M83 is pleased to announce the forthcoming release of the long-anticipated DSVII. Arriving more than 12 years after the initial installment, Digital Shades Vol. 1, DSVII is out September 20 via Mute.
M83 mastermind Anthony Gonzalez released Digital Shades Vol. 1 in 2007 as a compendium of unused ambient tracks for diehard fans to enjoy rather than letting these works disappear into the void. It was a way to breathe life into songs that normally would not see the light of day as well as a vehicle for Gonzalez to explore areas of musical creativity separated from the pop-leaning M83 studio albums. Gonzalez credits Brian Eno’s ambient collections as a primary inspiration for the creation of the Digital Shades series.
Now, more than a decade later, M83 has returned with the latest installment of Digital Shades – one that adopts a grander nature and seeks to transport listeners to another time and place entirely. DSVII is influenced heavily by early video game soundtracks, ’80s sci-fi/fantasy films and analog synth pioneers such as the aforementioned Brian Eno in addition to Suzanne Ciani, Mort Garson and John Carpenter.
DSVII was created using analog equipment only. It was recorded during the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018 at Gonzalez’s Los Angeles studio as well as the Glendale, California studio of Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Nine Inch Nails, Beck).