{"id":42,"date":"2022-04-13T10:02:42","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T14:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/mus122-sp22-03\/?page_id=42"},"modified":"2022-04-25T20:18:06","modified_gmt":"2022-04-26T00:18:06","slug":"around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/mus122-sp22-03\/the-sounds-of-homework\/around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"“Around the World” – A Musical Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAround the World,\u201d another iconic Punk track from their groundbreaking album <\/span>Homework<\/span><\/i>, shared many musically similar elements with their other viral track, \u201cDa Funk,\u201d while simultaneously using small variations in style and technical elements, which give the listener a glimpse into other aspects of the Daft Punk sound. This song has a more steady, repeating and simple bassline, remaining constant throughout the majority of the song. However, \u201cAround the World\u201d draws the spotlight due to its especially funky sound. The high-pitched synthesizer that fades in and out of the mix provides a disco-esque complement to the funky guitar and distorted synth that layers into the background of the arrangement. <\/span><\/h3>\n

Most notably, this disco sound comes from the repetitive, powerful bassline, the distinct melodic synth hook, and the focus on danceable rhythmic consistency that keeps a crowd moving. The timbre is mostly thick and coarse, but occasionally thins out for a more airy-sounding track. As is standard for Punk, the instrumentation consists of digitized synthesizer riffs, combined with arranged drum kits and sparse vocals. Synthesizers are used as transitions, and also contribute to the funk-style influence that drives the style of this track into the more futuristic-sounding direction. Specifically, at 3:20, there is only a repeating drum kit and synth – showing the variance in timbre. At 5:28, there is an interesting phrase where the synthesizer almost seems to mimic the vocals, which was also identified by Billboard reviewer Doug Reece, \u201cthe group does an exemplary job of communicating a hum-along chorus without the aid of a vocalist, opting instead for a stream of caustic keyboards and blippy sound effects” (Reece). The drum machines always remain constant, even as the varying synth elements fade in and out – even as they perform it live in concert, \u201cThe beat itself slows as if the whole night is winding down, speeds suddenly, lurches off course . . . The crowd cheer every variation . . . But they know that, every time, they’ll get the real beat back\u201d (Astoria).<\/span><\/h3>\n