Paper Gods
by Duran Duran
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
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  1. The Guardian
    Sep 10, 2015
    60
    If Paper Gods isn’t quite as strong throughout as 2010’s back-to-basics All You Need Is Now, Kill Me With Silence and the title track have terrific choruses and Sunset Garage beautifully honours the band’s survival.
  2. Mojo
    Aug 26, 2015
    60
    Paper Gods feels like a Duran Duran-shaped helium balloon, impressive, shiny, but oddly empty inside. [Oct 2015, p.96]
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  3. Q Magazine
    Aug 26, 2015
    60
    Despite a few missteps her and there, it's good to have them back. [Oct 2015, p.109]
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  5. Uncut
    Aug 26, 2015
    60
    While no reinvention, Paper Gods is both entertaining ad typically Duran-esque. [Oct 2015, p.75]
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  6. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 10, 2015
    50
    It’s not going to convince anyone new to pick up Duran Duran's records and it doesn’t surpass their previous work.
  7. Under The Radar
    Aug 26, 2015
    40
    [Lead single "Pressure Off" is the] lone successful endeavour in recapturing the "classic" Duran Duran sound. The rest of the album, however, is utterly characterless. [Aug-Sep 2015, p.62]

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 45
  3. Negative: 5 out of 45
  1. sk75
    Oct 26, 2015
    9
    "Paper Gods" is a great dance-pop album that sound modern and fresh, with an excellent set of songs, an excellent production and some very"Paper Gods" is a great dance-pop album that sound modern and fresh, with an excellent set of songs, an excellent production and some very special guests. Even after all these years, Duran Duran never missed their ambition to move forward and change their sound and style, to write new music and not sitting comfortably to their past glories. The result is challenging and intriguing with an album that is better than most of the big dance-pop names of the today music industry! If "Paper Gods" was an album by a young new group, critics would rave about it and it could have easily a place in the end of the years lists of 2015. So listen without prejudice and enjoy the ''guilty'' pleasures that DD can still offer us with their new release. My verdict 9/10.… Full Review »
  2. jeff2417
    Sep 11, 2015
    9
    A great follow up to 80s smash hits from Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Rio, and more. 100x better than anything else they call pop nowadays.A great follow up to 80s smash hits from Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Rio, and more. 100x better than anything else they call pop nowadays. While not perfection, certain songs like "What are the Chances" make up for any shortcomings on other tracks. 80s greatness in their 60's? I'm in. 9/10.… Full Review »
  3. Neil_B
    Sep 11, 2015
    9
    I think largely the 'professional' critics haven't listened to many Duran albums. I have. Every one. Whereas All You Need Is Now was a homageI think largely the 'professional' critics haven't listened to many Duran albums. I have. Every one. Whereas All You Need Is Now was a homage to Rio; Paper Gods takes it's influence from the best tracks from all of their albums, some of which were not singles. There are many stand out tracks: Pressure Off leans towards the sound of Medazzaland's Big Bang Generation. What Are The Chances, which for me is one of the best tracks on the album, could easily be a track on Big Thing and The Universe Alone has the huge wall of sound that was present on The Wedding Album. 9/10… Full Review »
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