Random Access Memories
Columbia Records
Producer: Daft Punk
Score:10 out of 10
Fresh off taking over a Coachella festival they didn’t even attend, Daft Punk are back to “Give Life Back To Music.” Possibly the most-anticipated album in electronic music history, Bangalter and Homem-Christo bring in an all-star cast including Pharrell Williams, Nile Rogers, Giorgio Moroder, Julian Casablancas and composer Paul Williams. With very little sampling involved (only in the album-ending “Contact”) Random Access Memories is a different approach for Daft Punk—instead featuring live drums, groovy guitars and funky bass lines. Club numbers like “Lose Yourself To Dance” and “Get Lucky” play their role while more intimate tracks, like the ballad “Beyond,” evoke fresh emotions for long-time fans.
–Andy Mesecher
