M83's 'Junk': An Arcane Dive into Nostalgia

M83's newest release, "Junk," presents a perplexing exploration of vintage sounds. While the project has previously mined nostalgia successfully, notably with its 2011 album "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming," "Junk" ventures into more arcane territory. This latest offering avoids a direct reaction against its predecessor's '80s neon aesthetic. Instead, it doubles down on nostalgic influences in unconventional ways.

The album showcases familiar M83 elements like lush synthscapes and French narration. However, it deviates from prior hits with a focus on massive synth lines reminiscent of Pointer Sisters tracks and a meta contribution from '80s guitarist Steve Vai. This collaboration on "Go!" borders on irony, highlighting a recurring flaw in the album's dedication to '70s and '80s FM ephemera.

Tracks like "Laser Gun" and "Road Blaster" feature large synth hooks, while instrumental pieces such as "Moon Crystal" and "Tension" perfectly replicate the incidental music of the early '80s. This precise homage raises questions about its ultimate purpose, making "Junk" arguably the project's strangest, though not necessarily best, work.