One More Time – Daft Punk (2000)
There have been times when additions to this playlist have come due to the passing of a figure in the music world such as Avicii and Philippe Zdar (from Cassius). A few weeks ago, the news came that the band Daft Punk (Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter) had disbanded. Not a death as such, but the emotional outpouring and surge in sales was similar.
As sad as it is, it’s also a good reason to mark the occasion and celebrate their music. There are already a few Daft Punk tunes or side projects on this list – Around the World/ Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger and Music Sounds Better With You.
As mentioned in the Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger post (the 4th track on the list), if there was one gig from the past I could go to, it would be Daft Punk from the Alive 2007 tour. I may now never get to see them now. Maybe for the reunion tour! I stated that Music Sounds Better With You – may have to be in the top 3 dance tunes of all time!
I’ve read many comments sections following the band’s announcement. Those who discovered them via their first album, Homework and its breakout tune, Da Funk, think they have never made a good tune since. The album includes Around the World, that in my mind, is a work of crazy genius, including it’s video. The fun and bliss of their second album, Discovery, four years later broke them into the top of the charts and found them a new audience.
Human After All, their third album, made as a counterpoint to Discovery and about where the duo where in their lives at the time. Bangalter himself stated that the album was “about this feeling of either fear or paranoia” and “not something intended to make you feel good”. It is not the most listenable album, but Alive 2007 live show changed everything, and made me, like many, reassess the album.
The 8 years wait for their final album Random Access Memories (not including the Tron Legacy soundtrack) put them at the very top of the pop charts with its lead single, Get Lucky topping the charts in over thirty countries and becoming one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. The album is lush and beautiful but doesn’t have the instant OMG moments from the first three.
The title of the post gives away the tune I’ve selected. Discovery is my favourite album and One More Time is an unadulterated joy. I bought the CD single the week I headed out to France for 6 months of a winter season. The song became my and my workmate’s song that defined our season. Jumping around basement nightclubs with people who suddenly felt like your best friends. It also had the convenience that French DJs were likely to have a copy, due to the band’s popularity in their native country.
It’s an absolute cracker with the horns, booming kick and its epic two-minute breakdown. Especially good when running sprints or efforts and you have to go again.
Further Reading
Daft Punk Tribute Mix – Producer and DJ, Dance System put together 30 minute Daft Punk tribute mix that is excellent and available here on Soundcloud.
Film – Eden (2014) – Mia Hansen-Løve’s drama following Paul, a DJ and producer through early 90s Paris to the noughties. Paul, dedicated to garage music forms a duo with friend Stan around the same time as two of his friends Guy-Man and Thomas form a similar DJ duo. Containing cameos from the actual Guy-Man and Thomas without the robot helmets, and a fictional account of them nervously dropping Da Funk at their own house party. Also, including an excellent running joke that they are repeatedly refused entry to clubs, until someone points out who they are. Peter Bradshaw’s review in The Guardian expands.
Daft Punk – Alive 2007 Concert Video – I didn’t think this existed, but someone has remastering and restoring the audio and video of the live show I’ve spoken about above. It’s here on YouTube. Give it a watch before it possibly gets taken down, which i hope it doesn’t.
I have since found a video from their gig in Grant Park, Chicago. The visuals are better, but the sound not as good as above.