Junk

Junk

by M83
Junk

Junk

by M83

CD

$16.99 
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Overview

The success of Saturdays = Youth and Hurry Up, We're Dreaming led M83's Anthony Gonzalez to even bigger, arguably less personal, projects like his score for the 2013 sci-fi blockbuster Oblivion, so it's no surprise that he reclaims his independence -- sometimes willfully so -- on Junk. With the audacious opener "Do It, Try It," a fantasia of tweaked vocals, slap bass, and unapologetically cheap-sounding MIDI piano, he and Justin Meldal-Johnsen let listeners know that the sequel to "Midnight City" isn't happening here. Instead, they deliver a love letter to vintage schmaltz that finds the treasure in what many consider trash. If Saturdays = Youth was a sweeping tone poem to the glamour of John Hughes' '80s, then Junk's look and sound prove M83 is just as devoted to the decade's decidedly uncool side. The album's artwork is bedecked with shaggy puppets that look like The Great Space Coaster rejects and scrawled lettering straight out of Punky Brewster, and Gonzalez and Meldal-Johnsen revel in their musical equivalents: the harmonica solo on "Sunday Night 1987" -- a title that distills Junk's mood and inspiration perfectly -- hasn't been used in such a genuine fashion since 1987. "Bibi the Dog" shows the era's Europop novelties some love, while "Moon Crystal"'s perky strings, brass, and keys are equally breezy and comforting, evoking a world lit only by the glow of a TV set. Elsewhere, the panoramic synths of M83's earlier work are traded for sharp-edged, aggressively digital sounds that connect less overtly retro moments like "Walkway Blues" and the high-octane romance of "Go!" and "Road Blaster" to the rest of the album. Junk's cultural dumpster-diving works so well because it's done with lots of love and zero irony. As Gonzalez mourns lost times, people, and sounds, the album's poignancy feels more genuine than its influences: the syrupy, borderline maudlin "For the Kids" could've been recorded by Bette Midler or Dionne Warwick for an animated kids' movie back in the day, but also lays bare the wide-eyed sentimentality of M83's earlier music. Meanwhile, "Solitude" and "Time Wind," a collaboration with Beck, capture the feeling of being small and lonely in a big world thanks to their sweeping arrangements, which feel as indebted to his work as a composer as they do to the 1980s' fondness for orchestral pop. Much like Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, Junk looks back in a way that's so accomplished that it's difficult to call it a retreat. Instead, it feels like a reminder that Gonzalez is dedicated to making music on his own terms, even if the results are polarizing. While all listeners may not share his fascination with '80s pop culture detritus, it's hard not to respect how expertly he transforms it into something genuine. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date: 04/08/2016
Label: Mute
UPC: 0724596964026
Rank: 93616

Tracks

  1. Do It, Try It
  2. Go!
  3. Walkway Blues
  4. Bibi the Dog
  5. Moon Crystal
  6. For the Kids
  7. Solitude
  8. The Wizard
  9. Laser Gun
  10. Road Blaster
  11. Tension
  12. Atlantique Sud
  13. Time Wind
  14. Ludivine
  15. Sunday Night 1987

Album Credits

Performance Credits

M83   Primary Artist
Tollak Ollestad   Harmonica
David Ralicke   Horn,Brass
Jeff Babko   Piano,Piano (Electric)
Jon Bates   Keyboards
Wendy Wang   Choir/Chorus
Susanne Sundfor   Lead,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Ian Young   Saxophone
Beck Hansen   Lead,Vocals (Background)
Anthony Gonzalez   Lead,Vocals,Talk Box,Keyboards,Percussion,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
David Raliche   Brass,Saxophone
Alex Lily   Choir/Chorus,Vocals (Background)
Zelly Boo Meldal-Johnsen   Choir/Chorus
Samantha Sidley   Choir/Chorus
Mai Lan   Featured Artist
Mai Lan Chapiron   Lead,Vocals (Background)
Jordan Lawlor   Lead,Keyboards,Featured Artist,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Inga Roberts   Choir/Chorus
Azniv Korkejian   Choir/Chorus
Sidney Wayser   Choir/Chorus
Grikug the Defiler   Flute
Steve Vai   Soloist
Justin Meldal-Johnsen   Bass,Banjo,Keyboards,Percussion,Tambourine,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Beck   Featured Artist
Lyle Workman   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Loic Maurin   Drums,Percussion
Elizabeth Lea   Horn,Brass
Jordan Katz   Horn,Brass

Technical Credits

Dave Cooley   Mastering
Tony Hoffer   Mixing
Jon Bates   Programming,Vocal Producer
Dave Palmer   Composer
Scott Ellis   Project Coordinator
Jeff Castelaz   Project Coordinator
Cameron Lister   Mixing
Carlos de la Garza   Engineer
Tim Kent   Photography
Susanne Sundfor   Composer
Jolyon Thomas   Engineer
Beck Hansen   Composer
Satoshi Noguchi   Engineer
Anthony Gonzalez   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Art Direction
Ryan Marrone   Engineer
David Schwerkolt   Assistant Engineer
Geoff Neal   Assistant Engineer
Mike Schuppan   Engineer
Yann Gonzalez   Composer
Zelly Boo Meldal-Johnsen   Monologue
Mai Lan Chapiron   Composer
Jordan Lawlor   Composer,Programming,Additional Production
Andy Ford   Assistant Engineer
Mike Fasano   Tuning,Drum Technician
Justin Meldal-Johnsen   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming
Darrell Thorp   Engineer
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