For the last few days I’ve been absorbed in a deep dive into
the realm of disco while preparing a playlist for an upcoming party. Disco is a
very misunderstood genre- nowadays mostly associated with the “worst” of 70’s
music, polyester clothing and John Travolta. But it was an incredibly
subversive style- a haven for African-Americans, gays, and other marginalized
groups to take center stage. It also has a lot more to offer musically and
technically than is frequently thought of. Probably the last great
horn-dominant music style (ok, ska, but…), and a treasure trove of
underappreciated guitar work.
But enough about the 70’s. Disco hasn’t fared particularly
well in the ensuing decades. It’s influence is undeniable (hello, house music),
and the four on the floor endures because it’s ability to make the human body
move is one of the strongest forces on earth. But there are few contemporary
artists working in the true disco sound. The Norwegian pair of Todd Terje and
Lindstrøm have made both made interesting stuff in their slowed-down “space
disco” sound, but the kings are the French duo Daft Punk. And in Random Access Memories they decided to
double down on their influences and make a true disco album. And they hit it
out of the park. The guitar lines are funky, the guest spots are super strange
and super on point, and, most importantly, this record makes you move. Both Pharrell tracks
If there’s any downside to the album, it’s that
the abundance of out of flow interludes limit its ability to be played straight
through at a party. Giorgio Moroder’s interview, the opening credits flourish
on “Beyond,” whatever is going on in “Touch”- all are great little parts and I
wouldn’t want them taken away, but they require a little editing to prep the tracks
for the dancefloor. Beyond this most minor of quibbles however, the album is
note-perfect, so I’ll breathlessly mention a few more highlights: that intro to
“Contact,” Julian Casablancas’ incredible feature on “Instant Crush” (“kinda
counted on you being a friend…”), that stomping beat on “Lose Yourself to
Dance.” This album owns. 10/10
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