DAFT PUNK (1993 - 2021)

Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homen-Christo, who together are known to the world as the disguised EDM duo, Daft Punk, have officially announced the end of their musical partnership on February 22nd. This innovative band lead the movement that successfully brought dance music to the pop charts. Although it had been since 2013 that the French musicians had released their worldwide breakthrough fourth album, "Random Access Memories" which went on to receive five Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, the news is still unexpected and quite surprising.

The two became friends while attending the Lycée Carnot school in Paris. They recorded demos and later formed a rock band with Bangalter playing bass and de Homen-Christo on guitar. After abandoning the band, the duo moved towards experimenting with synthesisers and drum machines. This lead them to create an instrumental, acid house track called, "Da Funk" in 1995, receiving attention from Virgin Records who signed them to the label with Daft Punk being born.

At first, the duo made live appearances without costumes while touring for their debut album, "Homework". But the men were not interested in fame or being photographed. They started to wear face masks while performing and doing publicity. With their success, Daft Punk eventually moved to more elaborate costumes, with them wearing robotic suits and helmets.

With their follow-up album, "Discovery" in 2001, Daft Punk's music moved towards a slicker electro-pop sound, utilizing autotune and vocoded vocals on their songs. And the album was an incredible success on the dance charts across the globe with the singles, "One More Time", "Digital Love", "Face to Face" and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" (which would later be sampled by Kanye West for his 2007 hit song "Stronger").

The announcement of their end came inventively with an eight minute video clip. In the film directed by Warren Fu, the pair appear wearing their robot personas walking in the desert. One stops moving suddenly, then the other returns to flip a timer-switch on him that causes his destruction.



And to pay tribute to Daft Punk and their influential sound, here is a highlight of some of my favorite tracks from the band:

HOT TRACKS

The Weeknd, who became one of the biggest pop acts of 2015, has just dropped a new track. "Starboy" is an unexpected collaboration with the French dance duo, Daft Punk and will be the title of his third album due in November. With a low throbbing electro-beat, the song is a dark examination at his struggles dealing with the overwhelming fame and success that came his way during that time. Be sure to check out his appearance on the season opener of "Saturday Night Live" on October 2nd where he will be the musical guest.

In the dramatic video for the track, it begins with the twenty-six year old Canadian killing off his former image before revealing that he has cut his trademark hair and struts around in a slick new style.

Fellow Canadian, Nelly Furtado had one of the hottest songs of  2006 when she teamed up with Timbaland and they produced a worldwide smash with "Promiscuous". She's been relatively quiet for a little while now but recently resurfaced earlier this year on a duet with Blood Orange for a song on his latest album. Then she dropped a tune "Behind Your Back" in July which she called an "appetizer" for her upcoming record.

Furtado has just released the official first single from "The Ride", her sixth studio album which is tentatively scheduled for early next year. Furtado says the beat-heavy ballad "Islands of Me" is about "narcissism, lust, isolation and altruism." and she premiered the song live during the New York Fashion Week kickoff party.

"Islands of Me" - Nelly Furtado (2016) mp3

NEW SOUNDS

BEYONCE

The world has been made aware that new music from pop diva, Beyoncé is on the horizon but the real question is when? Recently, another complete song has leaked and it's entitled, "Grown Woman" which a snippet was originally featured in her Pepsi commercial. This tune seems more likely to be a part of the Queen B's next album than the first song that blew up on the Internet earlier this year, "Bow Down/ I Been On".

While I most certainly luv me some Beyoncé but I can't say that I'm really feeling any these new songs and that includes her contribution to "The Great Gatsby" soundtrack, "Back To Black" which she teamed-up with Andre 3000 on a remake of the Amy Winehouse classic. While her attempt to shake-up the tired routine that's happening in pop music right now is greatly appreciated however, the results have been interesting but lackluster. I remain optimistic that Mrs. Carter has some more tricks up her sleeve that will surely make me stand-up and take notice.

Listen to the track and let me know what you think:

"Grown Woman" - Beyoncé (2013)

Here is the commercial for Beyoncé's line of swimwear for H&M that features a bit of another new song, "Standing On The Sun":




DAFT PUNK

One of my favorite songs out right now is "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk that features Pharrell Williams on vocals and guitar work by Nile Rodgers. This hot jam takes the shimmering disco of Rodgers's group Chic and perfectly merges it with Daft Punk's electro grooves. "Get Lucky" has quickly taken the world by storm and has topped the charts in several countries.

The French EDM duo, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (who conceal their identities by wearing elaborate robot costumes) have decided to overhaul their music by adding live instruments and with great effect on their impressive fourth studio album, "Random Access Memories". Daft Punk have also enlisted an eclectic group of contributors including Panda Bear, Chilly Gonzales, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Oscar-winning composer, Paul Williams and the man who is considered "the godfather of electronic music", Giorgio Moroder who is paid tribute to on the track, "Giorgio by Moroder" in which the legendary producer discusses his life and career over a throbbing beat. This album is a funky, chaotic, jumble of sounds and textures that will serve as the perfect background to all your summer activities.

Enjoy this slick clip of "Get Lucky":



Here is another great song from the new release that features Panda Bear, "Doin' It Right":

"Doin' It Right" - Daft Punk featuring Panda Bear (2013)

JESSICA SANCHEZ

I had checked out of "American Idol" a couple years ago as the reality show had become far too predictable and I really had no interest in watching the antics of some of the train wrecks that made-up the judging panels. However, I did catch part of an episode from season eleven that featured Jessica Sanchez performing. I have no real recollection of what she sang but I do remember being quite impressed by the talent of this young singer.

Ms Sanchez didn't go on to take home the top prize but did place as runner-up and earned a recording contract. The now seventeen year-old has just released her debut, "Me, You & The Music". The first single, "Tonight" is a sizzling duet with Ne-Yo who also co-wrote the tune. While it's pretty much like the rest of the standard r&b/pop songs that is populating the airwaves these days but Ms Sanchez elevates this material with her soaring vocals. This is a nice introduction and just a tiny taste of what Jessica Sanchez is capable of delivering in the future.

Take a look at the music video for "Tonight" (maybe it's just me but she keeps making me think of Brandy when I watch her in this):



I'm sure there are plenty of great remixes of "Tonight" out there but here is one that I like by DJ Craig Welsh:

"Tonight (DJ Craig Welsh pop bootleg remix)" - Jessica Sanchez Featuring Ne-Yo (2013)