Fantasy
by M83
  • Record Label: Mute
  • Release Date: Mar 17, 2023
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
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  1. AroundCorners
    Mar 22, 2023
    3
    It didn’t land for me and taking points for messaging around the record. I really tried too. Put it on repeat for hours while working and only Amnesia stuck out. This one is definitely just an instrumental score for a movie that doesn’t exist with a few pop structure songs with minimal a vocals mixed in. I’m cool with that but it’s just not compelling in either way. Gonzalez said in anIt didn’t land for me and taking points for messaging around the record. I really tried too. Put it on repeat for hours while working and only Amnesia stuck out. This one is definitely just an instrumental score for a movie that doesn’t exist with a few pop structure songs with minimal a vocals mixed in. I’m cool with that but it’s just not compelling in either way. Gonzalez said in an interview (paraphrasing) that fans of the more commercially successful “Midnight City” won’t get this album. Eyeroll. I do get it and we’ve all heard these albums before from bands late in their career. Brutal honesty? To me it sounds like what a bunch of guys, with no pressure to create something to keep their careers going, because they are already rich and comfortable and can do whatever they want, who say they don’t care about money or success anymore (cliche), make when locked in a studio, with the best of everything, then start to think their grand production and instrumental noodling is somehow profound and makes up for songs that aren’t good, then scold anyone who doesn’t “get it”. It probably felt great to them making it though. But if being a “anti commercial” album is the main sound bite then you know the quality of your record requires an excuse and apology up front because it’s just not very good. Love the rest of the catalog including the ambient stuff. Hope it’s better for you.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. No Ripcord
    Apr 6, 2023
    70
    Though not his strongest effort by any means, Fantasy proves that his songs can soar even if he dials it back.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 3, 2023
    50
    Fantasy is, in many ways, comfort listening; the layers of these songs form the sonic equivalent of a warm blanket. Yet this warmth, after all of M83’s successes in refining their style, wanes more quickly than it has in the past.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    Mar 20, 2023
    80
    Fantasy is a spellbinding return to form for the French producer. [May 2023, p.31]
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