M83 – A Necessary Escape (Dakar Chronicles Original Soundtrack) Album Review (AOTM May)

Nicolas Fromageau, the man behind M83, last released the stunning Fantasy album in 2023, which for me ended up among the year’s best releases. I had felt that M83 had gone through a bit of a slump for a few years, but Fantasy broke that pattern—and this new documentary soundtrack continues that upward momentum. Or perhaps more accurately, it floats gently somewhere in soft airspace. Fantasy was a more dancefloor-driven record, whereas A Necessary Escape, true to its name, transports the listener to unknown but warm corners of escapism.

The album is a beautiful whole in terms of its soundscape, blending electronic ambient moods with more melodic, grand moments of post-rock and dreampop. The concept of a soundtrack might first bring to mind massive, cinematic arrangements—but this one actually includes many relatively traditional song structures and a band-like approach.

At nearly 50 minutes long, the album never becomes boring—largely thanks to the impressive balance between cinematic scoring and more conventional music. The tracklist and transitions are also extremely well-crafted, building—unsurprisingly—a film-like experience without the need for any actual visuals. Still, A Necessary Escape manages to paint magnificent landscapes for the listener, where only the imagination sets limits once you close your eyes.

One of the most stunning moments is the emotional swell of the track Echoes. Until that moment, the album has been subtly building up, with only a few brief interludes offering glimpses of what’s to come. But when Echoes finally erupts with breathtaking beauty, it feels as if previously unseen galaxies are revealing themselves to us.

One of the album’s strengths is also its small sense of playfulness amidst all the emotional weight and atmosphere. A good example is Artificial Infinity, where horns, flutes, and bass lines playfully compete with each other around a catchy drum groove.

A Necessary Escape is an album that, in the midst of all the shit in the world, can bring something truly beautiful and positive into it.

Release Date: May 9, 2025

M83 – A Necessary Escape (Dakar Chronicles Original Soundtrack)

Album of the Month by Cuberat