Duran Duran Release “MORE JOY!’ Featuring CHAI

English synth-pop pioneers Duran Duran show that after 50 years, they can still produce great music. Their latest single, “MORE JOY!” is very much in keeping with what fans have come to expect from Duran Duran, which is catchy pop music with superb songwriting and excellent musicianship. The song “MORE JOY!” has many of the traits of the band’s classic 80s output, but still remains relevant to today’s music scenes. Bands continue to look to Duran Duran for influence such as Japan’s CHAI who sing back-up vocals on “MORE JOY!”

“The song ‘MORE JOY!’ was born out of a crazy jam with Duran Duran, Graham Coxon, and Erol Alkan,” said keyboardist Nick Rhodes. “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 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 incredible new energy to the song. They are so special!!”
 
CHAI has been receiving a lot of attention for their innovative take on J-pop. The group has experimented with elements of dance and rock music and created what they called “neo kawaii” a more inclusive version of the Japanese cuteness that promotes individualism. Their latest album, Wink just dropped this past May on Sub Pop.

Working with Duran Duran was an honor for CHAI who released the following statement:

“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!”

A real big fan of CHAI is Duran Duran lead vocalist Simon Le Bon who stated, “Nick suggested some girlish voices on 'MORE JOY!' and I knew exactly where to find them - CHAI, post-modern, all-girl Japanese punk band, whose energy and pure sense of fun might actually blow your ears off! We are honored to have them sprinkle their pink neon magic spikey dust onto our song. Now it's 'MORE JOY!' (feat. CHAI). CHAI - beloved forever!”
 
Duran Duran has taken this focus on collaboration even further with an incredibly impressive roster of talent on their new album Future Past. In addition to CHAI, Duran Duran invited the chart-topping Swedish singer Tove Lo, rapper and Internet personality Ivorian Doll, DJ Mark Ronson, Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and renowned pianist Mike Garson to add their talents to the album. The talent producing the album is also highly impressive. Producer credit is shared by famed DJ Erol Alkan and the legendary Italian composer Giorgio Moroder. The album was mixed by the Grammy-winning Mark “Spike” Stent.

With such a fantastic line-up of talent behind Future Past, Duran Duran is set to have the most anticipated album of the year. In addition to the October 22nd release of Future Past on all digital platforms and standard CDs, the band will also release a limited-edition deluxe hardback book CD with three additional tracks. And like the name of the album, Duran Duran is both looking to the future and the past with their media. Retro fans will love that Future Past will be released on colored vinyl and cassette. Always interested in pioneering modern technology, Duran Duran will also be releasing 360 mixes of Future Past using the Sony 360 Reality Audio.

After the initial positive response from their earlier singles from the album, “Invisible” and “Give It All Up,” Duran Duran will surely impress both longtime and new fans with “MORE JOY!” The future is looking bright for Future Past and Duran.

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