that's not to say that the entire album, which is a musical journey through a multitude of different sounds and styles, is one big fat ode to the decade that spawned synths as a music staple (although much of it probably could be seen that way) - there are also sweet and slow odes, such as the utterly divine wait which can make any person swoon with its gorgeousosity. and there are those tiny chunks of songs without words that seem perfect for daily backdrops to a life. but so much of hurry up, we're dreaming is built upon 80's songs that i can't help but imagine if it'd been around when john hughes was in his movie-making heyday, he would've been trying to figure out just which brat pack member could be framed by which song.
some highlights of this stellar album:
* wait - as mentioned above, wait is virtually a masterpiece of gorgeousness. you think i kid, but peeps - SRSLY. i can't even explain just how fabulously mind-blowing this song is. dreamy and layered, it builds its own world with very little effort. good lord, do i get chills when listening to this one.
* raconte-moi une histoire - not very 80's-ish, but starkly adorable with its little girl speak-sing and finger snapping, even if it is about poison frogs. and everything becomes a giant cupcake / and you keep laughing and laughing and laughing / nothing is ever quite the same really / and when you finish laughing / it's time to turn into a frog yourself / it's very funny to be a frog / you can dive into the water and cross the rivers and the ocean / and you can jump all the time and everywhere / do you want to play with me? / we can be a whole group of friends
* train to pluton - the title is so apt. small and lovely, you can easily imagine yourself in space, staring at the wonders around you.
* claudia lewis - oh, would the thompsen twins be jealous of this one. or howard jones. or anyone else kicking around in early to mid-80's who clearly influenced gonzalez with this pitch-perfect 80's knockoff. listen to this boppy, synth crazy song loud. don't resist the urge to dance.
* when will you come home - a bit celtic sounding, and more than a bit lonely, this instrumental's sweetness and simpleness is sure to touch your heart.
* soon, my friend - it starts with crickets and night and ends with wistful yet powerful longings. this song builds, layer upon layer, until its heart explodes. i'll be yours / someday
* ok pal - another fabulous example of a song that could have easily been written 30 years ago. i have a serious song crush on this one. and so would john hughes, i think. so many synths done right (passion pit could take a lesson here) and a slap-heavy bass that makes me all sorts of gooey-nostalgic for my youth.
* another wave from you - goodbye never sounded so bitterly, cosmically lovely.
* steve mcqueen - a song made for dancing if there ever was one. frenetic yet anthemic in many way, this one is another one that would benefit from listening to on full blast.
* echoes of mine - reminds me, in a small way, of poe and how some of her songs have her father's lectures in them. this one, spoken in french (as m93 is a french band, and all), adds just the right bit of levity to an otherwise soaring example of how m83 got its name. because, friends, you can easily imagine yourself in space during this one.
* and finally, the single midnight city - i like it, i do - but i don't like it best on the album. alas, that seems to be the case with me and great albums often. don't think that means it's not worth your time, though, or your multiple listens. and the sax? oh, just you wait! check it out below, and then download a remix:
Midnight City by M83
Midnight City (Big Black Delta Remix) by M83
wanna see m83 in concert? check out one of the following dates:
Oct. 15 – Mexico City – Corona Capital Festival
Oct. 28 – Washington DC – Black Cat
Oct. 29 – Raleigh, NC – Kings Barcade
Oct. 30 – Asheville, NC – Moog Fest
Oct. 31 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
Nov. 1 – Tallahassee, FL – Engine Room
Nov. 2 – Orlando, FL – The Social
Nov. 4 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Nov. 5 – Austin, TX – Fun Fun Fun Fest
Nov. 7 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom
Nov. 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Music Box
Nov. 10 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
Nov. 11 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Nov. 12 – Vancouver, BC – Venue
Nov. 13 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Nov. 16 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Nov. 17 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Nov. 18 – Toronto, ON – Lees Palace
Nov. 19 – Montreal, QC – Le S.A.T.
Nov. 20 – Boston, MA – Paradise
Nov. 22 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
hurry up, we're dreaming will be available on october 18th via mute records.
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