Coming back to the decks for the first time in nearly 20 years, Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk drew much media attention for his B2Bs with Fred again... Since his 2023 debut solo album and ballet composition Mythologies, the French electronic producer stayed behind the scenes, mostly working with artists at the studio. Now, however, Bangalter is returning with Mirage - Ballet for 16 Dancers, a new album set for release on June 5 via Alberts & Gothmaan / Erato.
Bangalter also shared the first single off the new album, "Mirage: Part II." Listen to it below:
Mirage - Ballet for 16 Dancers was composed for an eponymous ballet choreographed by Damien Jalet and contemporary artist Kōhei Nawa. Divided in eight parts, the music combines ambient with industrial, IDM, and trance. Today's single "Mirage: Part II" offers almost ten minutes of churning beats, oscillating between full-bodied warbles and delicate synth modulations.
Composing for a ballet interested in ritual, the natural elements, and electronic minimalism, Erato France writes in a promotional post, "Thomas Bangalter takes a sculptural approach to sound and music in the lineage of Iannis Xenakis." They continue: "The cofounder of Daft Punk continues to carve a personal path grounded by experimentation as a mode of performance and the pleasure of collaboration."
Bangalter also posted an official album trailer, with footage of the dancers performing to snippets of his forthcoming music. Watch it below:
Bangalter also announced an immersive live performance called "Warehouse Artefacts," where he'll be bringing his music to Art Basel in Switzerland on June 20. Rampa is set to play a DJ set with a special guest, who is yet to be revealed.
Mirage - Ballet for 16 Dancers is out June 5 via Alberts & Gothmaan / Erato. Pre-order here. Official tracklist:
- Mirage: Part I
- Mirage: Part II
- Mirage: Part III
- Mirage: Part IV
- Mirage: Part V
- Mirage: Part VI
- Mirage: Part VII
- Mirage: Part VIII
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