Experience the haunting soundscapes of M83’s post-rock masterpiece, *Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts*.

New York City was hit by a massive snowstorm last week, and as I watched the snowflakes dance down and strolled through the eerily quiet streets at night, I found myself drawn to M83’s second album, *Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts*.

Before Nicolas Fromageau departed and Anthony Gonzalez shifted towards more traditional pop structures, M83 produced two albums filled with mostly instrumental tracks. While the self-titled debut is somewhat forgettable, the sophomore effort showcases the duo’s inspiration from the grand, repetitive soundscapes of Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. *Dead Cities* offers a distinctly French take on post-rock, layering sound with drum machines, analog synths, and heavily processed guitar.

The album exudes a sense of liminality, perfectly embodying its title. As the gently repeating melody of “Be Wild” builds with layers, it’s hard not to envision wandering through a once-bustling city now left in silence. “America” evokes the tension of The Twilight Zone’s “Where Is Everybody?” with its frantic drums, My Bloody Valentine-style guitar, and unsettling synths that surge to an early climax.

From the very first moment, something feels off. The record kicks off with “Birds,” a brief 54-second chant:
> Sun is shining
> Birds are singing
> Flowers are growing
> Clouds are looming and I am flying

The computerized voice starts off cloaked in digital distortion, gradually revealing a calming tone that feels inherently deceptive. There’s no sun, no birds, and no flowers. The album begins with a falsehood before diving into the standout track “Unrecorded.”

“Unrecorded” serves as the album’s mission statement, blending analog arpeggios, driving drums, droning guitars, manipulated vocals, and cinematic synth strings into a wall of sound that feels like a snow-laden landscape. It’s surprising that it took Hollywood another decade to tap M83 for a film score, which came with 2013’s *Oblivion*.

M83 eventually transitioned to crafting shoegaze-inspired retro pop, producing hits like “Kim & Jessie” and the ubiquitous “Midnight City.” However, before that, they delved into a more cinematic and expansive sound.

*Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts* is available on Bandcamp and most streaming platforms, including Apple Music, YouTube Music, Qobuz, Deezer, and Spotify.