French electronica maestro M83 (aka Anthony Gonzalez), is putting the finishing touches to his third album, the follow up to 2009’s excellent Saturdays=Youth, and it will be a double album.
Consequence of Sound reports that Gonzalez has left his native land to take up residence in Los Angeles, something that seems to have given him a new creative lease of life.
The album is set to come out in October, with Gonzalez giving a typically wistful description of new material to SPIN magazine, saying, “It’s mainly about dreams, how every one is different, how you dream differently when you’re a kid, a teenager, or an adult. I’m really proud of it.
“If you’re doing a very long album, all the songs need to be different and I think I’ve done that with this one. Overall, it’s pop — and very epic. Anyone who loved M83 before, they’ll love this album even more. People that hated me, they’re going to hate this, too.”
He went on to explain how he hoped to combine the ambience and mood of Saturday=Youth with the more energised sound on his 2005 debut, Before the Dawn Heals Us. He’s also enlisted the help of vocalists Zola Jesus, Brad Laner of Medicine, and Morgan Kibby to propel his own vocals to new heights.
“All the vocals on older records was very quiet and whispery,” said Gonzalez. “This time, I feel more like a singer, even if I’m not a great singer. There’s so much improvement in my vocals. People will be surprised.”
Gonzalez had some other impressive helpers on board for the new album, including Beck and Justin Meldal-Johnsen assisting with production.
