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Fantasy
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Fantasy Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length studio release in seven years from French electronic band M83 was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. musicOMH.com
    Mar 14, 2023
    90
    As M83 Anthony Gonzalez makes you want to turn the volume up as loud as possible, filling the room with music and reaching for those other worlds and creatures. Fantasy, then, fuels our imagination – just at the time when musical escapism is sorely needed.
  2. Glide Magazine
    Mar 17, 2023
    80
    The band crafted their most personal and revealing album to date by allowing themselves to play with minimalism in a way that creates an atmosphere of honesty. Fantasy has M83 at their most fearless.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 20, 2023
    80
    Fantasy is a spellbinding return to form for the French producer. [May 2023, p.31]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Slant Magazine
    Mar 14, 2023
    70
    Gonzalez’s tendency for self-indulgence and penchant for repetition keep Fantasy from reaching the previously attained heights of albums like Saturdays=Youth. Yet, even as M83’s throwback sound has lost some of its novelty due, in part, to pop culture becoming saturated with (comparatively vapid) ’80s nostalgia, Gonzalez’s non-ironic sensibilities and bright-eyed ambition effortlessly outshine even his most reverent copycats.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 17, 2023
    70
    Some of the most spotlessly produced music I’ve heard in my lifetime, let alone this year. Gonzalez unfortunately continues to struggle with cohesion and distilling his musical ideas down to their most valuable elements, but his latest full-length is an undeniable improvement over his mid-late 2010’s output, and hopefully the beginning of a long upward trajectory for the M83 brand.
  6. Exclaim
    Mar 14, 2023
    70
    It's a confident and proper return, written squarely from Gonzalez's comfort zone with a few fun twists from its undersung predecessor; It's exactly what we needed from M83 right now, even if it's sometimes a little too extra.
  7. 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.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. EnemyOfState
    Apr 30, 2023
    10
    IMO, the best M83 album. Surprisingly. I love every single song. Sunny Boy, Deceiver, Amnesia, Kool Nuit are definitely highlights of theIMO, the best M83 album. Surprisingly. I love every single song. Sunny Boy, Deceiver, Amnesia, Kool Nuit are definitely highlights of the album. This is one of those rare albums for me which feels like it was around my whole life.… Expand
  2. BobertBobinski
    Mar 22, 2023
    10
    Beautiful! strongest album of M83's to date. Have had on repeat for days now. Stand out tracks so far are Us and The Rest, Amnesia, Deceiver,Beautiful! strongest album of M83's to date. Have had on repeat for days now. Stand out tracks so far are Us and The Rest, Amnesia, Deceiver, Laura and Dismemberment Bureau. Can't wait to see them at the London Roundhouse gig.… Expand
  4. Pako95
    Mar 22, 2023
    10
    The production is amazing and I really enjoy the rocky nature with very lush sounds: great melodies and great instrumental intro/instrumentalThe production is amazing and I really enjoy the rocky nature with very lush sounds: great melodies and great instrumental intro/instrumental bridges/instrumental breaks. Masterpiece.… Expand
  5. bwbw86
    Mar 20, 2023
    9
    The kind of album you want to put on repeat. Not really understanding the lackluster critic reviews. I think this is peak M83. Feels like aThe kind of album you want to put on repeat. Not really understanding the lackluster critic reviews. I think this is peak M83. Feels like a Hurry Up We're Dreaming part 2. Gorgeous arrangements. Songs that get stuck in your head for days!… Expand
  6. Ummagumma09
    Mar 22, 2023
    9
    It's true, this record is an ode to childhood imagination. Great wall of sound, excellent melodies and ingenious instrumental bridges.
  7. Lajaleaa
    May 2, 2023
    7
    This is an interesting place to explore, where when there is actually something to do.
    I admire the space and grandeur on this album, but the    This is an interesting place to explore, where when there is actually something to do.
    I admire the space and grandeur on this album, but the adventure kind of gets lost when, in a way, you are walking around in circles.    … Expand
  8. 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 onlyIt 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

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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