Daft Punk couldn't be more right!

When you think about the roots of electronic music you think Kraftwerk, Alan Parsons Project, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Jean-Michel Jarre....and Daft Punk.
Daft Punk managed to become a reference for a style of electro that accompanies you from the dance floor to the lounge, to your own living room. Innovation meets the past for their latest album, thus delivering a product that is the result of true artists who know their stuff.
A beautiful collaboration with artists from the full repertoire: from Casablancas to Williams to Moroder...
'Get ready' is a '90s disco revive, so you'd better get ready for it; 'Instant Crush' is a beautiful 'ballad style' electro tune that easily reminds me of the '70s Alan Parsons' rhythms of 'Eye in the Sky' and 'Don't answer me' where Casablancas' voice is second to none. 'Doin' it Right' takes us through a synthetic 'dreamy' sound and we can't stop listening to it.
It is a Random Access Memories' album that draws the best from the past to revisit it in 'Daft Punk's style' as only they can.
A long waited success!

Imagine Dragons: indie success

Hard to make a difference as Indie bands seem to  grow at exponential rates...what is it then? Is it the voice of a lead singer? The tune? The Looks? The lyrics?
Imagine Dragons seem to have it; whatever the X FACTOR. We all felt like in 'Hear me' at some point in our life: that state of mind where you feel completely misunderstood and where the world around you doesn't seem to realize it. You want to scream, but you know you won't be heard, as if you were trapped within a dream.
'Amsterdam' is a beautiful introspective journey: you are conscious about what you've done, but you are hopeful for what will come next and you know that time will come.
And then you experience 'On top of the world' and 'Cha-Ching': two exotic recalls to ethnic rhythms where Reynolds goes wild on stage with his tambourine and an insatiable energy.
But what's probably even more catchy and touching is the band's attitude: a sold-out show before the official release of the album is exceptional, especially in a foreign country. They still seem to be unaware of their talent and potential: like shy kids who still try to figure out what's going on and what's happening to them. Reynolds cannot seem to stop thanking the crowd, creating a magical atmosphere whereby everyone seems to be there to share their passion for music: two hours to forget the outside world and let loose, two hours dedicated to a unique experience.
The Vegas kids have it: it is not only the talent, but the attitude towards music, the authenticity of the lyrics and the genuine behavior towards the crowd. I can only predict a great success for Night Vision's world Tour!

Wang: smoke and fire

Alexander Wang remains one of my favorite talents on the scene: despite the simplicity and geometrical cuts of his garments, his attention to details is admirable. Single pleats, twists, 'gloved sleeves', coupled with a wonderful mix of fabrics: leather, wool, fur, felt, mohair. Not to mention his non-apparel range: double-handled 2-sided handbags, pointy shoes 'softened' with chunky woolen socks. The colour palette is not surprising for his AW13 collection: shades of smoky grey revived by contrasting red-haired models.

The loves? Flaming red hair ponytails and fur 'boxing' gloves: as usual A. Wang cannot escape his Rock and underground touch...I love it!

Zero Dark Thirty: a time for landing?

It would be difficult for me to say what I was expecting from Katryn Bigelow's latest movie. Two things were certain though: I admire her work and I knew it would be difficult to portray such a recent historical event without being highly criticized.

Because the result was indeed a portrayal: a narrative of a secret mission without much controversy or questioning of the actual facts. Narrating the story about the capture of one of the most wanted men in history after not even a year would be very compromising and restrictive if the project was to challenge and highlight any controversy behind Bin Laden's capture.
Hence, the result is a quasi-documentary of the actual events: a powerful documentary though that pays honor to Bigelow's skills and a tremendously captivating lead character.
Jessica Chastain is surreal: her eyes and expression draw the spectator without needing for her to speak or move. A hypnotizing effect only achievable by a true star, and under Bigelow's direction she unquestionably blooms into a star!
The interrogation scenes were harsh, the years of investigation before the capture were far beyond a 'job' conception: a true life dedication. The movie did not question any steps undertaken by the US military nor the likeliness that Bin Laden was truly sleeping in his house that morning; it mostly told the story of a bright lonely career woman whose bravery and exhaustion culminate in a final scene with Chastain blasting into tears. The only 'motherfucker' woman agent who truly believed in her convictions and acted accordingly in a men's dominated world: a searcher for justice and for a better world, a perfectionist. Traits that are not unfamiliar to Bigelow; Maya (Chastain) is a female 'Bodi'...only operating on the side of justice.

My answer is that it is not yet time for 'landing' for Bigelow: her movie is captivating and moving, maybe not in the way we would expect, but it still is!