The best way to understand the new M83 album, out today via Mute, is to read the press release about DSVII:
In 2007, M83 mastermind Anthony Gonzalez created Digital Shades Vol. 1, a compendium of unused ambient tracks for diehard fans to enjoy rather than letting these works disappear into the void. It was a way to breathe life into songs that normally would not see the light of day as well as a vehicle for Gonzalez to explore areas of musical creativity separated from the pop-leaning M83 studio albums. Gonzalez credits Brian Eno's ambient collections as a primary inspiration for the creation of the Digital Shades series.Now, more than a decade later, M83 has returned with the latest installment of Digital Shades – one that adopts a grander nature and seeks to transport listeners to another time and place entirely. DSVII is influenced heavily by early video game soundtracks, '80s sci-fi/fantasy films and analog synth pioneers such as the aforementioned Brian Eno in addition to Suzanne Ciani, Mort Garson and John Carpenter.
There really is no better way to describe this record, and any criticisms I can offer, pro or con, have to go through the prism of that description up above. Still, some of what's here is beautiful, like the straightforward "Feelings", or "A Bit of Sweetness", a number which reminds one of some soundtrack work from Ryuichi Sakamoto. The cut is one of the better ones here, especially as the choice of instrumentation and tone seems less ironic than on other numbers.
Elsewhere, "Mirage" is fairly ambient, while "A Taste of the Dusk" offers up a sample that sounds faintly like a choir to anchor the number. The epic "Temple of Sorrow" is the standout here, with the cut offering up a whole range of moods when compared to the rest of DSVII. This one is pliant, with slight traces of industrial music about it. If the whole album had been as expansive as this one, a listener would have really been rewarded. As it is, DSVII remains largely an item of curiosity for all but the most devoted of M83 fans.
DSVII is out today via Mute.
More details on M83 via the official Facebook page.
[Photo: Jeremy Searle]