Its been a while but fortunately Anthony Gonzalez- the mastermind behind the shoegaze/screengaze/ambient/post-rock/electronica project that is M83- has returned with a new album. In contrast to previous efforts though, this is not considered to be a "proper" M83 album (a new "proper" M83 album is destined for january 2008) but a collection of ambient works which were digitally created (hence why this is called "digital shades") during the 2006 M83 Americal tour. Furthermore, Anthony plans to release more purely ambient albums like this, making an on-going series (hence the "volume 1" in the title).As a result, there is no interplay between lush synths and distortion, noise and/or quitars (something which was evident in previous M83 albums like "Dead cities, red seas and lost ghosts" or "Before the dawn heals us"). Hence, all tracks sound like some of the previous album's (Before the dawn heals us)slower, orchestral, ambient moments like "In the cold i'm standing", "I guess i'm floating", "let men burn stars" or even "farewell/goodbye". Despite that, don't excpect to find the typical cafe del mar moments, but the characteristic, intense, cinematic M83 sound.



Anthnony's sound is quite minimalistic, based on repeatitive hooky, loopy themes which build and build with more and more sounds and/or melodies added in the process. The opening track "waves, waves, waves" actually does sound a bit like a more typical cliche ambient track, with repeatitive building synths spawned alongside samples of seawaves. But this first track marks the end of the ambient cliche, and from track 2 the album builds and glows into something which is exquisite and special.


The ochestral tones of "coloring the void"-the second track of the album- make some of the most simple but beautifull pieces of electronic music i've ever heard. Based on a simple repetion of an orchestral sound, the track introduces some perfect strings, pads and high pitched choruses. Towards the end of the track, where all sounds seem to come in full-effect, a high pitched dreamy angelic voice(s) seems to repeat something like: "Can you see this void, can you keep me some colors"... adding an extrancing tone to the lush melancholic romance. Third track- "Sister part. 1" is expressed through typical M83 emotional soundscapes leading to the darkness of the forth track "Strong and wasted". Starting with sounds of nature (singing birds?)don't expect nice and sweet synth presents. Making the darkest track of the album, a slowly rising string ensemble demonstrates a theme which sounds like it is taken from a cult horror b-movie. The melody which is played played alongside developing synth noise and sounds of nature creates a weird, anxious or even angry feeling to the listener...leading to "My own strange path"- another cinematic track which sounds a bit like some of Vangelis' classic moments.


In a matter of fact the next track- "Dancing mountains" sounds a LOT like "Opera Sauvage-Bladerunner" Vangelis era. Based on a repeatetive piano and some very Bladerunnerish Vangelis-like fat rising strings, the track stops around 2 minutes, only to kick back around a minute and a half later with a beatiful crescendo. Next track "Sister part. 2" is compised of the music of "Sister part.1" coupled with Anthony's soulfull voice, resembling tracks like "farewell/goodbye", making another beautiful moment. The last three tracks of the album are flawless and perfect. The vast orhestral melancholy of "By the kiss" (a track which was already used in a film soundtrack), embodied within a moody string ensemble coupled with fastly fading synth sounds, imposes an agonizing moody trance to the listener, before the next track- "Space fertilizer- lifts him/her up with new-agey feelings of cosmic love and unity. The current track which is comprised of spacey retroish vibrating moogy sounds and delayed high-pitched crystal synths possibly refers to the great space/krautrock music of the 70s with names like Kraftwerk, Neu!, Klaus Schulz or Vangelis of the "Albeido 0.39"- "Heaven and hell" era. Its positivistic beauty comes in marked contrast to the gloom and sadness of the previous track ("by the kiss"), but M83 is/are famous for creating both delerious and agonizing moments, being capable of both heaven as hell.


The last track, "The highest journey", possibly worths the album's amount of money alone IMO. Whilst the actual duration of all tracks is around 2-4 minutes, the highest journey is an 8-minute minimalistic layered orchestral journey in the vein of "lower your eyelids to die woth the sun". The simplistic and beautifull repetition of a lonely and nostalgic piano is layered alongside a gradually rising synth-pad which seems to build forever, before exploding in a polyphony of heavenly angelic pads and choruses, striking the listener with moments of astounding emotional beauty. It is one of these moments that make you think of the power of music.

I saw that there is an extra bonus track called "Bruits de train" but i couldn't find it on my cd. Maybe it comes only as an mp3 or something? It's a pitty actually because samples sound great.



All in all, "Digital shades vol.1" whilst purely ambient, is still a purely M83 album. If ambient is a kind of abstract tapestry of sounds, or a soundscape which is able to mimic every possible external and/or internal enviroment, then "Digital shades vol. 1" is an ambient album in the true sense of the word and would possibly make people like Brian Eno proud. The only negative aspect is the small duration of the tracks (and hence of the album), making the listener to crave for more.


In the era of cheap and plastic electronic music, where everything is made to satisfy and sell, the current album comes as a true avant-garde oasis of emotion. Ambient/electronica fans make sure to give a listen.




8,5/10.