8 lesser-known facts about deadmau5’s ‘Random Album Title’ on its 8-year anniversary
8 years ago today, deadmau5 released his seminal third LP, Random Album Title. In many ways, the album has become the defining release of the Canadian producer’s catalogue. Aside from serving as his break into the mainstream spotlight, it canonized his legendary progressive house style. For many fans, including us here at Dancing Astronaut, it remains Joel Zimmerman’s strongest work to date.
The album was released on September 2, 2008, on Ultra Records, Ministry of Sound, and Mau5trap. It contained 10 tracks, ranging from cerebral house cuts like “Somethings Things Get, Whatever” to progressive anthems like “Not Exactly.” The album also arrived in a mix format with two bonus tracks, including a Piano version of “Faxing Berlin” and a trance-influenced composition titled “Arguru.”
In celebration of its 8-year anniversary, we’ve compiled 8 lesser known facts about Random Album Title.
1. The album’s first single, “Faxing Berlin,” also served as deadmau5’s first official single, and received support from Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1.
2. Random Album Title was the first album to use deadmau5’s now iconic Arial Black font.
3. “I Remember,” deadmau5’s collaboration with Kaskade, became the album’s most popular cut, topping Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart in its September 6, 2008 issue.
4. “Arguru” was co-produced by progressive house artist Chris Lake, who boasts numerous collaborations alongside deadmau5, including “I Said” and “I Thought Inside Out.”
5. “Arguru” was named after Juan Antonio Arguelles Rius, a software developer and musician whose nickname was “Arguru.”
6. “Slip” is named after its recurring hook which ‘slips’ in and out of time over the course of the track.
7. “Brazil (2nd Edit)” has been sampled numerous times by everyone from Kylie Minogue to Taio Cruz.
8. The first edit of “Brazil” never saw an official release. As opposed to the popular “Second Edit,” the original is a chilled-out dowtenmpo piece with acoustic drums and a post-rock arrangement.