New wave forebears Duran Duran are coming out with a new album in October titled Future Past. Today, we get to take our first ride on that time machine with the single “More Joy,” which, unexpectedly, features Japanese quartet CHAI. “More Joy” opens with perky keyboard ornamentation, while CHAI’s vocal shorts burst in the background like a neon-lit vibrancy.
“The song ‘More Joy’ was born out of a crazy jam with Duran Duran, Graham Coxon, and Erol Alkan,” DD keyboardist Nick Rhodes shared. “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 an incredible new energy to the song. They are so special!”
“We are full of joy!,” CHAI added. “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!”
Listen to “More Joy” below, and pre-order Future Past here.
