ALBUM REVIEW: ‘Homework (25th Anniversary Edition)’ is a worthy tribute to Daft Punk’s legacy

Last week, Daft Punk finally came out of the woodwork – a year after they announced their breakup – to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their debut album Homework. The Deluxe Anniversary Edition of the album was released alongside a Twitch stream of a rare performance from 1997 at the Mayan Theatre, in which the duo performed without their signature helmets. In keeping with the iconic sense of mystery and exclusivity surrounding the duo, the concert was only available for a very limited period and has since been removed, though it managed to draw much attention in its short lifespan.

The 15 new tracks included on this new version of Homework – 9 of which have never appeared on digital service providers before – consists of various remixes from artists such as Masters at Work, DJ Sneak, Todd Terry, Motorbass, Ian Pooley, I:Cube and more. The flavour of these new tracks preserves the originality of Daft Punk’s specific sound that justifies their place as a pioneering act in house music. 

According to Daft Punk, Homework was named after “the fact that we made the record at home, very cheaply, very quickly and spontaneously, trying to do cool stuff.” It’s exactly that comfortable eclecticism that lays the foundation of the album, drawing the audience to its idiosyncrasy, and is ultimately the reason why Homework was such an attention-grabbing debut. The duo’s implementation of elements from other genres that one wouldn’t typically associate with techno or house makes the album still sound innovative and relevant in a world where popular music is, arguably, losing its originality. This variety draws in listeners, with every song being distinctly ‘fresh’ in its own way and leaving you in anticipation of the next track. Elements of funk and acid can be heard in ‘Revolution 909’, which is built off of a ‘heartbeat’ tempo that quite literally makes your head bop. Daft Punk’s stylised composition brings out the simpler emotions in us, which is why Homework has regained its popularity all these years later. It embodies the feeling of dancing and allows for the complexities of the human mind to melt away for the duration of the album, making it oddly comforting. Undoubtedly the most popular track on the album, ‘Around the World’ condenses Daft Punk’s most notable style, consisting of the key hook which is a steady bassline and the robotic voice singing continuously.

Remixes of ‘Around the World’, ‘Burnin’, ‘Revolution 909’ and ‘Teachers’ are included on this new iteration of the album. Fans should be pleased to see that, whilst these tracks have been reworked to feature new elements, they have retained their familiarity. ‘Around the World- Original Lead on Mix’, remixed by Daft Punk themselves, and Masters at Work’s ‘Around the World- Mellow Mix’ both utilise the mellow, industrial sounds heard in ‘Revolution 909’ and pair it with the incessant hook from ‘Around the World’, coalescing the individuality of both tracks. True to the simplicity of Daft Punk’s sound, remixes of ‘Burnin’, such as ‘Burnin- DJ Sneak Mix’ and ‘Burnin- Ian Pooley Cut Up Mix’, mirror the exact bassline, with added house elements such as the robotic voice in the hook of the DJ Sneak Mix. In preservation of the originality of Homework, the addition of the remixes brings about the recognisable feeling of innovation and exploration through a range of unique elements that Daft Punk and the features provide, solidifying the legacy of the album on its 25th Anniversary.

Homework struck a chord with so many upon its debut due to its catchiness and originality, and it played a major role in introducing French house to the rest of the world. Critics have congratulated the album for its unique skill in blending house, techno, acid and punk into one amalgamation of purely upbeat and entrancing music. Homework is beloved in the eyes of most critics, appearing in the book “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” on the basis that Daft Punk “tied the established club styles to the burgeoning eclecticism of big beat”. It’s the feeling of simple-minded discovery and exploration that has solidified the legacy of Daft Punk, as well as their skill in consistently creating a sound that’s simple, accessible and fun. 

With the release of both the concert and the deluxe version of Homework coming exactly a year after their breakup, it’s unclear whether we can expect any more new content from the duo. However, the commemoration of arguably the most significant album in Daft Punk’s discography, is a clear reminder that the legacy they have left fans with for now, will retain its timeless originality for the foreseeable future. The 25th Anniversary Edition of Homework is out now on all streaming platforms, with a vinyl release expected for April 15th.