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