Daft Punk : NPR

Fans photographed on the eve of Daft Punk's album launch, held in the tiny Australian town of Wee Waa, on May 17, 2013. Shanna Whan/AFP/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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What Does Daft Punk Leave Behind?

February 24, 2021 • Known for indelible hits like "One More Time" and "Around the World," the now-legendary French duo called it quits this week after years of silence.

Electronic Music Duo Daft Punk Announces Split After Nearly 3 Decades

February 22, 2021 • Daft Punk has announced their split after nearly three decades together. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with writer Simon Reynolds about the legacy of the electronic music duo.

Electronic Music Duo Daft Punk Announces Split After Nearly 3 Decades

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Rodrigo y Gabriela Spin The Songs Behind Their Wild Sound

Gabriela Quintero and Rodrigo Sanchez Ebru Yildiz/Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Ebru Yildiz/Courtesy of the Artist

Rodrigo y Gabriela Spin The Songs Behind Their Wild Sound

May 24, 2019 • The Mexican guitar duo talk share songs by Nina Simone, Caifanes and Rage Against the Machine and discuss the role of the guitar in rock.

Rodrigo y Gabriela Spin The Songs Behind Their Wild Sound

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Watch Daft Punk's Hits Played By A Marching Band For Bastille Day

First, the Grammys. Next: the Bastille Day parade? Kevin Winter/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Watch Daft Punk's Hits Played By A Marching Band For Bastille Day

July 14, 2017 • French president Emmanuel Macron was clearly into it.

Detroit techno artist Carl Craig plays the Orange Peel at Moogfest on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Adam Kissick for NPR

KEXP

October 29, 2012 • Electronic dance music isn't a new phenomenon — it's been around in one format or another for more than three decades.

Daft Punk On 'The Soul That A Musician Can Bring'

In spite of the robotic persona they've cultivated for years, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo elected to make the latest Daft Punk album in a real studio, with real musicians. David Black/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Black/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Daft Punk On 'The Soul That A Musician Can Bring'

January 27, 2014 • In spite of the robotic persona they've cultivated for years, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo elected to make their new album, Random Access Memories, in a real studio, with real musicians. Hear the elusive electronic duo in conversation with All Things Considered's Audie Cornish.

Daft Punk On 'The Soul That A Musician Can Bring'

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Poll Results: Listeners Pick Their Favorite Albums of 2013

Vampire Weekend's Modern Vampires of the City was the most popular record in our listener poll for the best music of 2013. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Poll Results: Listeners Pick Their Favorite Albums of 2013

December 12, 2013 • See what albums NPR listeners picked in our year-end poll for the best music of 2013.

Poll Results: Listeners Pick Their Favorite Albums of 2013

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Guest DJ: Daft Punk On The Music That Inspired 'Random Access Memories'

Daft Punk's latest album is Random Access Memories, the duo's first record since 2005 David Black/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Guest DJ: Daft Punk On The Music That Inspired 'Random Access Memories'

June 17, 2013 • The French electronic duo sits with NPR's Sami Yenigun to talk about their latest album, and share some of their favorite music by other artists, including James Blake, The Strokes and the '70s disco band Chic.

Listen To Daft Punk Speak About Their Favorite Songs

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Discussion: The Year In Music (So Far), 2013

Clockwise from upper left: Kacey Musgraves, Daft Punk, David Bowie, Valerie June, Chance The Rapper, Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Discussion: The Year In Music (So Far), 2013

June 11, 2013 • All Songs Considered co-hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are joined by NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and Ann Powers for a look back on the first half of the year in music. The four battle it out over their biggest surprises and favorite new artists, songs and albums from the first half of 2013.

Discussion: The Year In Music (So Far), 2013

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What It Means When 'Hip' Albums Top The Charts

Daft Punk's album Random Access Memories sold 339,000 copies in its first week in stores, the second highest total for any new album in 2013. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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The Record

What It Means When 'Hip' Albums Top The Charts

May 29, 2013 • Last week, Vampire Weekend had the best selling album in the country. This week Daft Punk will take that spot. Are these the hippest albums to ever top the Billboard album chart in two back-to-back weeks?

Daft Punk: Accessing Electronic Music's Humanity

Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter are the two men behind Daft Punk. David Black/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Black/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Daft Punk: Accessing Electronic Music's Humanity

Fresh Air

May 22, 2013 • Random Access Memories finds the French duo changing its music-making process in an effort to make its songs sound more human. To that end, Daft Punk enlists guest stars such as Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.

Daft Punk: Accessing Electronic Music's Humanity

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Robots In Ecstasy: Daft Punk's 'Memories' Embraces The Pleasure Principle

On May 21, Daft Punk will release Random Access Memories, the duo's first album since 2005. David Black/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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The Record

Robots In Ecstasy: Daft Punk's 'Memories' Embraces The Pleasure Principle

May 14, 2013 • The dance music scene that has risen in the past decade owes a debt to the heavy beats of Daft Punk's music. But the long-awaited album from the Parisian duo turns its back on EDM to bask in the smooth sounds — and liberation --of the 1970s.

Review

Music Reviews

Musical Stocking Stuffers: New Music Tuesday

December 4, 2007 • Out today are Rufus Wainwright and Daft Punk live albums, a new Christmas tradition from The Killers, a return to his roots from Wyclef Jean and an American Idol debut. A look at the latest CD releases by Lizzy Goodman of Blender magazine.

Musical Stocking Stuffers: New Music Tuesday

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Music Reviews

Daft Punk

April 10, 2001 • Daft Punk is a French music duo known for their electronic dance beats. They released a big smash dance floor CD in 1997. Their new release is the first thing since. The CD is called Discovery. Writer Will Hermes has a review. (3:30) The CD Discovery by Daft Punk is on the Virgin label.

Daft Punk

Only Available in Archive Formats.

Real Media

'TRON' Director Unveils New Daft Punk Songs

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All Songs Considered

'TRON' Director Unveils New Daft Punk Songs

KCRW

November 29, 2010 • KCRW recently hosted an exclusive preview of Daft Punk's soundtrack to TRON: Legacy. Hear five previously unheard songs, as well as an interview between KCRW's Jason Bentley and director Joseph Kosinski.