I’m just over halfway through and it’s absolutely superb, though I imagine it’ll be fairly divisive. It’s like the funkier parts of Discovery, only more grandiose, sprawling and ambitious. “Get Lucky” was a good indication of the feel of the album, but it really only hints at what’s on offer.
Can’t believe no responses yet…
I’d been eagerly awaiting this album for months. Though I was initially put off by “Get Lucky” (really? A straight mid-tempo disco track?) it grew and grew on me until I was listening to it daily.
Of course the album proper is out now, and I have to say - I love it to death. It’s definitely not what I expected from Daft Punk - heavy homage to late 70s / early 80s disco and prog rock. And it’s got a thread of melancholy / longing through it all. But it’s absolutely brilliant.
The thing I most loved about their superb Alive 2007 album was not only that they seamlessly meshed, chopped, mixed and blended their sublime Discovery with their previously maligned Human After All, but that they subtly worked in a theme - robots yearning to become human as humans became more robotic. Sounds cheesy, but it absolutely works. Random Access Memories continues that theme, and it’s beautiful.
It takes a few listens - proper full album listens, not track jumping. The first listen I was a bit unsure how to feel. I left it for a day, but found I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Every listen I appreciate it more. RAM is definitely a grower, not a shower. We all expected it to be a “dance” album - and you can certainly dance to “Get Lucky” and “Give Life Back to Music”, but I love the slower, more thoughtful tracks as well.
…and do yourself a favor and watch the final track, “Contact”, synced with the final scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Beautiful. 
I’ve got the CD now–probably listened to the album around 10 times so far. I’m a fan of things like Yes, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, The Buggles, some of Vangelis’ stuff, etc. and have a fondness for Moroder’s recordings and everything Nile Rodgers has had a hand in. And I love “The Rainbow Connection” to boot.
It’s like this album was made for me.
It’s not as buoyant as Discovery–it’s an introspective work that is so deeply rooted in nostalgia for the mid-to-late '70s that anyone without a connection to that era would find it near impenetrable. There’s always been that element of '70s/'80s cheese in Daft Punk’s work, but this is the duo laying it bare for all to see. It’s no wonder the critics love it and the kids are left mystified.
Mods, I screwed up my youtube link it seems and missed the edit window. Can you unlink it please?
Correct link is Daft Punk’s “Contact” Versus 2001: A Space Odyssey
My impressions seem to be the opposite of many. I think it sounds amazing… But can be a little shallow. I am already bored of several songs. They are too catchy.
I can see Touch turning alot of people off… But I love it. Whats his names voice is rather poignant.
I am a huge Panda Bear fan and think his voice is great, but the song he sings on might be too catchy.
I already never want to hear the Lucky song again (it’s been playing during the play-offs.) It is the perfect radio song though.
The 2nd song is awesome and love the down tempo vibe.
My favorite after a few listens is “Fragments of Time”. It’s like yacht rock crossed with something off Prince’s first 2 albums.
Any music that features Nile Rodgers’ guitar is okay by me.
I like what I have heard - probably should get the CD and give it a workout.
I don’t know if it is common knowledge that the launch took place in the small country Aussie town of Wee Waa
It’s got a nice groove. I like Get Lucky if I don’t listen too hard to the lyrics. But I love Touch (Paul Williams!) & Contact. And Beyond.
They may have overdone the vocoder though
I hated the Autotune thing, understand that Daft Punk does vocoder…
This album is awesome, I love the French “I don’t care what you expect us to do, but…”
Terrific stuff.