While Daft Punk has been around since 1994, the low number remixes they've done is shocking. There's not much of a rhyme or reason to their remix output; they either reworked tracks from their peers in the dance scene (early on, this meant acts on labels like Soma or other French artists), or tracks for affiliated artists. As big as Homework was, you'd think their remix work would have been in demand. If Daft Punk had just come out, we figure they would have logged something like 5011 remixes in a year, just off general principle.
We kid, but there's something to be said about the androids eschewing their original work to remix another's music. Check out the 10 best remixes from Daft Punk.
Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out (Daft Punk Remix)"
Label: Domino
Year: 2004
This might be the oddest remix that Daft Punk has done. It feels like they took the original song and threw the static that was so prevalent on tracks like "Rollin' & Scratchin'" over top. "Take Me Out" already has enough of a bounce to it, maybe they figured there wasn't much else to do to it?
Scott Grooves ft. Parliament Funkadelic - "Mothership Reconnection (Daft Punk Remix)"
Label: Soma Quality Recordings
Year: 1998
Daft Punk remixing a late '90s rework of classic George Clinton, via the label that put out their first singles? Sounds like a no-brainer. They go full electro on this, from the vocoder to the throwback sounds in the intro. This one is kind of spastic, in that it has those weird bits of indecisiveness before it dips into full-on funky house.
Daft Punk - "Robot Rock (Daft Punk Maximum Overdrive Mix)"
Label: Virgin
Year: 2006
Didn't want that synth-happy Breakwater sample in your "Robot Rock?" Look no further, as the androids threw this into maximum overdrive with this rework, essentially speeding up and slowing down their guitar and drum work. There's not a lot of dancing going on to this; it feels like an extended turntablist set, cutting back and forth between two decks, showing what you're working with. Great interpretation on the source material regardless.
The Chemical Brothers - "Life Is Sweet (Daft Punk Remix)"
Label: Astralwerks
Year: 1995
This is exactly what you'd expect a Daft Punk remix of a Chemical Brothers single to sound like, circa 1995. Alternating loops, a consistent drum kick, and random, heavy-handed scratches. Does the damn job.
Daft Punk - "Aerodynamite"
Label: Virgin
Year: 2001
The static of Daft Punk days past comes back for the b-side version of "Aerodynamic." No big guitar solos, just a mesmerizing bevy of throwback synths and thick drums. This one isn't about being the biggest beat; "Aerodynamite" is just putting you in that frantic, middle of the night mindset. There's a lot that's gone on, and plenty more where that came from. Live now.
Gabrielle - "Forget About The World (Daft Punk Don't Forget The World Mix)"
Label: Go! Discs
Year: 1996
Daft Punk loved the work of vocal house producers in the 1990s, so it made sense that they would warp Gabrielle's "Forget About The World" in the vein of Todd Edwards and other producers, manipulating snippets of her vocals in that garage vibe.
Daft Punk - "Aerodynamic (Daft Punk Remix)"
Label: Daft Life / Virgin
Year: 2004
"Aerodynamic" helped signal a change in the androids' repetoire. With this remix, it's more of them just blending in vocals from "One More Time" (RIP Romanthony) and creating an epic piece of beauty. Seriously, just hearing "one more time" thrown over "Aerodynamic" sends chills up your father's spine.
Ian Pooley - "Chord Memory (Daft Punk Mix)"
Label: Force Inc. Music Works
Year: 1996
The vibes of a few different eras. Rock the disco, turn up the funky bass, and tune into WDPK for that pure beauty on the dancefloor. Remixes like this encapsulate everything it is that we love about Daft Punk.
The Micronauts - "Get Funky Get Down (Daft Punk Remix)"
Label: Phono
Year: 1995
This is one of those tracks you'd hear when you first walked into a rave, a little before midnight. Total darkness, pulsating beat from the speakers. As you're making your way through the fog, sweat, and bodies, you get entranced by the hypnotic melody. Maybe you had somewhere to go. Probably not. All you can do is let loose and get down. Succomb to the androids.
I:Cube - "Disco Cubizm (Daft Punk Mix)"
Label: Versatile Records
Year: 1996
Is there something else topping this? Kicking off with heavy kicks and properly-chopped vocals, this "Disco Cubizm" remix leaps to another level once those jazzy keys float in. This is perfectly-constructed house. Sounds drop when they're supposed to, and sneak up on you in a moment's notice. The proper hint of jazz and undeniable swing make this the winner. And you didn't even know "Versatile Records" existed.