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M83 has been making music for the past ten years that supplies a reasonable backdrop to daydreams and fantasies with their use of bombastic drums, loud synths, and luscious, ambient overtures. Heck, his new album is entitled, “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.” Anthony Gonzales (the frontman of M83) has made it obvious that he wants us to join him on this long journey (it is a double album) and immerse ourselves into his music.
As stated, this is a double album, so there will be a few songs that don’t seem as crucial as others. There are a few interludes that come under the 2-minute mark, but they help provide variety, and a calming groove before the next big song hits. This album hearkens back to the 80’s with its sound that is evocative of new wave/pop records coupled with a shoegaze aesthetic. M83 also believe in switching things up with other instruments that you wouldn’t expect to hear. There is a suave saxophone outro in the upbeat song, “New Map”, an acoustic guitar intro in, “Year One, One UFO”, and a great bass solo that eventually culminates into a metal-esque guitar in, “Claudia Lewis”. “This Bright Flash” is just that- the climax of the album in the form of a majestic, quick, rock track that leads the way for the last few slow tracks to close the album.
At first listen, it may seem that M83 tried to deliver too much here, but let it wash over you with repeated listens. Ultimately, you’re going to be experiencing the best electronic record released in 2011, and one of the better double albums released in recent memory.
- Frank Makri
