For a band that was originally laughed at due to a perception that they were more concerned about image and clothes, Duran Duran is having the last laugh as they are still making music thirty years down the road. The English band’s latest is called Paper Gods and is a collection of effervescent tracks. They have brought on board their longtime producer/collaborator Nile Rogers and fellow Brit Mark Ronson to help them with the sound/direction. Plus the fantastic Janelle Monae, guitarist John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Canadian Kiesza and an odd yet not so strange contribution by Lindsay Lohan. On the surface it seems, just like their guests, to be a hodge podge of variety but when you listen to the songs all together you will realize there is a unified sound going on. What you also quickly gather is that they were not going the safe route of just recreating their biggest hits. The music here is a result of evolution and exploration. Leaps are taken. Standouts include the over seven minute long title cut “Paper Gods” which is song that will grow on you more and more with each listen and “You Kill Me With Silence”. On the deluxe version you get extra tracks like “Planet Roaring”, “Valentine Stones” and “Northern Lights”.