The first time I heard “Oceans Niagara” I thought to myself, “not again.” I didn’t want another mostly instrumental album. I wanted some synth-shoegaze tugging at my heartstrings, darn it. But these stinking two little words kept sticking with me.

Beyond Adventure!

I left for Miami Beach shortly after hearing that song for the first time. One evening I found myself alone with my rental car, a silver Dodge Challenger, and the Miami skyline beckoning. I knew what must be done.

Beyond Adventure!

Time for a joy ride. Let me tell you, if you haven’t played synthy music while the Miami skyline whizzes by your car window its a whole-ass vibe. I was living a cliche and loving it. And I’m pretty sure that’s why Anthony Gonzalez wrote this album. Even though I only knew one song from it at the time, the balance of the album fulfilled the expectations set by the release of that one song.

There’s no insta-iconic “Midnight City” track here, but does there need to be? That being said, my local alt station CD929 added “Amnesia” to their playlist and its not hard to hear why. The flourishes of synth arpeggios leading into that oh so satisfying chorus with THAT riff on the outro is a one-two punch of euphoria that ought to be illegal.

There are plenty of moody moments, too. Remember, this is M83 we’re talking about. Fans of “Wait” and “My Tears are Becoming a Sea” will appreciate the set up that “Water Deep” provides and the dreamy reprieve of “Us and the Rest” after the aforementioned “Amnesia.”

Any artist holding a standard of euphoria and nostalgia together consistently for 12 straight tracks is a pretty tall order, and no doubt most listeners to Fantasy will have their own opinions on which ones stand out. For me, the title track and “Laura” are two of them. The former has an upbeat, tribal feeling that feels like you’re in a fantasy novel (pun not intended). The latter feels like driving down a highway during golden hour.

One more song anecdote. When I turn on the closing track, “Dismemberment Bureau,” I’m taken into a more surrealistic mindset. One that I might find in a Lovecraftian film. I think of the orange lair pictured in an episode of the horror anthology “Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities.” That’s what we’re working with here. Watch the episode titled “The Viewing” – 1979 setting, Eric Andre, and psychedelic drugs. What could go wrong? But yeah, the aesthetic of that episode is what this song sounds like.

Those who are fans of M83 who find Fantasy underwhelming are those who are holding up his new work against the nostalgia of his old work, which is always a losing battle. Appreciate Fantasy for what it is, and maybe you’ll discover a fresh appreciation.

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