I remember the first time I discovered Air was when I first saw the video for “Sexy Boy” on MTV’s Amp, which was such a great showcase of a lot of great electronica music videos at the time. I’ve been a fan ever since and consider the accompanying album Moon Safari as one of the best of the 90’s. The boys just seem to get better without any effort whatsoever. I mean it’s like they could just slack off and bullshit something together and I’d probably love it. Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel are just such masters of their craft now and it’s amazing to me listening to a lot of their music at how a lot are so similar but there’s just enough to make each unique to each other. From moody ambience to breathy pop, they strike the perfect balance for a great listening experience.
It’s no surprise really that i’ve been looking forward to their fourth album Pocket Symphony. It’ll be released on March 6th and it’s one of the top albums i’ve been anticipating this year. When I first heard the announcement of the collaborations on the album, my jaw basically just dropped. Featuring vocals from Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) and Neil Fucking Hannon (The Divine Comedy) along with Nigel Godrich (Radiohead) producing, well that’s just all-star to put it simply.
I normally don’t post tracks early, but I just had to post at least one. I’ve only listened to two tracks, “One Hell of a Party” that features vocals from Jarvis Cocker and “Mer du Japon”. The Jarvis track is kinda off-putting for me as his vocals just seem kinda tacked on to the music that would do well otherwise just by itself. His vocals just don’t seem to gel properly with this kind of ambient sound, but maybe it’s me not listening to it enough. The other track is everything you know and love about Air. From the familiar keyboards, to the breathy vocals of the title track which then breaks towards the end to delicately played keys and sounds of waves crashing. It’s just too good, and I will be the first one at the store once this one’s released.
myspace / website
Air | “Mer du Japon”
Air | “Playground Love” From The Virgin Suicides soundtrack
Air | “Sexy Boy” From Moon Safari
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I just discovered your site today via The Hype Machine. Thanks for a great music discovery site. This is ALL excellent. Am a big fan of Air too!
I think you are quite right about the vocal in “One Hell of a Party”. And generally I think that Air’s music can function perfectly well without vocals, it completes itself.
I’ve heard some of their new songs, but I can’t wait to hear the whole album! Love their work!
salute!
i dont agree about Jarvis’s vocals in “one hell of a party”. i think they are perfect, very david bowieish
love it.