M83

Originally a duo consisting of Anthony Gonzalez and Nicolas Fromageau, the French electronica act M83 first garnered international attention with its shoegazer-influenced 2003 album, DEAD CITIES, RED SEAS & LOST GHOSTS. With Fromageau's subsequent departure, M83 morphed into the solo vehicle for Gonzalez, who amped up the keyboards for '05's BEFORE THE DAWN HEALS US and took an ambient detour with '07's DIGITAL SHADES VOL. 1. Paying loving tribute to 1980s synth-pop on SATURDAYS = YOUTH, Gonzalez appealed to an even wider audience, resulting in an appearance on the Billboard charts and a high-profile tour with the Killers.

• rock
• pop