Random Access Memories Album Review

Random Access Memories. Other than being incredibly smart, catchy as hell, toe-tappingly funky and ambitious to boot, this album is just smooth. Looking at the track list, featuring the spontaneous dance-inducing ‘Get Lucky’, I envision it as a multi-coloured line of perfectly crafted cocktails. A rainbow of fluorescent colours and retro decorations stand out as they remain perfectly still, preserved under a spotlight illuminating them on the neon lit bar. I pick the first one up; a drink the bartender nicknamed ‘Give Life Back to Music’. Odd name for a cocktail I thought, with an appearance akin to a Singapore Sling. I put the glass to my lips and take a sip, and all at once the taste overpowers my senses like a rush of adrenaline and instantly I am eagerly anticipating the next drink. Boom! What a perfect start to the night! Excuse me while I demonstrate my dreadful dance moves (no fault of the music).

Now at this point I should probably progress this review, but why spoil that great metaphor I had going? So for your consideration; the cocktails I see each track being (or that you should drink as an accompaniment):

Give Life Back to Music – Singapore Sling
The Game of Love – Hot Buttered Rum
Giorgio by Moroder – Mojito

Within – French (pun intended) Martini

Instant Crush – Mango Daquiri

Lose Yourself to Dance – Tequila Sunrise

Touch – Orange-Lime Relaxer

Get Lucky – Margherita

Beyond – Mulata Daisy

Motherboard – Absinthe Sazerac

Fragments of Time – Piña Colada

Doin’ It Right – White Negroni

Contact – White Russian

Horizon – Toblerone

Well now that we’re all thirsty, wasted or both, let’s continue shall we? So ‘RAM’ gently nudges us back to the 70’s disco era; when flowing hair, bell-bottoms and glorious tassels adorned both artist and audience alike, and the trip is a memorable one. This album received mixed reviews, some of which say that DP overshot in their ambition, producing something redundant in the face of their previous works and ability to remain culturally relevant. I disagree. The anticipation for a new album has been building exponentially since ‘Human After All’ and ‘Discovery’. DP knew that, and capitalized on it to guarantee a world-wide audience. Folks gotta stop living in the past! Listen, wanting another album that sounds that same as the last just because the last was awesome is the same as wanting a sequel for a movie that doesn’t need it just because you love the movie. It would sour the taste and become forced and boring, like The Matrix, Jaws or Shrek *shudder*.

Other older genres such as Psychedelia have been polished a bit and brought into the modern ear by artists like The Flaming Lips or Tame Impala, maturing it like a fine wine and allowing newer audiences to embrace the old and the new, but the overflowing ambition of Daft Punk is as intense as the existential crisis of a swinging hippy on New Year’s Day 1970. They redefined what dance music means to us once before, and of course, they’ve undeniably done it again. Daft Punk is an enigmatic entity, and this album is an utterly triumphant robotic paradise. The question is: Can you game to this album? My answer: Most definitely, as long as you’re willing to skip ‘Within’ (not exactly a song to slay dragons in Skyrim to). Now just as food for thought, what if the original members of the band passed the torch years ago, in their stead leaving an ever changing shift of talented musicians that are simply known as 'Daft Punk'? Interesting theory… now excuse me while I go make myself fourteen cocktails.

-Declan Nicholls

*When he's not staying up all night to get lucky, Declan enjoys playing N64 games and kicking ass playing his guitar, kind of like Scott Pilgrim except cooler. He enjoys long walks along the beach and candle lit dinners. Do you have something you want to review? Send it in to 308.PS3@gmail.com!