M83 Fantasy

Ever since he released Midnight City, one of the defining synth-pop tracks of the 21st century, Anthony Gonzalez has done everything in his power to sabotage himself. Since then, Gonzalez has tempered his life-affirming bombast with mixed results. Fantasy, his most well-rounded statement in some time, spotlights some of the highs of his mid-2010s period with more of an ambient sweep. This might imply that Gonzalez is coasting, but compared to the more fragmented melodrama of albums like Before the Dawn Heals Us, he takes a lighter, more linear route. It also stays true to the escapism he truly desires. For every meandering detour (Deceiver), Gonazalez juxtaposes the mood with guitar-driven pop rock a la Rick Springfield (Oceans Niagara). And if you're wondering, yes, it does work. Though not his strongest effort by any means, Fantasy proves that his songs can soar even if he dials it back.