Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter releases his first solo album, "Mythologies," featuring an orchestral piece he composed for a ballet of the same name. The album is now available via Erato/Warner Classics. "Mythologies" is Bangalter's first independent orchestral work, commissioned by choreographer Angelin Preljocaj. The ballet, a collaboration between Ballet Preljocaj and the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, premiered last summer and explored contemporary rituals and the influence of founding myths on the collective imagination. Bangalter's score for "Mythologies" diverges from his electronic and dance music background, drawing inspiration from his love for Baroque music and incorporating hints of American minimalism in the 90-minute composition.
What Worked
Across twenty-three tracks, Bangalter replaces the sounds of Daft Punk with Debussy or Tchaikovsky, making an unexpected turn to classical with his solo debut. While not a stranger to orchestras and scores thanks to the Tron: Legacy soundtrack, gone are any electronic elements. Rather than sequenced keyboard arpeggios, Bangalter utilizes live instrumentation to similar effect on "Les Amazones," or like on the timpani and discordant "Ares." Some of the tracks are vaguely reminiscent of Brian Eno's various collaborations, but with strings instead of synths, like the stretched out "L'Accouchement" or slow-building "Premiers Mouvements."
What Didn't Work
Fans of Daft Punk who want four on-the-floor bangers should avoid at all costs, and classical purists may find little new in Bangalter's genre shift to praise. That shouldn't keep curious from checking it out.
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