Chrissie Hynde has launched a new six-part series that takes listeners inside the making of her latest album, Chrissie Hynde & Pals – Duets Special.
The Duets Special Podcast with Chrissie Hynde, co-hosted by journalist Gareth A Davies, explores the stories, songs, and collaborators behind the record.
Featuring 13 duets with artists including Rufus Wainwright, kd lang, Debbie Harry, Shirley Manson, Brandon Flowers, and the late Mark Lanegan, the album celebrates great melodies through stripped-back arrangements and refined instrumentation.
Speaking on the podcast, Hynde recalls how the idea for the project began with a casual chat with Jörn Weisbrodt, husband of Rufus Wainwright.
“I said maybe Rufus and I should do an album together,” she explained. “He loved the idea. Then I realised I knew a lot of singers, and it became Duets Special.”
Hynde also reflects on performing with The Killers at Brixton Academy and recording I’m Not In Love with Brandon Flowers.
“That was a tricky one,” she said. “It had so much in the production that defined it, but we stripped it back and Brandon delivered.”
Critics have praised Duets Special as one of Hynde’s most captivating releases. MOJO awarded it four stars, The Arts Desk gave it five, and The Sunday Times Culture named it Album of the Week.
BBC Radio 2 also selected it as Album of the Week, following Hynde’s special Piano Room performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
The podcast offers fans an intimate insight into Hynde’s creative process and the personal stories behind her collaborations. The album is available via Parlaphone.
The Duets Special Podcast with Chrissie Hynde is available now on all major podcast platforms.
