Arguably the most hotly anticipated album of 2013 has arrived. After tantalizing us relentlessly with album teasers and their disco-soaked single ‘Get Lucky’, Daft Punk have streamed Random Access Memories just in time for what some are proclaiming the ‘Summer of Disco’. With such a build up, and such an impressive backlog of dance classics having been released in the past decade or so, the French duo have a lot to prove and it seems that they have achieved just that.
The album perhaps strays from previous work, employing a less heavily contemporarily electronic sound in favour of a more unashamedly retro and groove-filled record. It launches straight into riotous disco number ‘Give Life Back To Music’, unabashedly presenting Daft Punk’s intentions from the off: for a disco-centred album bringing life and a reason to dance back to the music for the masses. Certainly, the disco theme is maintained throughout, with enough variation between tracks to keep it interesting. There are, however, a few tracks some may find rather challenging. “Giorgio by Moroder” is a multi-faceted, at times confusing track, consisting of Italian dance veteran Giorgio Moroder’s voicing of his life history to the accompaniment of a track reminiscent of Daft Punk’s previous work for the Tron soundtrack. It will not be to everyone’s taste, and in some ways is overly long, but adds an interesting dimension to the album and will surely be a highlight for many.
As well as Giorgio, the band have managed to get an impressive selection of musical greats to appear on the album, including Julian Casablancas, Panda Bear, Paul Williams and, of course, Pharrell Williams, who provides us with arguably the best track on the album, ‘Get Lucky’. Although it may not be fashionable to proclaim that the initial single to be released from the album is the best one, it still seems to be the most instantly gratifying and enjoyable one. There are more laid-back tracks for those with desire for the kind of subdued funk so fitting for summer, with ‘Lose Yourself To Dance’ (another track courtesy of the inimitable Williams) perhaps being the best of these.
Overall the album seems to have lived up to its hype, although its longevity is perhaps questionable. While Daft Punk’s previous albums have produced dance classics, the more retro and risqué elements of their latest output may not embed themselves so much in musical history. Either way, hopefully this summer will see people losing themselves to dance, and the disco-drenched sounds of Daft Punk.
8/10