Like it or not, the return of Daft Punk represents the hottest dance music release in years, coming off the back of a spectacularly effective PR campaign. All of this has shown the album as a format is still alive and kicking, and that it remains possible to keep an element of mystery, even in a world where personalities get the close and relentless scrutiny of social media. Daft Punk will forever keen a barrier between us and them as long as they keep their robot faces, and that forms part of their appeal.
But what of the music? One thing is certain – Random Access Memories is going to divide opinion! For one thing, it is surprisingly soft – in a way that even recalls 10CC and Supertramp at times. We don’t hear the robotic voices or the autotune as much, so it is, ironically, more ‘human after all’ than their last release. This is also down to the stellar bass playing of Nile Rogers, who makes the funk a lot more fluid.
The Pharrell Williams-fronted ‘Get Lucky’ remains the album’s trump card, and is surely the catchiest single we’re likely to hear all year, but don’t underestimate the power of the other songs to make themselves known after repeated hearings, which is when the album fully makes its mark. Pharrell’s other contribution, ‘Lose Yourself To Dance’, works well with its tougher beat and vocal calling card, while ‘Touch’, with Paul Williams, is ridiculously feelgood as well. Julian Casablancas’ contribution ‘Instant Crush’ is quite soft but has a winning melody, while the guest slots of Giorgio Moroder, Panda Bear and Todd Edwards are all strong contributions. ‘Giorgio by Moroder’ is in fact the most random of the album tracks, with freeform drum fills and some impressive synth sounds.
Random Access Memories should dispense enough good feeling to make up for any lack of a summer that we might have here in the UK. Its production is very classy, with nice touches of humour and positivity, and while it might not be the last word in dance music, or even the leap forward many were hoping for from the French duo, it is still very good, standing a class above most of its rivals.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
