With hundreds of albums being released this year, how does one distinguish between the good and the bad? What makes M83's new album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming float to the top of the music pool?
The hazy beats that encapsulate the mind make listening to this album an experience, a getaway from the stressors of daily life. That feeling of serenity, paired with equally as engaging lyrics makes this album worth a listen, out of those hundreds released.
French-electronic musician, Anthony Gonzalez, is the man behind M83. He decided to approach this album differently by creating 22 tracks, splitting the album into two parts. This choice marks up the iTunes classic $9.99 price-tag to $14.99. Is this a risky choice in today's economy? Will the extra five dollars be a deal-breaker?
Signs point to ""no,"" based on the enthusiastic fan-base surrounding M83. Gonzalez's previous album, Saturday=Youth released in 2008, claimed the No. 4 spot on Billboard's Dance/Electronic chart, selling over 76,000 copies. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is set to be released on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Unfortunately, M83's 2011 tour passes over Madison, but hits Minneapolis and Chicago in November. For now, we can use iTunes to pick up the new album, or Spotify for free listens.
The strong point of the album is the recognizability of outside musical influences. This familiarity factor immediately allows the music to sink in a little deeper, hitting all the right emotional chords. While I was listening to it, I noticed apparent connections to a Sigur Ros-style full-sounding feeling, where the white noise was limited, or non-existent. There was also a dream-like melody within an electronic beat, similar to styles produced by Gayngs.
However, M83 definitely shows a more upbeat inflection throughout their songs, making them unique. Albeit, the relaxed beats provide a time of reflection within the album, which integrates the album and provides a cohesive feel.
Some tracks that stuck out were ""Year One, One UFO"", ""Where the Boats Go"", ""Wait"", and ""Splendor."" If you've got a limited amount of time, these are the singles that are most worth listening to.
Overall, the album was a heart-felt flow of lyrics and beats that would be a positive addition to anyone's music collection. Of course, no album's content are purely divine. A few songs became quickly repetitive and cluttered with noise that had no apparent purpose. Considering these factors, the album has earned itself a B+. It will definitely add more to your life than take away —happy dreaming.
