Duff McKagan recently discussed Guns N’ Roses’ latest musical direction. He confirmed the band’s exploration into R&B territory with their new track “Nothin’” in an interview with Lazer 103.3.

The bassist shared insights about the band’s recent release strategy and the distinctive sound of their latest songs. He particularly highlighted the R&B influences in their newest material.

“We were putting out two groupings of two [new] songs before [various tour] legs,” McKagan said. “And we knew we were gonna tour for a long time, so I think us putting out a couple songs before full legs — I’m talking, a leg is like a year and a half — I think it was a cool thing to do. I think it was the right thing to do. It kept everything fresh all the time.”

McKagan emphasized the unique nature of the band’s latest releases. He noted their departure from previous material while maintaining the classic Guns N’ Roses identity.

“These last two [‘Atlas’ and ‘Nothin”], we kind of knew these would be the last two [songs that were reportedly first conceived during the sessions for ‘Chinese Democracy’],” he continued. “They’re different — they’re totally different songs — but it’s still definitely Guns N’ Roses.”

The bassist specifically praised the R&B elements in “Nothin’” and discussed the potential of “Atlas” as a live performance piece.

“And I think ‘Nothin” is a really cool foray into almost R&B, really a lot of space in the song,” McKagan said. “Slash’s guitar solo, I think, and Axl’s vocal on that, on ‘Nothin”, is amazing. ‘Atlas’ we’ve played live now in rehearsal and stuff, and it’s gonna be a bigger sound… It’s a big-sounding song as it is, but I think that’ll come off pretty cool live.”

This musical experimentation reflects the band’s ongoing evolution. They stay true to their hard rock roots that have defined their career for decades.

McKagan’s journey to becoming one of rock’s most recognizable bassists began with diverse influences that shaped his distinctive playing style. Paste Magazine reported that before achieving immortality as one-fourth of Guns N’ Roses, he cut his teeth on the bass stylings of Lemmy Kilmister, Paul Simonon, and Randy Rampage. These punk and hard rock influences helped establish the foundation for his aggressive yet melodic approach that would become integral to Guns N’ Roses’ sound.

The band’s willingness to explore different musical territories isn’t entirely surprising given their historical impact on rock music. Oreate AI noted that Guns N’ Roses stands alongside Queen and Metallica as one of the defining bands of the 1980s that shaped the vibrant musical landscape of that decade. Their ability to blend hard rock with innovative edges has been a hallmark of their career since their breakthrough.

The band’s approach to hard rock has always incorporated elements that push beyond traditional boundaries. TNOCS explained that their innovative approach to songwriting and performance laid the groundwork for the development of Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Blues Rock, and Jam Band genres. This experimental foundation makes their current foray into R&B territory a natural progression rather than a radical departure.

The release strategy McKagan described reflects the band’s understanding of how to maintain relevance in today’s music landscape. By releasing songs in smaller groupings before major tour legs, Guns N’ Roses keeps their material fresh while building anticipation for live performances. This approach allows them to test new sounds like the R&B influences in “Nothin’” while gauging fan reactions before committing to larger album releases.