Even in the year that Yeezus shook the world, Daft Punk's epic disco suite Random Access Memories had a more tangible influence, yanking disco from the dollar bin and bringing it back into vogue.
Here are five 2014 albums that might have sounded different had a French duo not RAM'd the disco doors back open.
Don't forget to visit our 2014 in Lists section to see more of our Year-End coverage.
Top 5 Albums Heralding Disco's Return:
5. Les Sins
Michael
While Toro Y Moi's past singles "Fetch" and "Taken" found mastermind Chaz Bundick revelling in house influences, his 2014 full-length as Les Sins embraced a slower, more groove-based sound that often evoked house's funkier ancestor.
4. Duck Sauce
Quack
Revered DJs A-Trak and Armand Van Helden had a surprise viral hit with "Barbra Streisand" in summer 2010. Their long-awaited 2014 LP, Quack, was more hi-NRG than disco, but the influence is felt throughout, especially on "Everyone" and "Time Waits for No-One."
3. The Juan Maclean
In a Dream
John MacLean and collaborator Nancy Whang (LCD Soundsystem) broke from the DFA dance-punk and electronic template to issue a space odyssey that heavily referenced Giorgio Moroder's cosmic Italo disco.
2. Giorgio Moroder
74 is the New 24
Since "Giorgio By Moroder," Giovanni Giorgio has been in high demand, headlining festivals and releasing his first new music since the '90s. The title, 74 is the New 24, is a bold statement that Moroder might not be making had the robots not forced a mainstream critical re-evaluation of his influential work.
1. Todd Terje
It's Album Time
Terje's been refining his cosmic sound for a few years now, but after his anthemic house breakout "Inspector Norse" ruled 2012, he embraced more classic disco sounds on his first full-length, transcending his nu-disco origins and crossing over to a more mainstream audience.
Here are five 2014 albums that might have sounded different had a French duo not RAM'd the disco doors back open.
Don't forget to visit our 2014 in Lists section to see more of our Year-End coverage.
Top 5 Albums Heralding Disco's Return:
5. Les Sins
Michael
While Toro Y Moi's past singles "Fetch" and "Taken" found mastermind Chaz Bundick revelling in house influences, his 2014 full-length as Les Sins embraced a slower, more groove-based sound that often evoked house's funkier ancestor.
4. Duck Sauce
Quack
Revered DJs A-Trak and Armand Van Helden had a surprise viral hit with "Barbra Streisand" in summer 2010. Their long-awaited 2014 LP, Quack, was more hi-NRG than disco, but the influence is felt throughout, especially on "Everyone" and "Time Waits for No-One."
3. The Juan Maclean
In a Dream
John MacLean and collaborator Nancy Whang (LCD Soundsystem) broke from the DFA dance-punk and electronic template to issue a space odyssey that heavily referenced Giorgio Moroder's cosmic Italo disco.
2. Giorgio Moroder
74 is the New 24
Since "Giorgio By Moroder," Giovanni Giorgio has been in high demand, headlining festivals and releasing his first new music since the '90s. The title, 74 is the New 24, is a bold statement that Moroder might not be making had the robots not forced a mainstream critical re-evaluation of his influential work.
1. Todd Terje
It's Album Time
Terje's been refining his cosmic sound for a few years now, but after his anthemic house breakout "Inspector Norse" ruled 2012, he embraced more classic disco sounds on his first full-length, transcending his nu-disco origins and crossing over to a more mainstream audience.
