Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter contributes to new Phoenix album ‘Alpha Zulu’
Bangalter has worked with the band for decades, helping in the studio for this new album
French pop band, Phoenix have released their new album ‘Alpha Zulu’ with the help of one half of Daft Punk, Thomas Bangalter.
Previously working with the band multiple times, Bangalter first collaborated with them back in 2000 playing the synth on their track 'Embuscade'.
Alongside his Daft Punk partner Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, the duo worked with Phoenix’s guitarist Laurent Brancowitz - aka. Darlin’ - for some time in the early 90s.
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Prior to this album, Phoenix would work in the studio on their albums with the late Philippe Zdar of the dance duo Cassius. Zdar tragically died from an accidental fall in Paris in 2019.
The band's frontman, Thomas Mars told Stereogum: “The mixer played an important part on this one, and Thomas [Bangalter] from Daft Punk came a few times to help us out, just to play the role of Philippe, who was this charismatic force that knew who we were and could give us advice because he knows where we want to go, he knows where we come from, he's a friend.
"Thomas played a little bit of the same role. He knows the potential of a song; he knows what a demo could sound like. He would help us choose a little bit."
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Earlier this year footage on social media showed Thomas Bangalter in the studio with Lil Nas X.
This video from an Instagram story posted on Lil Nas X’s account is the first sighting of Bangalter in the studio since Daft Punk split up in February last year.
'Alpha Zulu', which is Phoenix's first studio album since 2017's 'Ti Amo'. Get your hands on the album here and listen to a snippet below.
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter