‘Possibly their finest work since 1993’

Two years after the underachieving Red Carpet Massacre album, 1980s idols Duran Duran return with their 13th offering.

Although it was released digitally in the second half of December, preceded by the free single download of the title track on iTunes, the official CD format will come out in mid-February, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Birmingham band’s first release.

Trivia aside, All You Need is Now is a welcome and surprising collection of songs that far outshine the band’s output in recent years, and is quite possibly their finest work since 1993’s outstanding Wedding Album.

From start to finish – that’s nine songs or 40-something minutes – this album oozes a progressive essence that weaves its way in between tunes that revive Duran’s Rio-funk, revisit the electro-pop of their era and, on the magnificent ballad Leave a Light On, for example, reflect a band totally in touch with its roots but with an eye still firmly focused on the future.

Boosting Duran Duran’s triumphant return, Scissor Sister Ana Matronic appears on Safe (In the Heat of the Moment) while Kelis pops up in the background on The Man who Stole a Leopard.

The biggest boost, however, comes in the shape of Mark Ronson, whose magic fingers previously propelled the likes of Amy Winehouse and Kaiser Chiefs to fame and fortune. Don’t go expecting any of his typical heavy brass/soul inflections here, though; it’s his presence that seems to have been the main inspiration on All You Need is Now.

Welcome back, Duran Duran!

CD reviewed by courtesy of www.exotique.com.mt