When Did Daft Punk’s Instant Crush Come Out?

Electronic music enthusiasts and indie pop fans alike know the feeling of hearing those iconic, heavily processed opening synth-chords and the unmistakable, dreamy falsetto of Julian Casablancas. “Instant Crush,” the massively popular collaboration between French electronic duo Daft Punk and The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, stands as one of the definitive tracks of the 2010s. But when exactly did this melancholic modern anthem make its way into the world?

The track officially dropped on May 17, 2013, as part of Daft Punk’s critically acclaimed fourth and final studio album, Random Access Memories. However, its journey to becoming a global single happened a few months later. While the album itself debuted in mid-May, “Instant Crush” was released to radio stations as the album’s fourth official single on November 22, 2013.

To understand the impact of the release, it helps to look at the unique context of Random Access Memories. Daft Punk famously pivoted away from the heavy electronic sampling of their earlier work, opting instead for a warm, organic, 1970s and 80s analog sound recorded with live studio musicians. For “Instant Crush,” Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo reached out to Julian Casablancas after meeting him at a New York studio. Casablancas contributed the distinct vocal melody, layered thick with Daft Punk’s signature vocoder and auto-tune effects, creating a haunting juxtaposition between upbeat disco-funk instrumentation and heartbroken, existential lyrics about missed connections.

The release of the single was accompanied by a memorable, bittersweet music video directed by Warren Fu. The video features wax figures of Casablancas and a medieval-era woman coming to life in a museum exhibition before a tragic fire melts them together—a visual metaphor that matched the song’s themes of unrequited love and fleeting moments.

More than a decade after its 2013 release, “Instant Crush” remains a fan favorite, enduring as a masterclass in blending indie rock grit with glossy, emotional electronic production.