M83’s ninth studio album, Fantasy, blends beautiful indie synths with nostalgia-invoking guitar riffs. The synth-pop band brings a larger-than-life vibe to the record that makes it feel like it’s straight out of an ’80s sci-fi movie or an arcade game.

This new record in no way hides the expert production and the masterful use of the instruments included on it. Once again, M83 embraces their child-like wonder, vocally recreating a feeling that is often lost as one grows up. 

Fantasy includes more vocals than usually seen on M83 records, which is not necessarily good or bad – it’s just different. As per usual, though, the instrumentals are the biggest draw for listeners of M83. 

Fantasy has only one feature, Kaela Sinclair, who does an excellent job merging into the overall style of the album. Sinclair comments on the modern perception of technology and how vital it has become to society. 

Unfortunately, the album is not too memorable in general, despite all the good things about it. It just does not have the sticking power of past M83 records.

Overall, Fantasy is a solid installment to the chronicles of M83, somewhat returning to sounds they used almost 20 years ago. While not quite a return to form, fans of classic M83 will definitely not be disappointed by their recent endeavors.