M83

The self-titled 2001 debut by the French electronica act M83 displays the group's signature synthesizer-heavy sound at an early stage, but also shows the group floating abstract sonic landscapes that only hint at its later pop-informed aesthetic. (The surging "Sitting" seems like a dry run for the majestic "Run Into Flowers" from Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts.) Featuring spare beats and occasional guitar riffs amidst dense keyboard lines, the disc is practically vocal-free (excepting only a few samples), making it a more conceptual though still compelling record. ~ Eric Schneider