Single Review - Infinity Repeating (2013 Demo) by Daft Punk Ft: Julian Casablancas & The Voidz
March 17th marked 10 years since Daft Punk's hit album, "Random Access Memories" hit store shelves. Bringing us hits like, "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance," the Grammy award-winning album stands as one of the most influential in the duo's discography, transforming the electronic dance genre for decades to come.
Daft Punk's latest release, "Infinity Repeating," featuring Julian Casablancas and The Voidz, is a captivating revelation that unveils a long-awaited second collaboration between two musical powerhouses. Appearing on the now 10th Anniversary re-release of the album, the journey behind this track stretches back to 2010 when Daft Punk and Julian Casablancas were first introduced through a mutual friend.
The backstory reveals a mutual admiration between the artists, with Daft Punk expressing their deep respect for The Strokes, and Julian Casablancas citing Daft Punk's "Veridis Quo" as one of his favorite songs. This admiration set the stage for their eventual partnership, and in March 2011, Julian was invited to the studio to record a song for Daft Punk's album, "Random Access Memories."
The result of that session was the acclaimed track, "Instant Crush," which became a standout hit from the album. The chemistry between Daft Punk's impeccable production and Julian Casablancas' emotive vocals was undeniable, and the song's popularity solidified their collaboration as a match made in heaven.
Julian Casablancas in the Instant Crush music video
However, the story didn't end there. Unbeknownst to fans, a second track was recorded during those studio sessions, but it remained unreleased. Over the years, Julian Casablancas hinted at the existence of this hidden gem in various interviews, igniting anticipation among eager listeners.
It wasn't until February 22, 2023, that Daft Punk announced the 10th-anniversary edition of "Random Access Memories," promising previously unheard demos and outtakes. Fans quickly speculated that another fabled collaboration between the artists, especially considering Julian's previous description of a song that cyclically moves through half steps, sounding bizarre and jazz-modern. The track was later revealed as "Infinity Repeating," the elusive collaboration with Julian Casablancas and his band The Voidz. This revelation sparked excitement and speculation among fans, who eagerly anticipated the release of the full track.
Casablancas was recently interviewed for the release of the new track/ reissue of the album and filled in more missing gaps about the backstory of their past creative collaboration.
Upon listening, "Infinity Repeating" lives up to the long-awaited hype. The track carries a unique blend of Daft Punk's signature electronic style intertwined with Julian Casablancas' somber, distinct vocals. The song's hypnotic melodies weave in and out, creating a sense of anticipation and intrigue. Daft Punk's masterful production shines through, with each layer of sound meticulously crafted and expertly arranged. The inclusion of the Voidz instrumental adds an extra layer of depth to the composition. The song's enchanting repetition and peculiar jazz-infused elements create an otherworldly atmosphere, captivating the listener from start to finish. “Infinity Repeating” paints a beautiful summary of the duo’s friendship as they ambiguously say farewell to the same artists they were when creating “Random Access Memories”.
“It’s cool, weird. It’s definitely not one tenth as pop-u-licious as "Instant Crush," but it’s just really weird. It’s like a song that just goes up. It’s like four half-steps up, moving as that on cycle, on repeat. And it’s super bizarre. And it sounds like jazz modern weird. It’s weirder than any song on the record that I know of.”
-Julian Casablancas on Infinity Repeating
Be sure to check out the track below and form your own interpretation!
