M83 - Saturdays = Youth

It’s an interesting fifth album from M83.

I came into Saturdays = Youth expecting a progression in M83’s sound, and as I did get that at times, this record feels convoluted. There are tracks spearheaded by Anthony Gonzalez’s subdued vocal presence, and others with large instrumental passes. This variation between the two formulas makes for an uneven listening experience, one that I hoped would be better.

There is also some female vocal appearances from Morgan Kibby on tracks such as “Skin Of The Night” and “Up!” Her voice doesn’t seem to fit the M83 aesthetic, as it is too pronounced and takes the spotlight away from the instrumentals. This is one of the most negative aspects of the album, as the tracks with her vocals tend to struggle to find a footing.

The final track on this album is also a doozy, as it is eleven minutes of what feels like nothing. The only time I could imagine putting this song on is when I actively want to get bored, which isn’t often.

However, there are some standout tracks on this album, with “Kim & Jessie,” “Graveyard Girl,” and “We Own The Sky” being absolute phenomenal pieces of work. If the whole album was as great as these tracks, we would have a masterpiece on our hands. These songs, especially “Graveyard Girl,” are some of my favorite songs put out by M83 so far.

It’s a solid album, and not a blemish on M83’s decent track record. I am eagerly excited to see where M83 takes their talents next on Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, which I’ve heard is pretty good.

One word to summarize this album: Inconsistent

You Appearing: 6/10
Kim & Jessie: 8.5/10
Skin Of The Night: 6.5/10
Graveyard Girl: 10/10
Couleurs: 6.5/10
Up!: 5/10
We Own The Sky: 9/10
Highway of Endless Dreams: 6.5/10
Too Late: 7/10
Dark Moves Of Love: 9/10
Midnight Souls Still Remain: 2/10

Cumulative Track Score: 69/100
Given Score: 70/100