The new M83 album is scheduled to be released next week. Song titles like Graveyard Girl and Dark Moves of Love seem to indicate that the new album inhabits the same teen horror movie universe Gonzalez scored on Before the Dawn Heals Us, and in some aspects Saturdays=Youth is similar to his previous album. He continues to develop the synth-drama genre; again adding teen angst dialog to his hyperemotional compositions. Some of the same sonic touchpoints are there: shimmering post-shoegaze guitar, Eno ambience, Jan Hammer's Miami Vice scores. The feeling of Saturdays=Youth, however, is a significant departure from that of its predecessor. The emotion in Before the Dawn Heals Us was exciting but threatened violence. In contrast, this album is much gentler. It is filled with sunlight, blue sky, and dreamy space. Its characters take pleasure in and are connected by their heightened emotions and this feeling is reflected in their soundtrack. The soundscapes are lighter and the melodies have a greater pop influence, at times recalling Tears for Fears or Wish era Cure.
I approached this album looking for more of the shivers I get when listening to Before the Dawn Heals Us and found something very different. I do miss the darkness a little, but this is a highly enjoyable album and should make for great Summer listening.
Saturdays=Youth : Track 7 - We Own the Sky
Pre-order the new album "Saturdays=Youth"
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