Monday 22 February 2021

Daft Punk - Adieu, Au Revoir...

So this is how it ends for Daft Punk. Not with a whimper but a bang. 

I can't think of an act in recent years - if ever - who have raised the profile of French music to such an international level. 

Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter's legacy is incomparable, a swathe of awards, an iconic international hit, and a visual identity that would make Kraftwerk jealous just being some of the high points in a career that covered four albums, a soundtrack and some absolutely classic records.

But 2013's  Random Access Memories looks like their last full album. Work since then has included co-producing Kanye West's Yeezus, an unreleased track featuring Jay-Z,  performing on Pharrell's  G.I.R.L. album and The Weeknd's Starboy and I Feel It Coming hits.

While these were probably the kind of side projects that would be the high point of many artists' careers, it has been a relatively quiet period. No tours, no further soundtracks despite occasional rumours.

Footage from their 2006 Electroma film makes it clear they've reached the end of the road. Thomas Bangalter goes out with a bang. A slow-motion desert explosion that's as cinematic as anything in Zabriskie Point.

Their work as individual producers will no doubt continue, but we'll miss France's favourite metallic headed house robots.