M83

Anthony Gonzalez, from Antibes on the French Riviera, has run M83 solo since Nicolas Fromageau's departure — best known for widescreen, tears-in-the-synthesizer dream pop. Digital Shades Vol. 1 (2007) is the deliberate opposite: a largely instrumental ambient and drone set, the first of a side-series, written, composed and performed entirely by Gonzalez. "The highest journey" is the album's longest piece at 8:16, sitting where the record drifts furthest into pure texture. The series is patient — the sequel, DSVII, didn't arrive until 2019, twelve years later. In July 2026 M83 announced a tenth album, I Wrote You a Letter, for release in September 2026.

From the notes for Episode 02 · fact-checked Sep 23, 2026.