Daft Punk - Random Access Memories: Drumless Edition

Daft Punk celebrated the tenth anniversary of Random Access Memories' release with not one but two special editions of their nostalgic 2013 masterpiece. The first was a typical deluxe edition that added demos and outtakes; the second, Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition), honored the album by removing one of its most definitive elements -- the beat. Given that the duo's legacy is so grounded in Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter's way with propulsive rhythms, it seems like a counterintuitive choice, but like all of Daft Punk's moves, it's thoughtfully considered, and Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition) provides deeper insight into their music than might be expected.On a purely musical level, stripping away the beats makes it easier to savor the beauty of the album's tones, whether it's the sparkling keyboards and shimmying rhythm guitars on "Give Life Back to Music" -- a song whose title feels especially apt in this context -- or the majesty of the strings, bra