Giorgio Moroder Proves Disco Never Dies on ‘Déjà Vu’

Stephanie Hernandez

Giorgio Moroder has undoubtedly left his mark on modern music. The hit tracks he produced for Donna Summer in the 1970s were some first to be produced entirely electronically, making them templates for all future musicians in the Disco and Electronica genres. Moroder has since been widely regarded as the father of EDM music; pounding dance floor bass, synthesized loops and accelerating tempos can all pretty much be attributed back to Giorgio. Moroder found continued success throughout the mid-1980’s, pumping out hit after hit for artists like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Blondie and even contributing to the soundtracks for many cult favorite films (“Top Gun” anyone?). Releasing his last solo album in 1985, Giorgio slipped out of the public eye until just recently with the release of Daft Punk’s 2013 album “Random Access Memories,” where he is featured on the track “Giorgio by Moroder.” On the song, he can be heard discussing his desire to create “A sound of the future,” and it seems as though the time has finally come.

It is now in 2015 that this 75-year-old Italian producing legend has decided to release his first solo venture in over 30 years. One of, if not the most influential electronic musicians of all time is back with his 17th studio album, “Déjà Vu.” Moroder did not decide to come back into the limelight without bringing some of his friends along for the ride; the album features collaborations with Top 40 staples like Britney Spears, Sia, Charli XCX, Kylie Minogue and Kelis amongst others. The nice thing about being a legend is you rarely have trouble finding talented vocalists who want to work with you. The result is a carefully crafted record full of ode’s to the past, nods to the future and proof that Disco will never die. The record though full of 70’s and 80’s inspired instrumentation is no throwback, but instead a celebration of times past and a reminder of legacies still being created.

The record starts off with a musical interlude entitled “4 U with Love,” it is introduction into what has now become Moroder’s signature, rhythmic guitars; Moog synthesized upbeat grooves with infectiously lyrical choruses. The album’s title track follows, a collaboration with Australian singer Sia, “Déjà Vu” shows just how well Giorgio understands the balance between using innovative technology and relying on rhythm and songwriting craft. The song features twangy guitars riffs, pounding keyboards and relentless synthesized beats to keep you moving all night long. Sia’s voice soars over the Studio 54-esque production, bringing her modern and experimental style vocals to the classic glam of the glitterball era, a winning combination that proves both the genre’s resilience and Moroder’s perennial relevance.

Never sounding old or contrived, as if Moroder is attempting to pander to a younger generation, “Déjà Vu” instead is Giorgio simply making music he believes in, it’s damn good and it shows. This is made clear on the track “Diamonds.” A collaboration with punk pop starlet Charli XCX, the song allows Charli to deliver her punchy lyrics while still managing to elevate and show off Moroder’s sonic craftsmanship. A new take on the “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” motif, Giorgio’s choice to use Charli on this track only proves his love for strong female leads who can carry his songs. From here on out the album becomes more varied as it goes deeper into the night. “Don’t Let Go” features Mikky Ekko and comes in much smoother than the previous few tracks. It begins slower and builds into a more subdued dance floor jam, more anthemic in sound Mikky’s vocal range shines over sweeping keys and symphonic strings. Reminiscent of Moroder’s work on “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin, “Don’t Let Go” is similarly dramatic without being too heavily emotional. “Right Here, Right Now” presents Kylie Minogue in all her pop glory. Bringing these two giants together sounds like the best idea anyone in music has had in the last decade. An instant dance floor classic, Minogue hypnotizes and makes you feel as though you are gazing into your lover’s eyes right there on the dance floor. Giorgio then pulls the reigns back a bit with “Tempted,” a lighter pop track featuring Matthew Koma. The smart use of strings and guitars here are light enough to bring out the best in Koma’s bright voice – Think Jackson Five era Michael style lyrics meets Maroon 5 “ooh and ahhs” choruses.

The second half of the record begins with the darker “74 is the New 24.” Still by all intents and purposes a dance track, the backing is notably more industrial and gritty. Giorgio takes the opportunity to show off the darker side of disco, bringing a new layer to “Déjà Vu.” Then comes the Suzanne Vega cover, “Tom’s Diner” by none other than Britney Spears. The Queen of pop joins forces with the King of disco to breathe new life into this classic track, the story-like lyrics give Britney the chance to show off another side of herself to a generation that adores her. “Back and Forth” features Kelis’ stunningly soulful and husky voice over Moroder’s joyful keyboard melody. Her rich sound grounds the upbeat track, “Back and forth / I want more” she sings and the listener can’t help dancing in agreement. Giorgio ends his twelve-track comeback with “La Disco,” a three and a half minute musical outro of sorts. Sounding like the origins of the jam session that brought “Déjà Vu” to light, Moroder deconstructs the elements of each song into this final hurrah, the staccato guitars, the non-stop beats and his signature robotic voices all seem to say, this is disco, this is Giorgio and he is here to stay.

“Déjà Vu” represents more than just the sum of its parts. Former hit makers are often thrown to the wayside, forced to live out the rest of their days as a nostalgic reminder of the past in a world obsessed with disposable, self centered, trendy pop music. Not the case for Giorgio Moroder. With vocalized support and respect coming from industry greats like Daft Punk and James Murphy, Moroder’s name carries both weight and legacy behind it. Although his music harkens back to the glory of dance floors past, this is in no way a throwback. It is a uniquely modern way to look at dance music coming straight from the man who invented it. Giorgio is nothing if not an architect of sound, bringing the best of the past together with the iconic voices of today, he has managed to create an album that is highly relevant to current consumers of the EDM genre. As a producer, he truly brings out the best in those he chooses to work alongside, his inherent ability to transform performers into the best versions of themselves is a skill not to be taken lightly. Moroder has managed to come back and reclaim the success he enjoyed in his earlier days by re-breathing life into what can often become a world filled with stagnant pop music. “Déjà Vu” is just that, a reminder, a feeling that what we love so much about today’s music originates from days past; it came from a man named Giorgio Moroder, a name we can relish in its return to the stage.

“Déjà Vu” is available on iTunes June 16.