The French (but LA-based) icon of electronica – originally a duo but for several years now the project of multi-instrumentalist Anthony Gonzalez comes to Dubai as part of a short world tour to promote his new album Fantasy. The ninth M83 release, it’s been generally well received; NME called it “the most far-reaching album of his career: a record that’s entirely free of compromise, and all the more enjoyable for it”. Pitchfork was a bit more sniffy, asking for more raw emotion, but noted the way the album’s “wide-eyed zeal signals the band’s continued interest in reliving those early pangs of wonderment that adulthood cruelly snuffs out”. Here’s the pre-release single from the album, which doesn’t sound as bad as disappointing as Pitchfork suggests … Not sure how much of a band Gonzales is bringing to Dubai, but he usually has four or five other players on stage: just as well, since the album credits names 37 different synths or keyboards and a mammoth “effects and treatments” section that could well cover the Dubai opera’s stage knee deep with pedals …
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