Daft Punk have shared a new official video for ‘Contact’, inspired by Fortnite. Check it out below.
The song is the closing number of the French electronic duo’s fourth and final studio album, ‘Random Access Memories’, which was released in 2013 ahead of their split in 2021.
‘Contact’ now soundtracks some cinematic, sci-fi-themed visuals, following the launch of ‘The Daft Punk Experience’ on Fortnite in September.
The clip was created by Fortnite developer/publisher Epic Games and Magnopus, and begins with Daft Punk floating in space above the Earth. ‘Contact’ opens with an audio snippet from the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, used courtesy of NASA and Capt. Eugene Cernan.
From there, the epic new video sees the iconic robots on a dizzying, extraterrestrial mission as they speed through space towards a flashing signal. Watch it all unfold here:
Polygon reports that studio Magnopus consulted Daft Life – the company that acts on behalf of Daft Punk – to produce the music video, and ensure that it aligned with their “creative vision”.
Magnopus explained: “‘The Daft Punk Experience’ is a sonic and visual voyage through the minds of one of the most iconic and inspiring acts of the last 30 years. We brought it to life with multiple themed rooms, where players could remix music, battle robots, create a LEGO music video, and dance ‘til dawn.
“Building on that world, we took the opening sequence from the game and transformed it into a new music video for ‘Contact’ – the final track from Daft Punk’s final album, ‘Random Access Memories’.”
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‘The Daft Punk Experience’ provided an immersive world that allowed Fortnite players to explore 31 songs from across the group’s catalogue. There were also custom outfits, all-night dance parties, and opportunities to remix and mash-up Daft Punk’s tracks.
Additionally, gamers could see a virtual concert, featuring moments from the duo’s celebrated ‘Alive 2007’ live album.
Following its release, Daft Punk fans praised the new experience for Fortnite, with some calling it “absolutely incredible”. The experience then ended on November 1.
Fortnite has previously shared numerous music collabs as part of its rhythm game Fortnite Festival. Gorillaz, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd and Billie Eilish have all headlined the experience.
In other news, Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter played a surprise DJ set with Fred Again.. in Paris last month, while Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo has co-written a song on Rosalía‘s new album ‘Lux’.
Meanwhile, the duo are set to release a 20th anniversary reissue of ‘Human After All: Remixes’ later this month. It’ll mark the collection’s first-ever vinyl release.
In early 2024, a former session drummer for Daft Punk confirmed the existence of a lost album, claiming that “it’s coming out [of] the locker”.
