Terrifyingly ancient as I am, as well as being an almost-lifelong Duranie, there’s not much on this planet that gets my instant attention more than a John Taylor bass line. He was my first-ever Bass God, and the reason I picked up my first bass guitar when I was a teenager. Happily, the opening moment of Duran Duran’s new single, ‘Free to Love’ – another collaboration with their long time musical partner, iconic musician and producer, Nile Rodgers – drops deliciously into your ear-holes with a monster JT bass slide.
What follows is an unbridled blend of 70s disco boogaloo and 80s New Romantic synth pop, underpinned by the bass of John Taylor and drums of (unrelated) Roger Taylor. There’s funkalicious guitars, with Rodgers’ Chic-signature bouncing throughout, layers of Nick Rhodes’ synth magic, and Simon le Bon’s instantly recognisable vocals sounding, in my humble opinion, better than ever. Four decades on and I’m still a fan-girl, apparently, especially thanks to tunes like this one.
‘Free to Love’ is destined to be a dance floor anthem, and it will have you wanting to dig out the glittery disco ball and flared trousers from the dark recesses of the hall cupboard. It’s funky, groovy, and immensely joyful. Check it out and get your groove on.
Header image credit: Stephanie Pistel
