ARTIST:
M83

ALBUM:
HURRY UP, WE'RE DREAMING

KEY TRACKS:
MIDNIGHT CITY
WAIT
ANOTHER WAVE FROM YOU
NEW MAP

"the city is my church"

It's been awhile since my last update, so I've come back with a bang.  M83's masterpiece, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming has been one of the most played, most sampled, and most talked about albums of 2011.  Seriously, who hasn't messed with the iPod at a party just to put on "Midnight City"?

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is as otherworldly as M83's namesake galaxy:  Messier 83.  Interestingly, the Messier galaxy is just as equally whimsical:  it's a pinwheel of deep reds, purples, and pinks in space's deep abyss.  This is the brainchild of French DJ Anthony Gonzalez who has managed to merge modern shoe gaze music with 80's beats to create a whimsical blend of wild joy.  If there is one thing I can say about Gonzalez, it's that he knows how to create a tense build up of emotions that burst into life through his music.  There's joy in this album, lots of it, some nostalgia, but most of all there's energy.  This is the album I've got playing in my apartment when I'm getting ready to go out.  This is the essential "going out" soundtrack.  

Yet there's some naivety as well ridden in the tracks.  It's quite funny actually to hear  two girls talk about frogs in "Raconte-Moi Une Histoire".  "I heard about this frog," the child says, "it's a very tiny frog...but if you find it and if you touch it, your world can change forever".  The dreamer in me wants to believe it's a fun little story the girls are telling, but the realist and cynical side of me thinks it's about "bufo" toads.  You know, those toads the kids are licking these days to hallucinate?  Regardless, the song still cracks me up every time I hear it.  Not to mention the backing music is probably some of the best on the album.  

"Wait" is such a gem on this album.  It's subdued, but it really showcases Gozalez's remarkable voice.  There's longing here, that incredible emotion that transcends the lush backing melodics.  "Another Wave From You" is another favorite, and really put's Gonzalez's talents for building and layering sounds until they burst.

"New Map" is another testament to the emotionality of Anthony Gonzalez's interesting voice. Just the opening line:  "there's a hole in your heart" is more like a full on wail.  It's emotive and longing qualities, much like the song's overall lust for adventure, are an interesting foil to a rather jumpy song.

Last, and most certainly not least, is the album's explosive single "Midnight City".  A track full of goblin-esque shouts, catchy loops, and 80's bass that all build up to one of the most ridiculous saxophone solos I've ever heard.  Ridiculous in that it sounds so right.  It's the cherry on top of a sundae:  just enough to make it feel over the top without going too overboard.  

I lucked out in scoring a ticket to see M83 live when they visited Nashville awhile back.  Let me tell you, the moment that saxophone player came out to round out "Midnight City".  The crowd, myself included, went bat-shit crazy.  There's just something about saxophones these days...as evident from it's heavy use with other mainstream artists like Bon Iver.

Overall Hurry Up is most definitely an album that will remain in heavy rotation for quite some time.  Interestingly, as much as I love the music, I love the album's title just as much.  It's telling you to hurry up and take it easy.  Hurry up and have a good time.  Hurry up and be happy.  Feel good.  Whatever it is, hurry up.  Get there.  

LISTEN:  MIDNIGHT CITY  |  WAIT |  ANOTHER WAVE FROM YOU  |  NEW MAP

NEXT WEEK:  ANDREW BIRD  |  BREAK IT YOURSELF