse Macabre” are completely new.

Nightboat

With its dark and haunting beginning that gradually builds up throughout the song, “Nightboat” eases us into Duran Duran’s new album and sets the tone. It’s actually a remake of their original version of “Nightboat” which was released in 1981. When it begins, its almost as if the listener is about to hear an eerie story about a nightboat. I can imagine waiting for the nightboat itself to appear a midst the fog, emerging from bending trees over a river.

Black Moonlight

This has to be one of the most lively dance tunes out of this whole album. The upbeat tracks mixed with the more somber or darker ones really balances the overall tone of the whole album.

Love Voudou

This song starts out slow with a somewhat somber tone but gains some seriously groovy momentum in no time. The beats are steady and hold an all too catchy tempo that’s easy to get lost into.

Bury a Friend

Duran Duran did their own take on Billy Eilish’s “Bury a Friend”. This song brings out more of the rock version of Duran Duran. It’s one of many songs that proves that Duran Duran is always open with experimenting with new music.

Supernature

This song pairs steady and alluring lyrics with a fast paced background tempo. It’s another song on this album that starts out slow but develops some serious momentum as it progresses.

Danse Macabre

The track title of this album, I had to listen to this song twice for it to grow on me.

The first time I listened to this song, all I could think was, “What is this?” with a rather perplexed look. I listened to it a second time. Hey, this is actually catchy. I kind of like it. The third time and on: Okay. actually … I really like this new track!

It has elements of fun and quirkiness mixed with elements of mystery and intrigue pairing it well to the whole Danse Macabre theme.

Secret Oktober 31st

The intro of this song is the sound of winding up and listening to a music box. The very music box you might find in an attic, long forgotten, but nonetheless valuable. The intro itself is pleasant and the lyrics are comforting and assuring.

Ghost Town

With a near hypnotizing and alluring intro, this is an excellent remake of the original “Ghost Town” by The Specials released in 1981. I love how Duran Duran emphasized the original tone of this song and made it their own.

Paint It Black

When I heard that Duran Duran was going to do a remake of the Rolling Stone’s “Paint It Black”, I was more than eager to hear their version. “Paint It Black” is one of my top favorite Rolling Stones songs and I wondered if Duran Duran do it justice?

It took about three listens to really emerge myself in the song. Maybe it’s because, understandably, I’m used to the original Rolling Stones version. Duran Duran nonetheless did a phenomenal job in making this classic song all their own. “Paint It Black” is another song that brings out the heavier rock side of Duran Duran.

Super Lonely Freak

This song features a familiar 80’s style vibe. I’m not from the 80’s era, but I can still imagine that this song would fit in quite well if it were released back then. The second half of the song gives the listener quite a surprise — a Duran Duran remake of Rick James’ “Super Freak”. As the song fades into Duran Duran’s version of “Super Freak, it’s like the most amusing and entertaining person yet just walked into a party and livened it up even more.

Spellbound

This song has a slow and steady intro but shifts into a fast paced beat in no time. The beats move you forward to continue listening until the very end just as if you were being spellbound.

Psycho Killer

Here is another remake I was excited to hear. The Talking Heads did the song in such a lively and witty way, I wondered just how different Duran Duran’s version would be. Duran Duran took this song, put their own twist on it and made it their own.

Confessions in the Afterlife

This song starts out slow and builds up to a song that’s melodic and comforting. Simon Le Bon’s vocals are especially reassuring and comforting.

“Confessions in the Afterlife” is a rather fitting way to conclude this album. In a way, it’s a reassurance of the afterlife. Just as the dance with death, Dance Macabre has shown us, death is inevitable but is not the end (if you believe in an afterlife) and should not be feared.

This album proves that after 40 plus years and 16 albums later, Duran Duran still has it and even more so, is not afraid to experiment with new genres and sounds.

If you haven’t had the chance, I highly recommend you give Duran Duran’s latest album a listen. Whether you are a casual or hard core Duran Duran fan. Or even if you just like spooky things, like Halloween. Because that’s what this new album is all about.