Duran Duran share an excellent animated video for their new single

Virgin Radio

16 Aug 2021, 14:16

The joyous news for fans of Duran Duran is that they have got a brand new single out. Entitled MORE JOY!, the song is a collaboration between the English new wave legends and Japanese experimental pop band CHAI. Not only that, but they’ve dropped a beautiful animated lyric video as well. 

The clip is directed by Melissa Ladybug, and has an animé aesthetic. In a statement, keyboard player Nick Rhodes said that the song, “was born out of a crazy jam with Duran Duran, Graham Coxon and Erol Alkan.” 

The keyboardist continued, “It was such an unusual piece, we weren’t quite sure if it would fit in at first. It reminded me of one of those retro Japanese video games, which I always found quite uplifting. 

“We came up with the chant ‘more joy’ early on, and that became the key to the rest of the track. We all agreed that it would sound really great with Japanese female voices on it, and that’s when Simon [Le Bon] had the inspired idea to ask CHAI if they would possibly collaborate with us. To our joy they agreed, and the result most certainly brought an incredible new energy to the song. They are so special!”

Have a look at the video clip which accompanies the single.

Japanese band CHAI were clearly excited about the collaboration, saying, “We are full of joy! When Duran Duran asked us to join their new song, we listened to it and thought 'this is lively, rock, cool and fun', and we danced! We added our voices to their rock sound, making it even more 'MORE JOY'! Because we are MORE JOY. Thank you Duran Duran!”

The song and video come in advance of Duran Duran’s much-anticipated 15th studio album, Future Past, which is due for release on October 22nd.

On the new album, the band have worked with British DJ/producer Erol Alkan and Italian composer/producer Giorgio Moroder, as well as Blur's Graham Coxon and writer/producer Mark Ronson. That sounds like quite the dream team!

Duran Duran are also hitting the road to play some tour dates later this year and next year. For information about these dates and their new record, visit the band’s official website.