Double concept album? Check. Single of the year (“Midnight City”)? Check. Car commercial in waiting (“New Map”)? Check. Tracks that slip comfortably onto any late 80s teen movie soundtrack (“Reunion”, “Claudia Lewis”, “OK Pal”)? Check, check, and check.

Those who are familiar with M83’s dreamy retro synth-pop will not be remotely shocked by any of the offerings of the excellent Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. However, where you might be surprised is how the past tunings of youthful hopelessness and messages of teen angst have somehow morphed into some semblance of matured reflection and—dare I say—adult positivity. Sure, it’s hard to buy that theory with song titles like “My Tears Are Becoming A Sea”, but there is a confidence and presence that Hurry Up purveys that previous efforts have lacked. The message no longer seems to be “OMG FML, when will it all get better???” but, “Life is here, life is now…go make something of yourself.”

Pulling off a double album without copious amounts of pretension is never easy and rarely accomplished, but M83 does so flawlessly here, escorting the listener effortlessly through all twenty-two tracks. Hurry up and grab this album (I promise it will make up for this last sentence).