Review: Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories"

               The men of Daft Punk thrive off of mystery: in fact they’ve built a career upon the unknown. It is fitting, then, that the details of the French dance duo’s fourth LP, titled Random Access Memories (Columbia/ Daft Life) have been shrouded in ambiguity. The frenzied quest to uncover information about the album began when Saturday Night Live began airing short clips of a shimmering Daft Punk logo, with what would become the lead single “Get Lucky" playing in the background. Longer clips were released, featuring the helmeted-pair themselves along with RAM guest Pharrell Williams and finally, a post on the video-sharing app Vine, featuring the complete tracklist, along with the names of the many guests featured on the album. Leading up to the late-May release date, the duo, comprised of Frenchmen Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, have been releasing videos highlighting the collaborators Daft Punk have worked with in recording and producing the album, featuring the likes of Nile Rodgers, Panda Bear, from Animal Collective, and Giorgio Morodor.

                The opening track “Give Life Back to Music” immediately warns the listener of a new direction, one that is constant throughout the entire album. After opening with an arena-rock riff, the tune settles into a loose groove of guitar, keys, and live drums (a place Daft Punk finds themselves many times throughout RAM.) The anthemic rock returns as Chic guitar wizard makes his first appearance, peppering the opening track with his signature sound.

                “The Game of Love” features a style almost non-existent in today’s power-pop EDM: a ballad. On the track, Daft Punk’s recognizable Auto-Tuned vocals lilt over a steady, percussive beat.  “Giorgio by Morodor” features Moroder, an Italian songwriter/ producer, himself. The song is a tribute to the title’s namesake, who has collaborated with stars such as late disco singer Donna Summer. The track features spoken-word vocals by the producer, who recounts his first experiences with making music.

                “Instant Crush” featuring Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, could be easily mistaken for Top 40 pop, and features vocals from Casablancas that balance both the soulful side of his voice, along with slight “pitch-correction” Auto-Tune throughout.  The lyrics detail a complicated relationship, with a refreshing guitar solo further reinforcing the emphasis on live instrumentation. “Lose Yourself to Dance” features the album’s standout guest, Pharrell Williams, urging the listener to “Take a break/ Lose yourself to dance” in his smooth falsetto, over a supporting rhythm of guitars, handclaps, and drums.

                The lead single and standout track ‘Get Lucky” has been circulating under the radar as the background music for the cryptic SNL ads, and features Williams as lead vocalist.  The track settles into a fantastic groove from the start, and features the talented vocals of Williams. “Get Lucky” is perhaps the shining tribute to classic 70’s and 80’s disco/dance music, featuring the catchy chorus “She’s up all night to the sun/ I’m up all night to get some/ She’s up all night for good fun/ We’re up all night to get lucky.”

                “Contact”, Random Access Memories’ closing track, begins with shimmering keyboards, and features the album’s only sample- a recording from an outer space launch.  The track picks up speed, featuring stellar drum fills, and arpeggiated synthesizers. RAM ends with a bang, the sounds of a space shuttle departing from Earth, which highlights the instrumentals, building tension and suspense throughout an explosive song.

                Daft Punk’s last “unofficial” release, the soundtrack to the 2010 film Tron: Legacy was met with mixed reviews, but the duo took time to craft their fourth LP into an excellent release. Random Access Memories marks a distinct change from the sound on 1997’s Homework and 2001’s Discovery, albums which produced such hits as “Around the World” and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” Bangalter and Homem-Christo laid the groundwork for what Electronic Dance Music has become today, yet with one time-warping release, they have rewritten the rules of dance music. David Guetta and Calvin Harris take note- Daft Punk is back, and ready to reclaim their genre. Overall, Random Access Memories is an essential album, highlighting Daft Punk’s musical creativity and versatility. Listen to "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams below.

~TJM

    

Style: Pickups from Vans, Enjoi, and Modern Amusement

         A trip to the Springfield Mall brought some solid additions to my Spring/Summer wardrobe. I picked up some Vans Authentic Lo Pro shoes, a fantastic Modern Amusement short-sleeve button down shirt, some mid-calf socks (they were 3 for $10 at Zumiez!) and a couple other necessities (namely some AE polos.)

         I'll begin by saying this: after wearing the same two pairs of shoes for the better part of two years, it's great to have a fresh pair of shoes for the summer. I was looking for a pair of simple, casual summer shoes and found such in the Canvas Authentic Lo Pros. The Lo Pros feature a "lower profile" (hence the name) which essentially means thinner soles and a more fitted construction, especially around the toe area. This line strikes a nice balance with the Canvas Classics, and they've felt great over the past weeks. The company bills the shoe as more "feminine" then the Classics, but the only difference is feel, not necessarily look (I'm not too concerned anyway- Vans are a pretty unisex choice.)  I decided on the black/white colorway, and have found the shoes to be the perfect spring footwear choice.

          Arguably the most unique/exciting pickup is the Modern Amusement Diner Short Sleeve Woven Shirt. I had been hoping to find a 'hip' floral shirt for the summer months and have been coming up empty-until I paid a visit to Pacific Sunwear. The shirt is black with an all-over floral pattern (pictures below.) It's incredibly comfortable, and slimmer throughout the torso, giving the shirt some contour. The Modern Amusement button-up is bold enough for a somewhat-confidently dressing guy, without looking like someone raided a musical's prop closet.

         Finally, I was looking to pair the Vans with some mid-calf tube socks, and found just the right pair(s) at Zumiez. The store has a larger selection on their website, but I was able to find what I was looking for in the store. The socks were 3 for $10 ($4.99 each), so I picked up two pairs by Enjoi, and one pair by Vans. From Enjoi, I picked up the "Smells Bad White Crew Socks," a white pair of socks with black stripes at the top, "enjoi" printed on the back, and a black toe/heel cup area. Completing the look is the quirky (albeit appropriate) phrase "smells bad" written across the foot bed of the socks. Also from Enjoi are the 'American Socko Black Crew Socks." The socks feature an awesome panda graphic that takes cues from the Misfits' classic logo. From Vans comes the "Kabby Rasta Crew Socks", which feature a red, yellow and green color pattern, with a checkerboard "Vans" logo at the top of the socks. Overall, it was a successful trip. I was able to add some great pieces to my Summer wardrobe and have some killer conversations about vinyl (and Tame Impala) with the super nice Journey's employee.

Side note: A much deserved shout out to the employees of both Journey's and Zumiez. They were some really nice guys/girls who did not push any purchases and deals on me, instead we just talked about clothes and music (fitting, right?) Anyways, if you enjoyed this post, let me know in the comments! Any constructive criticism/ critiques/ compliments are always welcome!    

~TJM

From l-r: Modern Amusement Diner Short Sleeve Woven Short, Enjoi
American Socko Black Crew Socks, Vans Canvas Authentic Lo Pro shoe.

Track Review: Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" from "The Great Gatsby"

                It’s been at least three weeks since my last post, and since I have some extra time today, I am hoping to get at least two posts up this weekend.

        

           In honor of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby’s theater release today, here is a track review of Lana Del Rey’s hauntingly excellent “Young and Beautiful.” The track is one of a score (pun intended) of phenomenal songs put together for the remake’s soundtrack. The group of songs masterfully balances Top 40 pop (Fergie, Q-Tip & GoonRock’s “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)” is one example), with more vintage stylings (listen for “Love is the Drug” by Bryan Ferry & The Bryan Ferry Orchestra. ) This diversity will surely add to the film’s originality, and will play to a wide range of audiences.

                

          “Young and Beautiful” opens with melancholy piano and subtle percussion, quickly making way for Del Rey’s astounding alto, detailing “Hot summer nights, mid July/ When you and I were forever wild/ The crazy days, the city lights/ The way you’d play with me like a child.” The chorus picks up tempo, with pounding timpani and yearning strings complimenting the vocalist’s plea “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful/Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul.” While I cannot provide exact details as to the placement of the song in the film itself, the track certainly encompasses Gatsby’s themes of love, lust, loss, and extravagance. Take a listen below and drop a comment with your thoughts on the track.

~TJM