I’ll say it right away. There are people who might classify M83 as “techno” that is, repetitive “dance to this” type music. They’d be wrong.

M83 certainly is an electronic band using synthesized sounds as the basis for almost every track and drum machines in some instances. Yet the compositions have the intensity and flow of any good rock band and hints of guitar and drum add the perfect flavour.

The opening song on the album, “moon child” starts off slow with simple piano notes and a female voice and then launches into what can only be described as a complete wall of sound. It’s incredible.

There are also slow, less noisy tracks in which simplicity is the key. “I guess I’m floating” which features a few notes over the sound of children playing and laughing is the perfect cool down after some of the more hectic soundscapes and is completely awe inspiring.

This follow-up album also includes vocals on some tracks, such as the appropriately titled “teen angst” where, amongst the catchy, relentless beat we can hear the story of all our lives.

Also worth mentioning for its sheer craziness is “car chase terror” which starts off with a woman. Amongst the crickets of the night saying: “Look at my hands, I’m shaking. All my body is shaking”. “I saw him. He was right there” after a while; the fear in her voice sounds all to real and we are treated to this woman, and her daughter in the midst of a car chase. It’s like nothing I’ve ever heard before, the slow droning beat builds up into an epic song and all the while these two are fearing for their lives. It’s like something out of an old horror film, as terrifying and intense as songs go, believe me when I say this is

Absolutely amazing stuff.

M83 are certainly striving for a different sound and have found what is likely what many people are wanting. This is all I’ve been listening too for four days straight.

I cannot recommend this album or this band enough. Go buy this.

Favourites: I guess I’m floating, *, Teen angst, Car crash terror, Slight night shiver

Track listing: 1. Moon Child
2. Don’t save us from the flames
3. In the cold I’m standing
4. Farewell/Goodbye
5. Fields, shorelines and hunters
6. *
7. I guess I’m floating
8. Teen angst
9. Can’t stop
10. Safe
11. Let men burn stars
12. Car chase terror
13. Slight night shiver
14. A guitar and a heart
15. Lower your eyelids to die with the sun

- Dan Chubaty