Prior to the release of “Random Access Memories”, Daft Punk finally gave their patient fans a new single after eight years of absence, titled: “Get Lucky”. Its neo-Disco sound mixed with Pharrell Williams’ stylish, minimal beats couldn’t help but became an instant hit, and Daft Punk’s biggest one yet. But when such a single is released, it puts heavy expectation on its parent album, especially an album that arrived numerous years after its predecessor. If that doesn’t already sound like another high-profile release of 2013 (Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience” should come to mind), then look at the album title itself: “Random Access Memories” (RAM). It carries the implication that this isn’t going to be a straightforward dance album that Daft Punk has always capitalized on. It indicates that they are seeking inspiration from an older era of dance music (whereas Timberlake focused on the 40s-60s, Daft Punk concentrated on the 70s-80s). Indeed, all of the above statements are true, and as the album progresses through its 13 tracks, you’ll realize only one problem about releasing this dance album in the EDM era: this doesn’t sound like EDM at all.
A decision to make a dance album that doesn’t stick to the dance trends of its era is definitely a bewildering one, as Daft Punk have always been dance artists, so it would have been no surprise to hear there sparse, electronic vocals over house, breakbeats, bubbling electronics, and blunted trip-hop beats. Instead, they decided to go for something not as painstakingly current, they built “Random Access Memories” to last, not instantly satisfy. However, in that quest, Daft Punk did the impossible: they created a sturdy, catchy, and melodic record that is both timeless and it instantly catches your eye. Nothing on the album is nearly as easy to consume as “Get Lucky”, but the hooks are still there, and they suck you into the songs for the entire record. Also intriguing is the sheer length of the album: 13 tracks and 74 minutes seems tiring at first, but once you start the record it never once loses your interest. If there’s one thing that Daft Punk knows how to do, it’s making an album that’s fully formed and colorful, never playing it safe. Indeed, “RAM” is one of their most daring albums to date, as they work with a number of collaborators, the best pairing comes when Pharrell is allowed to add his hip-hop grooves to “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance”. All of the vocals from the main band members are all twisted through a vocoder, and in addition to their usual electronica, they’ve included, of all things, a children’s choir in “Doin’ It Right”, a full orchestra in both “Beyond” and “Motherboard”, and the biggest risk it takes is being a dance album in the age of robotic synths and where the beats take prominence over the melody. Daft Punk isn’t looking for a crossover success, nor are they really starving for an audience beyond their niche, they simply want, as the first track indicates, to “Give Life Back to Music”. Yeah this album has plenty of machines at work, but it doesn’t feel robotic, it has a tangible character that’s been missing in so many dance/pop albums of the 2010s. Albums like this prove that dance music can have emotion without feeling mushy, and “RAM” survives without all the steel and cluttering of drum machines. These are all melodically sound songs where the beats don’t overpower, they take the backseat in order for the hooks to catch hold. Granted, not every single song is instantaneous, you’ll have to work your way through “Giorgio by Moroder” and “Touch”, know the lay of the land, before they finally catch hold. But these moments are far and in between in an otherwise indelible dance album. The best part of “RAM” is that not only isn’t the best album Daft Punk has ever created, it can please all audiences, it’s proudly human, and once it’s finished, it basically begs you to put it back on.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Give Life Back to Music2. The Game of Love 3. Giorgio by Moroder
4. Within 5. Instant Crush 6. Lose Yourself to Dance
7. Touch 8. Get Lucky 9. Beyond
10. Motherboard 11. Fragments of Time 12. Doin’ It Right
13. Contact
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