Pedestal 05: M83

M83, the name of a distant galaxy, is a fitting moniker for Anthony Gonzalez's acclaimed electronica band. Coming out of France at the beginning of the decade, Gonzalez and former bandmate Nicolas Fromageau began crafting music combining elements of ambient electronica, synth pop and shoegazing alternative rock that drew comparisons to Mogwai and My Bloody Valentine. Their European-released self-titled debut put all their influences out on the table, but their sound wasn't fully developed until the majestic Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts in 2003 (which I highly recommend getting, even if you're not so into electronic music). It combined loud, overbearing electronic washes with hushed overlaid vocals, ranging in tone from sprawling, ambient chillout to frantic, highly-charged crescendos, as in the still-unmatched "Run Into Flowers" and "America." Fromageau left the partnership after that album, but Gonzalez continued and released Before the Dawn Heals Us in early 2005. Enhanced with more vocals, guitars and organic instrumentation, it stayed true to the core M83 sound, with standouts like singles "Don't Save Us From The Flames" and "Teen Angst" holding up well alongside frenzied cuts like "*" and the reflective "A Guitar And A Heart." I had the chance to catch M83 live after the album's release, and it was truly a mindblowing experience. The wall-of-sound approach translated into a spectacular live show, with more emotion than I've probably ever seen in the electronica genre. Last year, M83 released the digital-exclusive ambient side project Digital Shades, Vol. 1 as a precursor to the fourth proper M83 album. Slated for release this April, Saturdays=Youth is produced by Ken Thomas (of Sigur Rós and Suede fame) and Ewan Pearson (the famous dance producer noted for his work with Goldfrapp, Ladytron and The Rapture). Said to focus more on tight song structures, and with a truly tantalizing slate of collaborators (not to mention brilliant promo artwork), it's a record I'm already anxiously looking forward to. Look out for a US tour in May (I'll definitely be in attendance), and in the meantime fill yourself in with selections from M83's albums below. Also notable is the remix work he's done for Goldfrapp, Placebo and others (including an excellent mix of Depeche Mode's "Suffer Well" that I unfortunately don't have in MP3 form).

M83, "Sitting" [YSI] (from the album M83)
M83, "Run Into Flowers" [YSI] (from the album Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts)
M83, "America" [YSI] (from the album Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts)
M83, "Don't Save Us From The Flames" [YSI] (from the album Before the Dawn Heals Us)
M83, "Coloring The Void" [YSI] (from the album Digital Shades, Vol. 1)
M83, "Couleurs" [YSI] (from the forthcoming album Saturdays=Youth)

Remixes:
Goldfrapp, "Black Cherry" (M83 Remix) [YSI] (previously featured in Mixed & Mashed 08)
Placebo, "Protege Moi" (M83 Remix) [YSI]

Check out M83's website for updates and more info.

***Note: Links removed***

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