John Duff has officially released his highly anticipated album “Greatest Hits (Deluxe Edition)” today, bringing a bold, genre-defying body of work to music lovers everywhere. Known for his cheeky, overtly gay-themed hits, Duff steps into a new realm with this project, exploring his artistic roots and paying homage to the golden eras of American music. This acts as the follow-up to his previous EP release, titled “Clothes Back On”.
The album is a unique blend of sounds from the 1950s to the 1970s, incorporating influences from Motown, doo-wop, gospel, disco, and the Great American Songbook. Duff’s signature modern themes are weaved into these classic sounds, creating something that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
For Duff, this album marks a pivotal moment in his career. Known for provocative visuals and bold, unapologetic tracks, he admits that his previous work sometimes overshadowed his true skills as a songwriter and vocalist. “I was starting to feel boxed in,” Duff explains. “And I have always hated boxes. I found it difficult to get producers to follow my lead in LA. They wanted to push me in a direction they thought was ‘cool,’ but I’ve never been interested in being cool. My primary interest is in being creative.”
The turning point for the album came when Duff was offered creative freedom by producers Eren Cannata, who has worked with Demi Lovato, and Koil PreAmple, who has collaborated with Timbaland, both of whom he had previously worked with. Together, they spent time in Laurel Canyon drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Janis Joplin, The Temptations, and Judy Garland. The result is a sound that cannot be easily pinned down to any one genre, with Duff’s penchant for theatricality shining through.
This album is more than just a collection of “hits”; it’s a concept-driven piece of art from an artist who never existed—except in Duff’s wild imagination. The title alone is tongue-in-cheek with it being misleading whilst also holding intrigue and suspense, enticing all who stumble across it to check it out and give it a listen.
The album starts with “Prove Me Wrong” which effortlessly showcases Duff’s awesome vocals from the get-go with just subtle instruments in the background to keep the rhythm of the track. As the backing track lights up with sound, Duff beams with strength and passion, especially when the chorus hits. Powerful and addictive, he then takes it up a notch with impressive vocal runs and a strength inside like no other.
“Suzy Cutie” follows next, keeping with the overall feel of the album while adding experimental to the mix, at times. The passionate lyrics expand the track thoroughly. Midway through the track, the brass band takes the spotlight for a short segment. There’s clear inspiration from the 1960s with a bit of swing thrown in. Catchy and pleasing, this is certainly one to add to your chilled playlists.
The third track is “Nobody To Love” which sees Duff start off with a lower register, consistently showing his impressive vocal abilities. As it progresses it transforms into a bright positive number that centres around a sad lyrical narrative about wanting this one person to love him. Heartfelt and meaningful, this one packs a punch.
Next up is “Forgotten How to F*ck,” which kicks off with Duff’s strong vocals against a bold big-band melody. The chorus hooks listeners instantly, with flawless rhymes and a tongue-in-cheek narrative that makes it hard to forget. Addictively catchy, the song keeps a lively jazz-inspired backing while Duff cleverly discusses post-pandemic nerves and the fear of forgetting how to make love.
While that track is probably a standout for all the right reasons, it makes it a difficult act to follow so we’re not surprised to see “Hoe is Life” as the next track which is a collaboration with Lillias White. Drums take the spotlight from the start and continue all through the first verse as Duff showcases his impressive vocal runs. Hand claps are added as he suggests that his lover needs to learn to share as he likes to sleep around. With a country-inspired melody that perfectly suits his vocals, it leaves listeners hoping for more country elements in future tracks. White’s stunning backing vocals arrive two-thirds in, adding a hoedown vibe that elevates the song even further.
Track six is “Wading”, which starts with lyrical rhymes that show his passion for the song before the first verse kicks in. Another addictive chorus follows bringing a unique vocal twist that we haven’t heard from him yet, once again Duff showcases his undeniable versatility as an artist. The deep big band backing track adds to his deep vocals, especially during the catchy chorus. The lyrics touch upon wading in water and hoping for someone to come and save him, he seems lost, at a dead end in a relationship that he’s not sure is going to last. It’s a powerful track that is highly relatable to all who listen.
“Be Your Girl” follows next, a Broadway-inspired theatrical number that acted as his official first single from this new album. As expected, the storytelling narrative of the lyrics is effortless and you can hear his expressive vocals in every sentence, He delves into wanting to make his dreams come true and be the girl for this guy he has fallen for. It’s a track that is set to resonate with the LGBTQ+ community as we’ve all been there and we all get it.
Leading on from that is “Housewife”, which brings big band vibes surrounded by jazz-induced melodies with an outcome of a retro-inspired rhythm that compliments Duff’s superb vocals. His runs are always impressive but they are next level as he sings the main lyric, “I tried to make a housewife of a whore.” The narrative suggests he didn’t succeed and the relationship he had with this person didn’t work out the way he had hoped. Engaging and relatable, this classic-style jazz number makes an impact that sticks with the listener.
Ending the album is “Clothes Back On”, a faultless and impressive ballad that allows John Duff to bring his dynamic voice and faultless vocal runs. Probably the most emotional track on the album, Duff’s vocals are accompanied by piano chords that are gentle and subtle allowing his voice to completely take the spotlight. The song then switches up to a fast-paced beat with swing and jazz-inspired melodies while Duff continues to bring soul into his voice. The lyrics paint a story of a twisty metaphor of feeling alone both in a relationship and in the public eye with over 100,000 hearts (possibly in reference to his 115,000 Instagram followers?). It’s an introspective end to a brilliant album.
At its core, “Greatest Hits (Deluxe Edition)” is a reflection of Duff’s personal journey, from the lessons he learned from his parents to the aspirations of his younger self. In a nod to the past, Duff contemplated releasing the album under a pseudonym inspired by his grandfather’s boxing name, Young Bobby Burns, but ultimately chose to stick with his own. This decision underscores how personal this album is for Duff—a creative milestone that also marks an evolution in his artistry.
Supported by a team of top-tier musicians, including Grammy Award-winning pianist Dave Yaden, “Greatest Hits (Deluxe Edition)” pushes musical boundaries with live instrumentation and intricate arrangements. The album bucks the trend of overly-produced tracks, opting instead for a more authentic and maximalist sound.
As Duff looks to the future, he’s eager to move beyond the persona he crafted for “Greatest Hits (Deluxe Edition)”. While this album has been a transformative chapter in his career, he’s ready to explore other facets of his identity. “If I can write songs like this, I can do anything,” Duff confidently says.
“Greatest Hits (Deluxe Edition)”, by John Duff, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, distributed by Vydia. Whether you’re a fan of Duff’s past work or new to his sound, this album promises to keep you on your toes as he continues to challenge expectations in the music world.