M83 Debuts Lead Single From Upcoming Album ‘Junk’

Anthony Gonzalez, aka M83, is the L.A. by way of France musician you might best know from his electro-pop hit "Midnight City." That song appeared on his last album, 2011's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, and we've been waiting for a follow-up ever since. Let's be clear, it's not like he was sitting around wasting time on Super Smash Bros., he's just been busy doing things like scoring films for little titles you might know. Divergent, anyone? Well, luckily for us, it looks like his attention has turned back toward his fans. Not only has M83 announced new album Junk, to be released April 8 on Mute, he's graced us with the audio for its lead single, "Do It, Try It" as well. 

M83 told Entertainment Weekly in December that the new album was inspired by retro shows like Punky Brewster and Who's the Boss. While that was certainly a head-scratcher at the time, yup, we hear it now in "Do It, Try It." Debuted on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show, it is definitely a throwback in nature, almost sounding like an epic intro to an '80s Saturday morning kids show. Between the swarming, arpeggiated synths and the peppy lyrics in chorus belting out "We dance on repeat / A trance of a heartbeat," we're betting it's probably something Napoleon Dynamite would dig.

As for the rest of Junk, M83 says Beck and Susanne Sundfør are among the featured guests, but longtime keyboards-backup vocalist Morgan Kibby does not make an appearance. We heard the role was being filled by open auditions, so there's a small chance your aspiring musician friend could be a globally touring electro-pop artist this year.

Catch M83 on the road in support of Junk this year, with select dates at Coachella, Sasquatch!, Governors Ball, and Merriweather Post Pavilion.