Air - Moon Safari
January of 1998 saw the release of this auspicious debut full-length LP from the French band, Air. Moon Safari was both critically acclaimed and commercially popular upon release. It helped popularize the 'downtempo' genre with its laid-back yet sophisticated feel. And though words like 'sophisticated', and 'chic' are often used to describe this LP, it's also super groovy and down-to-earth feeling. This LP feels familiar and new at the same time.
Moon Safari is a very international / Euro feeling album. There's kraut-rock influences (like the mellowest and suavest elements of Can, and the robotic-pop sensibilities of later Kraftwerk) and even European classical vibes in the mix. It's serious and playful at the same time. It's like club music for after the club. It's winding-down music, getting-ready-to-go-out music, slow-Sunday-morning music, Friday-night-cocktails-at-home music. Chill and groovy, but never sleepy. The album has an incredible warmth: both the impeccable recording and the warm feels from the nostalgia meets the future style (dig the nod to "96 Tears" on side two's "Remember"...with vocoder!).
Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel have continued to make fantastic and inventive music. They have 6 studio LPs, 2 soundtracks (including the incredible The Virgin Suicides from 2000), and various comps, collaborations and remixes. They are currently on tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Moon Safari, and are playing Austin on October 30, 2024. Enjoy their timeless, and yes, sophisticated grooves.
January of 1998 saw the release of this auspicious debut full-length LP from the French band, Air. Moon Safari was both critically acclaimed and commercially popular upon release. It helped popularize the 'downtempo' genre with its laid-back yet sophisticated feel. And though words like 'sophisticated', and 'chic' are often used to describe this LP, it's also super groovy and down-to-earth feeling. This LP feels familiar and new at the same time.
Moon Safari is a very international / Euro feeling album. There's kraut-rock influences (like the mellowest and suavest elements of Can, and the robotic-pop sensibilities of later Kraftwerk) and even European classical vibes in the mix. It's serious and playful at the same time. It's like club music for after the club. It's winding-down music, getting-ready-to-go-out music, slow-Sunday-morning music, Friday-night-cocktails-at-home music. Chill and groovy, but never sleepy. The album has an incredible warmth: both the impeccable recording and the warm feels from the nostalgia meets the future style (dig the nod to "96 Tears" on side two's "Remember"...with vocoder!).
Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel have continued to make fantastic and inventive music. They have 6 studio LPs, 2 soundtracks (including the incredible The Virgin Suicides from 2000), and various comps, collaborations and remixes. They are currently on tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Moon Safari, and are playing Austin on October 30, 2024. Enjoy their timeless, and yes, sophisticated grooves.
January of 1998 saw the release of this auspicious debut full-length LP from the French band, Air. Moon Safari was both critically acclaimed and commercially popular upon release. It helped popularize the 'downtempo' genre with its laid-back yet sophisticated feel. And though words like 'sophisticated', and 'chic' are often used to describe this LP, it's also super groovy and down-to-earth feeling. This LP feels familiar and new at the same time.
Moon Safari is a very international / Euro feeling album. There's kraut-rock influences (like the mellowest and suavest elements of Can, and the robotic-pop sensibilities of later Kraftwerk) and even European classical vibes in the mix. It's serious and playful at the same time. It's like club music for after the club. It's winding-down music, getting-ready-to-go-out music, slow-Sunday-morning music, Friday-night-cocktails-at-home music. Chill and groovy, but never sleepy. The album has an incredible warmth: both the impeccable recording and the warm feels from the nostalgia meets the future style (dig the nod to "96 Tears" on side two's "Remember"...with vocoder!).
Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel have continued to make fantastic and inventive music. They have 6 studio LPs, 2 soundtracks (including the incredible The Virgin Suicides from 2000), and various comps, collaborations and remixes. They are currently on tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Moon Safari, and are playing Austin on October 30, 2024. Enjoy their timeless, and yes, sophisticated grooves.