Well folks, it's finally here. Tomorrow, October 18th, marks the official release of Anthony Gonzalez or M83's new album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. Over here at buffaBLOG, we have been anxiously waiting for this release since we heard the first single "Midnight City" earlier this summer. Now, I would be lying if I said I had not been listening to this album for about two months now, but preparing for the release, I shelved it so I could enjoy the magic all over again.
Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, Gonzalez's sixth release, could possibly be my favorite to date. The intro track, cleverly titled "Intro", features Zola Jesus on some haunting lyrics that builds in to one glorious climax and flows beautifully in to "Midnight City." This track still holds up as my favorite tune and with this album being a double disc, that is really saying something. M83 is known for short little tracks, packed with such a punch the listener feels like the track may never end or at least wish it never did. For this album, Gonzalez ventured out to grab hold of the listeners inner child and bottle up all of your dreams and give you twenty-two tracks of music that can make you want to change the world. Ballads like "Year One, One UFO" and "This Bright Flash" might make the listener notice the heavy synth use, which is completely true, but there is so much more happening on this record: the heart popping scattered bass lines, the guitar work that is nothing short of beautiful, and everything else that has gone in to this wonderful piece of work.
One of the more interesting aspects of this album is the presence of Morgan Kirbby, or lack there of that is. Kirbby, who added the beautiful vocals on Saturday = Youth, is not used as much for this go around. Gonzalez has gone out and found himself a new vocal styling, and has decided to take on the role himself. Gonzalez has always been a voice, but never anything like he is on his new effort. He has taken on an eighties shouting/new wave style of singing and the addition of this helped complete and strengthen the sound of this album entirely.
Gonzalez keeps the listener growing, climbing, and wanting more and more after each track. Any song on this album makes even the most simplistic of activities feel like you might be changing the world. If you don't believe me, listen to "Wait" while you are, oh who knows, brushing your teeth and tell me you don't feel different. Dreaming is full of softer ballads than his previous efforts, but does not stray from taking the plunge in to full synthed out monsters. "Steve McQueen," probably the favorite track amongst most of my friends who have listened to the album, takes the listener on a roller coaster ride of drum machines, synth overtones, and vocals that could sing you to sleep.
With a double album, one might expect the artist to stray off the path, which happens occasionally, but nothing to be upset about. M83 takes the name of the spiral galaxy Messier 83 and this album sounds like it was written dreaming of space and floating through the universe. "Echoes of Mine" and "Another Wave From You" take you an adventure through space, with Pink Floydesque sounds that are hard to ignore. I have heard this album referred to as "the soundtrack for the end of the world, or the beginning of an amazing new one." Now this might sound a bit extreme, but this is the most excited I have been for a new album since I can remember.
For once, I can safely say, an album has held up to the hype. Critics will probably rip this album apart, but for me it is everything I had hoped it could be and will continue to keep this spectacle on a very healthy listening rotation. I am proud to give this two disc masterpiece a...
Rating: A-
M83 - Intro (Feat. Zola Jesus) by edin2sun
Steve McQueen is HUGECILLO.
Chris, Pitchfork gave it a 9.1. Critics, and you, love it
A- really