Ain't Over Til the Fat Lady Sings

I hadn't heard any news on M83 in ages. Their last release was back in the Fall of 2005 (and it was actually a re-issue of their first self-titled album originally released in 2001). Their myspace hadn't been updated in over a year, the same with their website. Then today, out of nowhere, a myspace bulletin:

Just after the « Before the Dawn Heals Us » US tour, Anthony Gonzalez decided to develop a musical direction already heard on some earlier M83 tracks and he started to write and record a collection of ambient works. Having long been a Krautrock and Eno fan this was a kind of music that Anthony has always been familiar with. Recorded primarily at his home studio with the assistance of Antoine Gaillet, who had previously worked .. the Dawn Heals Us” , Anthony was able to work without pressure, knowing he could work on the record at his own time and pace. The idea of digital, relevant during all the process (from creating the music to sharing it), gave him the idea to call the project "Digital Shades vol.1", and to make the album part of an ongoing series.

Originally recorded in 2006, “Digital Shades vol 1” marks the beginning of a new period of activity for M83, since Anthony is already back in the studio working on a brand new album which will be released in January 2008.

This first volume of the Digital Shades series shares many qualities of previous M83 records but also follows its own individual elegiac, lunar and dream-like path. In keeping with the creative thinking behind the album, “Digital Shades Volume 1” will naturally be released on all digital download formats worldwide, as well as on more traditional formats such as vinyl and CD in France.

M83, "Digital Shades Volume 1" - OUT SEPT 03 2007 in France & USA
Release date in UK & other countries... will be announced shortly !

STAY TUNED : FIRST NEW SONG WILL BE UPLOADED IN A FEW DAYS ON http://myspace.com/m83 !


I really, really, really hope they do a US tour. They are one of the first bands I went to see on a whim that really rocked. In their live shows, all the mellow parts of their songs are mellow...but all the rocking, and evenly mildly rocking parts come to life. Tons of gritty guitar, explosive drumming, keyboards, the works. Do not miss them if they come to town.