Thomas Bangalter has announced a new album, Mirage – Ballet for 16 Dancers, out on June 5th.
The project is yet another experimental effort from the Daft Punk member, with a press release describing the album as “a vast and atmospheric piece of electronic minimalism.” It was created as a companion piece to the ballet of the same name, which was conceived by choreographer Damien Jalet and contemporary artist Kōhei Nawa and premiered in Geneva, Switzerland in 2025. For Mirage, Bangalter took inspiration from the techniques of Greek-French avant garde composer Iannis Xenakis, who was one of the earliest architects of electronic music.
The first song to be revealed from the album will be “Mirage: part II,” set to arrive on all DSPs on Friday, April 24th. Bangalter has also revealed a trailer for the project, which sees the titular 16 dancers arranged in a circle on the floor as their movements are blurred and stuttered. Watch the teaser below.
Mirage is the latest experimental-by-way-of-classical project from Bangalter post-Daft Punk. He previously collaborated with Jalet on CHIROPTERA, with Bangalter soundtracking a dance choreographed by Jalet and French artist JR; he also released Mythologies in 2023 as the soundtrack for a ballet by the French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj and scored the 2024 absurdist film Daaaaaalí!.
Bangalter has been busy with his experimental projects, but he notably strolled down memory lane with Fred again.. earlier this year, playing a mini set of Daft Punk tunes during the final show of Fred’s “USB” London residency. It looked awesome.
Mirage – Ballet for 16 Dancers Artwork:
