Gonzalez and Fromageau parted ways shortly after touring their second album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts. Gonzalez records primarily on his own, with other artists as guest musicians. The band is signed to Mute Records and found international success in 2011 with the single "Midnight City". Their most recent album Fantasy was released on 17 March 2023.
Anthony Gerard Gonzalez (born March 13, 1980) grew up in Antibes, France together with his brother Yann. His family had a great interest in football and Gonzalez had trials with AS Cannes, while his maternal grandfather is the French international Laurent Robuschi. At the age of 14 he got injured and turned to music instead after his parents bought him a guitar. Gonzalez developed his interest in music and American culture while at secondary school. Together with Fromageau he formed a post-rock outfit called My Violent Wish.
At the age of 17, Gonzalez bought a synth to record a demo, which he sent to a number of French labels. When the Paris-based Gooom Records appeared interested, he recruited Fromageau to "help me because I didn't feel like I had the shoulders to carry the project on my own". The band is named after the galaxy of the same name.
The band's musical aesthetic is characterized by extensive use of reverb effects and lyrics spoken softly over loud instruments. Gonzalez has been inspired by aspects of the American Dream and his songs have been outlined as themed around "adult-scripted teen dreams". Inspiration for the 1980s style found in much of Gonzalez’s music includes bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Pink Floyd, and Tangerine Dream. Between various electronic music properties and album artwork, M83’s style includes a mix of both contemporary pop and 1980s dream pop.
Kool Nuit
M83 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fille du feu et du vent
Je voyage seule dans le temps
Toute seule
Regarde-moi, reste un peu
Prête-moi ton image
Pleurent mes nuits
Les visages et les voix
S'effacent
Andy
Tell me
Andy
Tell me
Andy
Tell me
Andy (the presence)
Tell me (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
See me (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
See me (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
(The presence)
The first verse of the song, "Je suis, Fille du feu et du vent, Je voyage seule dans le temps, Toute seule, Regarde-moi, reste un peu," can be interpreted as the singer introducing themselves as a person who is a product of passion and freedom, someone who travels through time alone. The use of fire and wind suggests a passionate and unpredictable nature, while the line "Je voyage seule dans le temps" suggests a sense of loneliness or isolation in their journey through life. The singer then invites someone to "Regarde-moi, reste un peu," urging them to look at them and stay for a while, implying a desire for connection and companionship.
The next verse, "Prête-moi ton image," which translates to "Lend me your image," can be understood as the singer asking someone to share their perception and understanding of themselves. They seek to borrow the other person's perspective to gain insight and perhaps even a different sense of identity. It suggests a longing to be seen and understood by someone else, as if searching for validation or affirmation of their existence.
The following lines, "Mélancolie, Pleurent mes nuits, Les visages et les voix, S'effacent," which mean "Melancholy, my nights weep, Faces and voices fade away," depict a sense of sadness and loneliness. The singer reflects on how their nights are filled with sorrow, and how the memories of people's faces and voices gradually disappear or fade away. This could symbolize the ephemeral nature of relationships and the passage of time, evoking a feeling of loss or nostalgia.
The repetition of the name "Andy" in the subsequent lines, along with the phrases "Tell me" and "See me," suggests a plea for attention or validation from this person named Andy. The repeated use of "the presence" further emphasizes a longing to be acknowledged or recognized by someone. It could imply that Andy holds a special significance to the singer, and they desperately want to be seen and heard by them. Overall, these lyrics convey themes of loneliness, longing for connection, and the transient nature of relationships and memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Je suis
I exist
Fille du feu et du vent
Daughter of fire and wind
Je voyage seule dans le temps
I travel alone through time
Toute seule
Completely alone
Regarde-moi, reste un peu
Look at me, stay a little
Prête-moi ton image
Lend me your image
Mélancolie
Melancholy
Pleurent mes nuits
My nights are crying
Les visages et les voix
The faces and voices
S'effacent
Fade away
Andy
Andy
Tell me
Converse with me
Andy
Andy
Tell me
Converse with me
Andy
Andy
Tell me
Converse with me
Andy (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
Tell me (the presence)
Converse with me (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
See me (the presence)
Recognize me (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
See me (the presence)
Recognize me (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
Andy (the presence)
(The presence)
(The presence)
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Anthony Gerard Gonzalez, Joe Berry, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Kaela Bratcher, Yann Gonzalez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@just4stuff975
LYRICS:
Je suis
Fille du feu et du vent
Je voyage seule dans le temps
Toute seule
Regarde-moi
Reste un peu
Prête-moi ton image
Mélancolie
Pleurent mes nuits
Les visages et les voix
S'effacent
Andy, tell me
Andy, tell me
Andy, tell me
Presence (Andy, tell me)
Prеsence
Presеnce (Andy, see me?)
Presence
Presence (Andy, see me?)
Presence
Presence (Andy, see me?)
Presence
@drobinka
My favorite track from the new album. Exquisite track. Insane drums, lovely melody line, wonderful bass, great buildup to epic walls of sound. This is what I love most about M83!
The track reminded me of my M83 obsession days, those few, several years ago. I listened obsessively to all the albums, went to several concerts, read every interview with Anthony. I'm looking forward to the tour and hope M83 will play at least twice in Poland. This crew sounds best just live. Every concert of theirs is in the top of my best days and experiences of my life.
This music has been with me in the most difficult moments of life. It is also my escape from reality.
I'm extremely grateful to Anthony for sharing his art with us!
@amyburdon236
Well said! The imagery that their "walls of sound" invoke is amazing!
@jenniferh2633
Agreed. Their concert I will remember forever. So much emotion and sound, the whole place was taken on a magical journey
@michazytecki965
Beautifully said Drobinka. My favourite track from the album is Us and the rest, but this one hit me today so hard I can't stop listening to it. Pozdrowienia!
@mvvagner
Love "walls of sound" such a beautiful description
@100joeberry
Anthony, Justin, Joe, Kaela, and Yann wrote this great collaboration that held SO MANY PEOPLE spellbound in the Oakland concert; had to smile 😊!!
@WWIflyingace62
Wow. Got chills as this one reached its peak, that screamed vocalization just hits so hard. Love that little pluckity-pluck synth bit that kicks in halfway through.
@LittleBigReminders
It has a very distinct middle Eastern vibe for me, and I get images very similar to dune in my head, that popping plucky synth is just chef kiss
@robinnornvall8040
Antony captures emotion and nostalgia like no other, what a amazing artist❤
@michazytecki965
Especially nostalgia, Sunday night 1987 hits so hard man.