After seven long years, M83’s new album Fantasy has finally arrived, and it’s a sonic journey that sees Anthony Gonzalez going in search of himself. The album marks a fusion of his past selves, blending the shoegaze style of Saturdays=Youth and Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming with some of the unconventional synth tones from his polarising Junk album.
That shoegaze influence opens Fantasy on the ethereal and Waters Deep, an intro of sorts that serves as a portal into the album. The one-two punch of lead single Oceans Niagara and Amnesia starts the album strong, showcasing the cinematic and widescreen scope that Gonzalez is known for, this time skewed more toward dreamy indie rock. Folded into this style is a pleasing blend of lush synths and uplifting beats that transport the listener to an otherworldly realm, gesturing toward the title of the project and Gonzalez’s concept.
However, as the album progresses, it begins to feel unnecessarily bloated. The second half of the album is weighed down by overlong run times and intros that don’t quite pay off, making it feel like the album could use some trimming. This could be due to Gonzalez’s desire to hold on to M83’s status as a dreamwave act, tacking minutes long synth experimentations onto the tops of otherwise tepid soft rock jams, as is the case with Kool Nuit.
Download and stream Fantasy here
Despite these minor quibbles, Fantasy is a welcome return to form for M83. It’s clear that Gonzalez is comfortable in his comfort zone, but he also injects some fun twists from Fantasy’s underrated predecessor, Junk. The album showcases a confident and proper return to form, written squarely from Gonzalez’s comfort zone.
While Fantasy is an exciting and engaging listen, it falls short in some areas. The album is a testament to Gonzalez’s artistic evolution, but it also feels like he’s holding back at times. Nonetheless, the lush synths, uplifting beats, and quirky elements make Fantasy a worthy addition to the M83 discography.
Watch the music video for Oceans Niagara from Fantasy below.
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