French-born electronic soundscape wizard Anthony Gonzalez set out to create something "very, very, very epic" with this double album, and he succeeded. With 11 tracks on each disc, Gonzalez has created something akin to a catchy soundtrack for an imaginary film. It captures a nostalgia and melancholy for a childhood films like The Neverending Story or ET, while remaining firmly modern in it's aesthetic.
Cascading synths, orchestral washes, saxophones, acoustic guitars - they're all there, supporting a journey directed by the vocals that are both sung and spoken. Gonzalez uses his voice more than ever, and makes you wonder why he hasn't really let it rise to the forefront before, his gentle contemplations and observations contrasting with impassioned pleas on tracks like Wait and Midnight City.
Spoken lyrics from American singer Zola Jesus on opening track Intro feel like an excerpt from a child's fantasy story (like Where the Wild Things Are) and the appearance of 5-year-old Zelly (producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen's daughter) telling the tale of a magical frog on Raconte-Moi Une Histoire is a delightful highlight.
Stylistically these soundscapes are injected with various flavours - disco dance (New Map will pack club floors no doubt), 80s pop (OK Pal), Baroque procession (Splendour) and even 70s rock elements (Reunion). But occasionally the melodrama gets too much and the influence of previous decades overwhelms. A touch more space and focus could have been advantageous. It's still an epic ride though.
Stars: 4/5
Verdict: Fantasy filled, epic soundtrack of 80s childhood nostalgia
