The Cold Cut

With the populatrity of dance acts such as Simian Mobile Disco and Justice, it might seem as if Daft Punk are beginning to lose their hold on their target market- they haven't released any new material since 2004. Under the alias of Daft Punk, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo have created some seriously cool and smart electonica/dance music over the last two decades, which somehow penetrates your conscience whether you like it or not. As one of the most critically acclaimed dance acts ever (in terms of popularity and album sales) Daft Punk have produced two standout albums, Homework and Discovery, whilst their most recent material, Human After All, was really repetetive and didn't do well when it was released in September 2004. Don't let their latest album lead you into thinking the first two hit albums were produced by luck, however; these two guys aren't you're average Joe's... during their live performances they wear robot suits, and their faces have never been seen in clear view by the world (see images throughout the post of the robot suits and their anonymity). Their eccentricity really comes through in their live shows: during recent performances the band have performed in a giant pyramid (again, see pictures), not quite something I would call 'normal'....


The world-wide acclaim has caused the duo's songs to be remixed numerous times: most people in the world will have heard Kanye West's hit single Stonger by now, which samples Harder Better Faster Stronger, off of Discovery. Justice have also remixed songs, and they aren't afraid to show how much they owe to Daft Punk for pretty much inventing the French Dance Movement. Its very scary to look at how similar the two dance acts are: both are made up of two French citizens, and broke into the mainstream due to one song... Justice, though excellent, will be very lucky if they can emulate the success of Daft Punk. But before I start talking about them as if they are in the past, it is important to look at the prospects for the French Duo: due to constant remixes they are still very much in the limelight, and their live performances recently have recieved rave reviews: my brother was at the O2 festival this year and said that there performance was "the best thing he has ever seen" on a stage. With all that in mind, I doubt Daft Punk are just going to step aside and let up-and-coming bands such as Justice take over before their time is right.


I've included a few tracks below, which will hopefully give all of those who haven't heard of Daft Punk a chance to see what all the hype is about. Click the links individually to download the tracks, and be sure to buy some of Daft Punk's albums here...

Daft Punk- Harder Better Faster Stronger
Daft Punk- Technologic
Daft Punk- Digital Love

Well, I have been struggling to find a band worthy of writing about recently, after becoming completely immersed in the new Interpol album. But before I start talking about them (Again), I will talk about my latest favorite new band, The Whip. Their latest song, Divebomb, has been described by some as "the best song Daft Punk never made". Even amongst the intense competition created by other dance acts such as Simian Mobile Disco and Justice, The Whip are slowly carving out their own area of the dance music market. A four piece (3 blokes, one girl) from Manchester, there is a slow mounting buzz surrounding this band: they have received rave reviews from music outfits-NME and XFM to name a few- and their live performances are said to be "mesmerising". Well, I've been intently listening to a few tracks on a recommendation from my brother, and all six tracks I've heard have been great. There are three of the best tracks below, with Trash being the standout, and you can download them all here, or click on their respective links.

The Whip- Divebomb
The Whip- Trash
The Whip- Frustration

You can buy a 12" by the Whip here...

French dance music is very hip right now. Oh yes, Britain's greatest rivals from across the pond are churning out crossover dance hits effortlessly; most of us have heard Justice's hugely commercial single D.A.N.C.E. by now, an excellent song which will no doubt be unbelievably irritating come August. But don't for one minute think that this song came about through a bit of luck; no, Justice have got a truck load more songs to back them up, and their new album notoriously titled † has been receiving great reviews in all the major music magazines. And who can forget last years Never Be Alone, a massive hit in its own right, for which Justice were half responsible, alongside Simian Mobile Disco.

I will, without a doubt, be buying the album when it comes out: I've only heard a couple of tracks but I certainly haven't been disappointed. I suppose it is with this admission that it has fallen to Justice to be Daft Punk's natural successors as the saviours of French dance music; There's been a relatively dry spot in terms of great dance tunes since the likes of Homework and Discovery in Daft Punk's better years. Well, you only need to click the links below and download the two tracks I've include by Justice to see that this is all about to change. Enjoy, and please comment if you love Justice as much as I do. Also, has anyone out there heard the new Simian Mobile Disco album? Any good?

Justice- D.A.N.C.E.mp3
Justice-Me Against the Music.mp3