Duran Duran

Paper Gods

(Warner)

The reflex reaction is a shrug of the shoulders. Surely Duran Duran fans don’t need another album of songs that will only get in the way of the 1980s hits on a concert set list? And aren’t up-and-comers like Glasgow’s White now claiming this musical territory with much more verve (check upcoming single Blush for evidence)?

All You Need Is Now, Duran Duran’s 2010 album, refused to think outside the box but at least it was a solid, back-to-basics collection of electro ballads and funky pop tunes caught in a time warp. Aside from a couple of guest spots, most of Paper Gods is notably poor, puffed out by filler, lost in a land where the band can’t settle into a relevant niche for the present nor risk shaking off the heritage of their past.

Even the presence of Nile Rodgers and Mark Ronson in the production booth can’t save the day, although Mr Hudson does broaden out the soundscape to match the more interesting, more cynical lyrics of the title track.

Attempts to reference a contemporary EDM sound with Kiesza’s wailing vocal on Last Night In The City are as cool as dad dancing at the disco, but at least Janelle Monae enlivens Pressure Off, possibly the only song here worth keeping.

Alan Morrison