Now that most of us can actually hear a complete track off of the new album (via youtube), I thought it might be appropriate to start a new thread...

If someone had never heard Mamouna (not to mention proto-tracks from Horoscope) I can see why they might be very excited by this track. It sounds really nice, a good groove, lots of instruments in the mix but it seems to avoid the leaden density that (at least to me) dragged down much of Olympia. And the vocals sound clear and buoyant. What's not to like?

But of course the vocals sound (paradoxically) fresh for the simple reason they were recorded some 25 years ago. Wouldn't it be great if they reflected The Voice of 2014?

I presume that LDL will be played during the tour that starts tonight. Will it be the opening track of the concert? That's the classic way to promote a new album... Or will be be buried deeper in the set? We will find out soon enough!

Well, I happened to hear it on R2 this morning and I like it, foot was tapping away. It didn't dawn on me that it was new until KB said so at the end.

Now that's out of the way....I too thought it was very much the 90's again. A thousand guitars in there somewhere with not much clarity given to anything. Imo just same old same old, heard it before. Same sound as Mamouna and most of whats come along since give or take Frantic & the Jazz thing. Time he had a new producer? He's got a new mixer!
Vocally he sounded well but when was it laid down?
Anyway, it's only my thoughts and I don't want to anger anybody.

...to my ear, not all the vocals on loop de li are decades old...listen to the 2nd verse, "ambition, no telling"....there's no way bf sounded like that on mamouna!!

Maybe there are some "recent" vocals in the mix, but they don't stand out to my ear. At least, I don't hear the gravelly whisper present in the recent Johnny and Mary for example.

The rhythm guitar is quite prominent in the mix and that likely represents some relatively recent contribution by Nile Rodgers.

I love it and I'm happy to see some of those great songs from Horoscope get finished up and finally see the light of day. By the way I looked at Avonmore Rd on google street view. Nice little street. Just wondering if the artwork of now is not a close up of a red door? One perhaps important one on Avonmore Rd.? I like it and I think it looks like a Rothko.

Just compared 'Loop De Li' to the internet bootleg of 'Your Love Has Died': Think the re-recorded version has improved by far. Catchy refrain (reminds me of 'Limbo'/'New Town'), funky guitar and a good groove. The 1'30" snippet from iTunes (can't get the YouTube video in Germany) makes me even more excited ... Avonmore in November, Stuttgart concert in December

I don't really understand the policy of publishing the song on youtube, but not offering it for sale? I've read something that it's available as download on iTunes if you preorder the album, but I'm not on iTunes, I've preordered the album on amazon.de and I can't download anything yet. So, being the junkie I am, I'm almost forced to illegally download the song from youtube

Sorry, Bryan, all I can say is: society is to blame, they made me do it, I'm a victim

Studio One has a Black Door.

I find the verse section reminiscent of NYC. It grows on you the more you listen. I think some of the lyrics have been changed from Your Love Has Died. Could it be possible that he has re-recorded the vocals on any material that has been "in storage" since the 90's?

@ Lonely Dreamer: It's available as download (€ 1,29) on iTunes ... unfortunately my account is empty. Have to wait until tomorrow

@ Roxy: I think he has re-recorded Loop De Li and changed some verses, as you remarked. Maybe the other Horoscope songs (Midnight Train, Send In The Clowns), too?