Future Past (2021) - Duran Duran

Future Past is the fifteenth studio album by English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on October 22, 2021. This album marks their first collaboration with BMG and follows their 2015 release, Paper Gods.

The creation of Future Past began in November 2018 and extended through spring 2021, with recording sessions held at Tape Modern Studios and Assault and Battery Studio #2 in London. The band co-produced the album alongside notable figures such as Erol Alkan, Giorgio Moroder, and Mark Ronson. A significant addition to this project was Graham Coxon of Blur, who contributed as the guitarist, infusing the album with a fresh dynamic. 

Future Past showcases Duran Duran's signature synth-pop and art pop styles while integrating contemporary influences. The album features collaborations with artists like Tove Lo, Ivorian Doll, Japanese band Chai, and pianist Mike Garson, adding diverse textures to the soundscape.

Tracklist:

1. Invisible

2. All of You

3. Give It All Up (feat. Tove Lo)

4. Anniversary

5. Future Past

6. Beautiful Lies

7. Tonight United

8. Wing

9. Nothing Less

10. Hammerhead (feat. Ivorian Doll)

11. More Joy! (feat. Chai)

12. Falling (feat. Mike Garson)

Note: The deluxe edition includes additional tracks such as "Laughing Boy," "Velvet Newton," and "Invocation."

The lead single, "Invisible", was released on May 19, 2021, setting the tone for the album's exploration of emotional depth and contemporary themes. Other pre-release tracks include "More Joy!" featuring Chai, "Anniversary", "Tonight United", and "Give It All Up" featuring Tove Lo.

Critically, Future Past received generally favorable reviews. Clash described it as "a blast of ridiculous 80s themed fun," while musicOMH.com labeled it "a playfully flawed triumph." The Telegraph noted, "If it had come out in 1985, it would have ruled the world." 

The album cover features a colorized composite of two black-and-white photographs by Japanese photographer Daisuke Yokota. The imagery, depicting overlapping silhouettes, resonates with the album's themes of time and duality. 

While Future Past by Duran Duran is not officially associated with the Metal Gear Solid video game series, the album's lead single, "INVISIBLE," has garnered significant attention within the gaming community, particularly among Metal Gear Solid fans.

The connection emerged when fans began creating and sharing edits that combined scenes from Metal Gear Solid with "INVISIBLE" as the soundtrack. These fan-made videos highlighted thematic parallels between the song's lyrics and the narrative elements of the game, resonating with many in the community. One notable edit by TikTok user @dripsnake44 focused on the character Big Boss, aligning the song's themes with the character's storyline. This edit gained widespread popularity after being shared on Duran Duran's official TikTok account, amassing over 2 million views and 256,000 likes. 

The song's melancholic tone and lyrical content have been noted for their resemblance to Midge Ure's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World," a track prominently featured in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. This similarity has further fueled its adoption within the Metal Gear Solid community. 

While "INVISIBLE" was not composed for or officially featured in any Metal Gear Solid title, its thematic resonance and the creative efforts of fans have led to its strong association with the series, exemplifying the dynamic interplay between music and gaming communities.

Future Past stands as a testament to Duran Duran's enduring ability to evolve while staying true to their core sound. By blending nostalgic elements with modern collaborations and production techniques, the album offers both longtime fans and new listeners a rich and engaging experience.