By: Ashton Newton
There are few bands that give me the same feelings that M83 does. It’s been that way for longer than I can recall. Something about listening to their mellow synthpop sound, deciphering their poetic lyrics, and jamming out to their fast danceable tunes grabbed hold of me and refused to let me go.
That said, when “Junk” was announced I could barely contain my excitement. M83’s 2011 LP “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” was one of the most breathtaking things I’d ever listened to, and shaped the way I look at music.
“Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” was a very cinematic record; the songs went with each other and flowed perfectly. The album was hugely inspired by movies. But “Junk” is different in that the songs are meant to stand alone, yet work together in an unrelated way.
The first song to release off of “Junk” is “Do It, Try It”, and it’s apparent that M83 was trying something entirely new with their music. The song is weird, completely on purpose. The pop sound is so upbeat and all over the place that it’s so weird it’s danceable.
Weird and different sounds are very present in “Junk.” The songs “Bibi the Dog,” “Walkway Blues,” and “Road Blaster” are all very fast paced dance songs that rely on unrecognizable synthpop sounds to create a groovy beat that the queen would have no choice but to dance to.
“Junk” also has its sweet side. Susanne Sundfor lent her voice for the song “For the Kids,” a more traditional sounding ballad. “Atlantique Sud” is a beautiful French duet with Mai Lan that is the most sentimental song on the album.
Beck also makes an appearance on “Junk” in the song “Time Wind.” Beck’s vocals with M83’s music make for a really cool song. Rock artists and M83’s music go very well together.
There are some songs that are a bit underwhelming for me. M83 is known for long and epic instrumental songs like “Lower Your Eyelids to Die with the Sun” off of their album “Before the Dawn Heals Us,” but on “Junk” the instrumentals like “Moon Crystal” and “The Wizard” just feel too short and rushed for their style.
The album ends with “Sunday Night 1987,” one of the most calming songs on the album. M83 ends their albums with songs that leave you thinking and with a smile, and “Junk” is no exception.
“Junk” is an extremely satisfying album to listen to. M83 gives a new, unique sound with songs for every mood and person.
Contact the author at anewton14@wou.edu.
