DAFT PUNK レコード& CD

Review: It's difficult to ignore the sobering realisation that the swan song LP from French robo-duo Daft Punk is already celebrating its ten year anniversary. Although divisive amongst their fan base, the organic instrumentation and compositional homage to retro disco still feels like an artistic endeavour the pair of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo needed to add to their back-catalogue before graciously bowing out (or powering down) on their own terms. Following an expansive deluxe edition released earlier in the year, this drumless version strips away any and all notable percussion to offer the velvety basslines, glistening synths and lush grooves a chance to take centre-stage. With re-imagined approaches to hits such as 'Instant Crush' (featuring The Strokes' Julian Casablancas) as well as the plethora of Pharrell Williams collaborative bangers from 'Lose Yourself To Dance' to the once inescapable 'Get Lucky' (also featuring Nile Rodgers of Chic), this project is a unique and vital addition for lifers, newcomers and boogie enthusiasts alike.

Review: Daft Punk may have put away their robot heads for good, but interest in their work and legacy remains high (as the recent announcement of a slew of books about them proves). It's for this reason that it's little surprise to see 2003 odds-and-ends album Daft Club get the reissue treatment. For the most part, what we get is remixes of tracks from the then-fresh Discovery LP, with highlights including the Neptunes' deep, warming, electro-meets-hip-hop revision of 'Harder, Better, Faster, Sronger' (complete with additional Pharrell vocals), a hard and loopy 'French touch' revision of 'Face To Face' from Demon, Slum Village's woozy electronic hip-hop take on 'Aerodynamic', a carnival-ready Basement Jazz tweak of Homework fave 'Phoenix' and a beat-less, guitar-and-voice cover of 'One More Time' courtesy of Romanthony.

Review: So, after all the hype, social media arguments and YouTube parodies, here it is: the most talked about dance album of 2013. By now you should all know the story: Daft Punk do old-fashioned disco-pop with the help of a legion of high profile guests and collaborators. So is Random Access Memories any good? Certainly, it's a fine pop album; lavishly produced fare with an authentic, organic swing that benefits enormously from Chic man Nile Rodgers' distinctive guitar work. At it's best, such as on the goodtime disco rush of "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance" (both featuring agorgeous vocals for Pharrell Williams), or the quirky but brilliant "Girorgio by Moroder", it's impeccable.