Thomas Bangalter Releases 'Mirage,' New Solo Album Born From Ballet

Thomas Bangalter has released Mirage, an eight-track album through French classical label Erato. The project originated as a score for 16 dancers at Geneva's Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, developed in collaboration with Belgian choreographer Damien Jalet and Japanese contemporary artist Kōhei Nawa.

From Stage to Standalone Work

What began as theatrical accompaniment evolved into what Erato describes as a "standalone masterpiece of electronic minimalism." Bangalter drew inspiration from Greek-French composer Iannis Xenakis, whose avant-garde work pioneered the use of mathematical structures and architectural thinking in 20th-century music. According to a press release, Bangalter took a sculptural approach to the album, treating sound as a physical substance to be shaped and organized, sketching outlines over thousands of hours over the last 20 years polishing his compositional skill on a graphics tablet and relying on the spontaneous movement of his hands.

Continued Shift Toward Classical Composition

The album marks Bangalter's second full-length solo release since Daft Punk's 2021 split. In 2023, he released Mythologies, an instrumental score composed for the ballet of the same name at the Opéra National de Bordeaux.

Art Basel Collaboration on the Horizon

Bangalter has also teamed up with Keinemusik's Rampa for Warehouse Artefacts, a large-scale immersive experience during Art Basel. The event is scheduled to debut at the Swiss convention center Messe Basel on June 20th.

Mirage is available now on streaming platforms via Erato, the Paris-based classical label.