Blue Plate Special: M83
M83 is a French electronic music band founded in Antibes in 1999 by Nicolas Fromageau and Anthony Gonzalez. The band’s name, inspired by the Messier 83 galaxy, reflects its expansive and ethereal sound. Initially a duo, Fromageau left after the second album, leaving Gonzalez as the primary force behind M83, leading its creative direction as the principal songwriter and vocalist.
M83 gained international acclaim with their distinct blend of dream pop, shoegaze, and ambient music. The band’s breakout success came with the 2011 album “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming,” featuring the hit single “Midnight City.” This album not only achieved critical and commercial success but also earned a Grammy nomination, solidifying M83’s place in the global music scene.
Over the years, M83 has released nine studio albums, including two soundtracks, with Gonzalez often collaborating with various artists to enrich the band’s lush soundscapes. M83’s music frequently features in films and commercials, further testament to its cinematic quality. The band continues to evolve, exploring new musical territories and themes, often drawing from Gonzalez’s influences from the 1980s cultural and musical landscape.
Some of my favorites from their catalog:
Midnight City – from the album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (2011)
Don’t Save Us From The Flames – from the album Before The Dawn Heals Us (2005)
Do It, Try It – from the album Junk (2016)
We Own The Sky – from the album Saturdays = Youth (2008)
Oceans Niagra – from the album Fantasy (2023)
Night – from the album M83 (2001)
Steve McQueen – from the album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (2011)
Run Into Flowers – from the album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts (2003)
