11. Fragments Of Time
As 'Random Access Memories' approaches closing time, the duo look back to the past again on 'Fragments of Time'. The Todd Edwards-led track is a lot purer and cleaner than a lot of the album; the vocal's uncontorted, the bass leads the song and the lyrics talk of looking back to simpler times. It's a song that makes you wonder whether Daft Punk would ever perform as in a rock band set-up, as they did in the 'Get Lucky' video; they're gifted musicians that could walk into most rock bands, and 'Random Access Memories' is defininetly an album that would be interesting to see interpreted by live guitarists and drummers. Definitely a breath of fresh air on the album. 12. Doin' It Right
Saving one of the best just before last, Animal Collective's Panda Bear gives a trademark melody on 'Doin' It Right', to turn in one of the performances of the album. Again, it's sparse in comparison to a lot of the record, but that only highlights the lovely, nursery rhyme-like simplicity of the tune. It's the brilliance that's made Animal Collective such an uplifting force in music, and combined with Daft Punk's trademark vocodering, it simply sounds like a band liberated; there seemed like there was nowhere to go when 'Human After All' turned out to be more of a disappointing apology than an unveiling of the band's warmth, but as 'Doin' It Right' stomps towards the end of another brilliant Daft Punk record, the band sound as invigorated and exciting as they ever have been. 13. Contact
And finally, closer 'Contact', narrated by Eugene Cernan, the last man to set foot on the moon. It's a fitting cameo for the final track of the album. 'Contact', like much of the record, is both quietly affecting, gloriously euphoric and intricate musically without being too garish in production: it's an epic, there's no other way to say it, both in length and in concept. For a twenty-year-old band to have released their most consistent, challenging and eclectic album is a huge achievement, but the way it's captured the imagination of the world is astounding, especially for an age in which nothing really grips us musically, unless it's gone viral. 'Contact' lands with a wave of distortion and a heartbeat. Daft Punk may human after all, but it takes some believing. Which are your favourite tracks on 'Random Access Memories'? Is it Daft Punk's best album? Is it the album of the year? Comment below!