the gang is in a mood for dancing …
DJ’s across the world were tweeting and blowing their Facebook walls up about Daft Punk’s new single, “Get Lucky.” So the gang at The Singles Party decided to give the electronic duo’s latest joint a spin.
Nick Porcaro: Daft Punk is back! Yay! The real triumph, however, is not the return of our favorite French robots; nor is it that silky-smooth vocal performance from Pharrell. “Get Lucky” is great because of Nile Rodgers’ impossibly percolatin’ guitar work. It’s a stupidly simple single that’s all the better for its basic structure — mark my words, this one’s the summer anthem to beat. Verdict: Add to the Playlist.
Jason Kundrath: The ramp up to the release of Daft Punk’s long-awaited forthcoming album, Random Access Memories, has been full of hype, mystery, and excitement. I can’t say I recall ever witnessing such a well-executed and extensive promotional campaign behind an album before. Now – with the official release of first single “Get Lucky” — we have our first taste of what’s behind all the fuss. And I, for one, am a believer. While this wildly authentic, super-smooth, disco groove may seem almost too simple at first, it sneaks up on you. Hard. Legendary guitarist Nile Rodgers provides an masterful, unshakable, rhythmic riff over a steady beat, while Pharrell delivers a handful of equally-good vocal hooks using just enough of his signature falsetto. Meanwhile, the bass just kills the entire time, augmenting the groove ever so slightly between sections. The result is a rare thing: a head-nodding, feel-good, dance floor track that somehow gets better with each listen. Daft Punk delivers. Verdict: Add to the Playlist.
Brent Johnson: Ever wonder what Studio 54 would sound like if it were still around today? Well, here you go. Daft Punk return in stellar fashion, with some groovy guitar help from Nile Rodgers, one of the most under-appreciated men in the history of pop. Rodgers helped keep disco being total schlock as the leader of Chic in the 1970s before turning into a go-to producer in the ’80s, overseeing killer records by Duran Duran, David Bowie, and The B-52’s. This — which sounds like a lost Chic track, sung by Pharrell Williams — is another gem. Maybe disco wouldn’t have been so maligned if it all sounded like this — more cool funk than glossy junk. Verdict: Add to the Playlist.
Kelly Gonsalves: I’m as far from a bboy as humanly possible, but this new single “Get Lucky” has my break dancing feels off the charts. Therefore, all is well with the new Daft Punk single. The last few months have been comeback season, it seems, and as opposed to some groups that have been far less successful, this house funk duo are doing it just right. “Get Lucky” is in touch with the classic electro sound the boys are known for, keeping it fresh and clean with smooth, liquid-y vocals from Pharrell Williams and some sick strummin’ playing over a catchy as fuck disco beat looping out in the background. Nothing terribly risky being done here — the boys are just keeping at what they do best. No complaints, though. A pretty solid track. Verdict: Add to the Playlist.
Joe Zorzi: Daft Punk is one of those groups that I’ve always wanted to get into but never gave a real shot. After hearing “Get Lucky,” I now know I have no other choice than to become a fan. The music is so funky and Pharrell KILLS IT on vocals. This is exactly the kind of song we need in the dance music world right now. I am so stoked on this song. You should be too. Verdict: Add to the Playlist
Jason Stives: Daft Punk and Nile Rodgers — does any more need to be said? Well, for the sake of the Singles Party, yes, it does. It’s one thing to be an artist who hasn’t released a record in a long time (eight years, to be exact), but it’s another thing to be a CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED act who hasn’t released a record in a long time. Daft Punk has spanned many decades in their pursuit to dance music perfection but “Get Lucky” feels timeless at a time when music is either moving forward or backwards. Sure, it has all the makings of a late-’70’s disco tech song, but its basic fundamentals in crunchy electronic riffs and funk bass lines makes it just as much 1979 as it is 2013. Of course this has a lot to do with the presence of Rodgers and honestly having him on this record feels like a real steal. His contribution is exquisite (as if it would be anything but) and Pharrell Williams ads that uncontrollable sense of soul that makes this a song for all occasions. After the rather disappointing results of 2005’s Human After All this feels like a sign of good things to come in the Daft Punk camp. Verdict: Add to the Playlist
Bill Bodkin: Hot damn! This song is just crazy infectious. Daft Punk knows how to create a damn good dance track, but this, this is their masterpiece. It’s an absolutely brilliant amalgam of disco, funk, soul and modern day electronic deliciousness. You cannot find a better dance song out there right now. Verdict: Add to the Playlist.
Lauren Stern: From the moment Daft Punk started releasing mysterious sneak peak YouTube messages, I have been hooked on this track. It’s fun, it’s funky, and best of all, it has Pharrell. I can’t get enough. After hearing this, in addition to the rumors surrounding the multiple guest appearances, I’m excited to hear more from Random Access Memories. It sounds like it’s going to be one of those albums that will blow us all out of the water this year. Verdict: Add to the Playlist
Final Verdict: This song makes us put our dancing shoes on and we totally dig it, so should you.
