For a brief moment in the mid 90s, electronica was being touted as the next big sound. Both The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers scored big hits with their alternative rock take on the sound that resonated with US audiences. Soon to be eclipsed by Nu Metal and boy bands, it was into this environment that the French duo Air released Moon Safari in 1998. The album was a modern sounding retro take on the downtempo sound, mixing 60s lounge pop with 70s prog and funk.
Nicolaus Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel welcome the listener in with “La Femme D’Argent” and it’s warm bath of synthesized sounds. At seven minutes, it’s the longest song here that picks up gentle steam at the end that incorporates handclaps for a light beat. Two songs feature Beth Hirsch on vocals adding acoustic guitar onto the tracks folktronica sound while “Ce Matin La” is the sound of a sunrise, the come down after a night at the club complete with a trombone.
The album had two big singles. “Sexy Boy” includes a more typical pop structure but with French sung verses and an English chorus. The robust beat and squiggly synths made it dancefloor ready as it went top 20 in the UK. Reportedly about Jaclyn Smith’s character from Charlie’s Angels, “Kelly Watch The Stars” is like a celestial dream with a funk groove and easy listening piano lines, the hook being the repeated vocals of “Kelly watch the stars”. The track is a mesmerizing standout on one of the truly great albums of the 90s.
The extras on this 25th anniversary edition include an extra disc of rarities and remixes. Particular highlights include the three demos. “Dirty Hiroshima” pushes the beat to the forefront while “New Star” and “Ce Matin” include elements of their album versions but enough differences to make them unique songs. “Sexy Boy” and “Kelly Watch The Stars” appear from a BBC live performance with the latter getting the full rock treatment with electric guitars. Also included is the tour documentary by filmmaker Mike Mills – Eating Sleeping Waiting & Playing. The black and white film follows the band around on several tour stops showing the banal moments of touring – hotel rooms, backstage, awkward interviews, etc.
Moon Safari – 10/10
Extras – 8/10
The Light Appears 