Reviews (page 10 of 15)
Peaceful and vibey and cool. A nice find.
This was a good discovery for me. I preferred the instrumental pieces more than vocal pieces, but it was overall really pleasing. Never expected to like it from the description.
Is this cool or just inoffensive?
This sort of music just glides completely off my brain. I enjoy it fine enough when listening to it, but I never remember any of it afterwards. I’ve been thinking about Since I Left You by The Avalanches, because I said multiple times during my review of that album that I appreciated it a lot, and gave it four stars. But I don’t remember any of it, and that’s exactly how I’m feeling about Moon Safari even as I listen to it. This is all pretty good, the bass work is especially fantastic, but I forget what each song sounded like as soon as the next one comes on. It’s like The Silence from Doctor Who. I also came to a realisation when listening to New Star In The Sky. I’ve said before that I’m not a naturally relaxed person, but this album reminded me that I’m also a real paranoid bastard when I do start to relax, because I’m sure something’s gonna go wrong at some point. So, all in all, I enjoyed it while listening. It’s a good album, I’m just not going to remember any of it tomorrow
I pretty much vibed with the whole thing. Was surprised I even knew a few of the songs already when the band Air had no name recognition from me. Will probably return to this again in the future. 4/5
Fine as "mood music" or something, but not remarkable in any way.
Sexy Boy Personal Favourite: La Femme d’Argent
Best downbeat electronic music :)
Sexy Boy is the only song I’d heard on this album. I like Sexy Boy. It’s fun and vibing and smooth. But I feel like there were two major late-90s “BLANK Boy” songs and you were into one or you were into the other. I chose Nancy Boy by Placebo a long time ago and nothing on this album made me reconsider that choice. Maybe I’d enjoy it if it were the soundtrack to a movie or video game? Y’know. Some other medium that could give me a reason to emotionally engage. As is, it’s trying so hard to be cool that it’s completely tedious. I can appreciate the skill behind it, but I was relieved when it was over.
I didn't like this. It was slow, boring, felt like background music. I'm giving it a 2 because Sexy Boy is not bad and I know this is technically not a bad album (probably a good album) I just don't like it.
Did not enjoy. Too much synth, too repetitive, “frog music” vibes. Felt like I needed a lot of drugs to enjoy it.
french people and silly synths. a combination that has never done me dirty
Nice.
Ok
I would own an outdoor lounge at a luxury resort just so I could play this album on a loop.
This was nice to have in the background ! Sexy boy is 5*s easy
I have been looking for this sound since falling in love with Dusty Trails’s only album - I am so so happy right now. Can’t wait to stare at the ceiling to this one.
i actually really mess with this
Pre-listening thoughts: this is my birthday album! While I was secretly hoping for a band or album I already knew/listened to, I guess it’s cool to experience something new WHATEVER. I do think it’s funny that on the album cover next to their band name, it says “French band” as if you need a disclaimer. Did they think we were tuning in because it was just gonna be air noises?? 😭 or did they have to warn people they were French cause honestly valid Post/during listening thoughts: hmmm this is electronica and psychedelic music. The world knows exactly what genres I’m not fond of and gives them to me on my brightest days. Well! It’s not bad though. I just enjoy lyrics and vocals to be prominent features of music (and this is why Beth Hirsch ate) 5.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: All I Need, Kelly Watch the Stars Least fav tracks: Talisman
Really strong ambient electronic breeze. It's 25 years old but could be made today. The end of the album flames out a bit compared to the first half.
Fine and vibesy and credibly kitschy-retro, but space age nostalgia only goes so far (even if you're French). So this gets sorta dull in the end. The nice/interesting, groovy or relaxing bits (e.g., "Ce'matin la") are rather quickly canceled out by tedious ones (e.g., most of the vocals, "New Star in the Sky"). Its innovations were oversold at the time and the passing decades haven't much improved it.
This has to be one of the most perfectly named bands. Their music always feels like it’s just floated in from the ether.
Another perfect rainy day album. Front to back, just a whole vibe.
At its best, it's one of the greatest electronic albums I've heard. However, it's sound isn't consistent enough to sustain that greatness for its entire run-time
Hearing these songs bought back memories of a student radio station ("The Spark") in 1998.
Fantastic vibe and great album
Meh.
I could tell in the first 30 seconds of track 1 that I was going to love this album. I listen to this kind of electronic music while I work, so I'm always listening to bands like RJD2, Abakus, Aphex Twin, and Little People. I can't believe I've never heard this band. Love it and will be on rotation often.
The whole album felt like a compilation of interludes used across various films from various genres. A highlight being ‘La femme d’argent’ for making me feel like a detective in a 1970’s ‘Shaft’ knockoff film. Across other songs, artists like Beck and Tame Impala come to mind who have similar styles especially in some of the earlier songs of the album. The constantly shifting vibe crossed into smooth jazz and Bossa Nova all the way to techno, psychic rock, all of which being unexpected but very much welcome to create an overall pleasant listen with each song as original and interesting as the last.
"Moon Safari" is such a timeless album. It really pulls on the strings of nostalgia for me. I remember discovering it at a record store on a new release listening station. Back then, I listened to a lot of aggressive gabber, DNB, hard house, and the list goes on, but this album hit me differently. It was so soothing, lush, smooth, dreamy, yet euphoric and uplifting. It spoke to my soul. Even today, when I listen to the opening track “La Femme d’Argent,” I still feel that sense of calmness, euphoria, and now, years later, a hit of nostalgia. It takes me back to a time when life seemed simple and carefree. Another element I’ve always appreciated about this album is the way they use synthesizers. They make it clear that they are using analog synthesizers, creating a warm, organic sound that can't be ignored. If you’re a fan of chill and downtempo music, this is a must-hear album. It’s amazing how this album is 25 years old now, but it still feels fresh. This album will never get old.
So THESE are the guys to blame for 'low-tempo'?!?! Where's the time machine so I can go back and make sure lofi beats never existed😭 I had hope for about 10 seconds at the start of this when a fun bass kicked in and I thought it would be an intro and turn into rock... how wrong I was. Nothing clawed back anywhere near those first, innocent seconds. Funky at times, just not my thing.
huge no. bored
Pretty shit But some instrumental parts were ok
3 flat
Super easy to listen to. I liked it, but not a ton.
The French Pop duo AIR kickstarted their career with an album that neatly combines elements of Ambient Pop with spacey soundscapes and a relaxed and atmospheric feeling that fills every spot of the album. While it isn't anything boundary pushing or crazy experimental for its time, it's a nice combination of what other and older albums (like Mother Earth's Plantasia) tried to do. The album starts with its longest and pretty much best song 'La femme d'argent' which comes around with over 7 minutes of Space Age Pop, Downtempo and Neo-Psychedelia combined together with a little bit of Lounge and Nu Jazz similarities sprinkled throughout. It starts off with some rain sounds that stay for a while but get overshadowed by the bongo-like drums and that different other instruments including spacey Moog synths and an organ which create a hypnotic listen full of magical moments that keep it interesting the whole way through. It's a lovely song but not incredible enough to make feel stunned with what they did. It's not perfect by any means but definitely a great track that makes you really feel like you're on a Moon Safari even if I wished they pushed themselves and the sound further. 'Sexy Boy' plays with a much more electronic sound throughout. It feels very much like an early Daft Punk song with some slightly distorted vocals added on top. It's definitely not a bad song but they fail to use the repetition to their advantege. The detail work is done well with some nice moments throughout especially with the vocals but the structure is just a little stale and boring. The song's overall pretty good but not anything crazy at all. The first of two songs to feature additional vocals from Beth Hirsch who is technically a skilled vocalist but I am really not a fan of her style and how she uses her voice. It feels overdone and odd. The song itself is sadly very much based around these vocals and therefore can't really do much on its own although the final minute has some okay qualities. But as a whole, the song is okay with the vocals ruining a lot of it. It simply feels too average to be properly enjoyed. The slight Synth Funk additions on 'Kelly Watch the Stars' sadly don't work with the Ambient sound that it features in the background. The vocals are again not really good and fit just okay. The song overall just doesn't fit together in itself and simply doesn't work with anything that it tries. The technical and sometimes detailed additions around it do enhance it overall but not enough to still be a below average track. Luckily, 'Talisman' does its thing much better. There is a clear ambition of having some relaxed soundscapes but some tension added and the result works. It feels a lot like something you'd maybe hear in a spy movie with all the atmosphere that is dark and with enough tension to fuel it all while still having a Downtempo and relaxed song by itself. It's done really well and might be one of the better tracks the album has to offer even if it does feel a little repetetive towards the end. Even with the short length that 'Remember' has, it offers some nice blends of the strong electronic sound with some Soul elements in the vocals which are again distorted and some trippy soundscapes around it. It's a pretty nice song and it does have a place on the album even if I think that some of the vocal parts are a little annoying. The other song with Beth Hirsch, 'You Make It Easy', actually features some more obvious Jazz elements with a very Bossa Nova style combined with Trip Hop, Soul and Ambient elements. It's much better than the first song with her and actually a pretty nice song overall. Some of the synth and moog elements are a little annoying and the mixing isn't the best on the album (way to many drums on the left side at one point) but the songwriting is pretty good and the song overall is an alright track with some nice moments. 'Ce matin-là' is without a doubt the most relaxed song here. It's another entirely instrumental but this time it's much less spacey and full of hypnotic soundscapes. No, this is just some really nice and Jazzy Lounge music that's simply very light on the ears with few moments that really go out of it's way. It does feel a lot like an interlude of some sorts but bad at all. It's a pretty good song that's fairly enjoyable for what it is. Another relaxed one is 'New Star in the Sky (Chanson pour Solal)' which does have some more vocals (again, not the most interesting or good) and some nice synth additions but it does feel very boring and bland even with the few Field Recording additions of kids playing in the background. It's got only very few moments that are actually interesting and do that what it obviously tries. Most of it is either boring or annoying which makes the song as a whole end up pretty much as a very boring attempt and nothing more. The album finishes with 'Le voyage de Pénélope' which isn't too much of an upgrade compared to the previous song. It does close of the album and pretty much completes the album sonically with some more Nu-Jazz and Neo-Psychedelia on the established Downtempo electronica and it does have obvious attempts of closing the album like a real finale but for me it returns as a pretty good instead of really grand song but it's a nice ending with some really nice moments throughout. It is one of the better songs on the album. favourites: La femme d'argent, Le voyage de Pénélope, least favourites: New Star in the Sky (Chanson pour Solal), All I Need, Kelly Watch the Stars Rating: decent 6 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes
Sexy boy is one hell of a tune. So many memories come back from late teens early 20s when listening to it. The album is easy listening and great in the background. Favourite song: sexy boy Least favourite: There is nothing bad on this at all. Album artwork: cracking cover
Elektronisch
Good album! It has some weird 90s EuroRap but otherwise I like it! 3.75/5
A very strong album from the French electronic revolution.
After so many angry and down albums listened to recently, this one was refreshing. No social commentary, angry rap or post-punk, just relaxing and soothing. Not that this was muzak. There is a lot going on and this is an album I would certainly like to revisit one day...
Just alright
Sappy-yet-catchy, pure essence of wafty 2000s french synth pop wussiness. Quite decent for all that.
11/10 Eines der besten Album in diesem Genre….
3/5
Loved seven nation army, also got to read about the history of the White stripes. Very interesting take, I did not realize this is what people meant when they listened to aleternative. Little acorns kinda spoke to me. Hilarious yet very clear on the message. It’s true we love another was also hilarious. I also like in the cold cold night instrumental. Very much vibe with the minimalist instrumentals and vocals. Not my vibe
Wasn't sure what to think going into this, but I enjoyed it. Some songs, especially La femme d'argent, feel like precursors to lofi music of which I am a big fan of. Good variety for an electric album, lotta chill and psychedelic vibes. My prior experience was mostly EDM and Daft Punk, so this was a nice change of pace. Favs: Kelly Watch the Stars, La femme d'argent
They got me with Sexy Body (it was in 10 Things I Hate About You). The artist name and album fit, they was something very celestial and aethereal about the music overall.
I recognize some of these songs, kind of a blast from the past. The album is really beautiful and complex … deep and rich. It’s also super chill and dreamy. Feels like something you could really get lost in. Kinda loved it.
Ok
Very chill, great vibes Favorites: "Sexy Boy", "Talisman", "Ce matin-là", "Le voyage de Pénélope"
Bra instrumental
When I first saw French electronica I assumed another 1 star rating was on the way. This wasn’t the worst thing I’ve heard. Probably would never dial it up again though. 2.65
Surprisingly not bad?? I didn’t think I would like it, but it’s like funky daft punk??? Sort of a trip to listen to.
I knew this well already! Gorgeous and atmospheric throughout. Transportive.
Great
It's a pleasant listen for sure, but to me its sensual aesthetic felt too detached. There was some emotional sincerity in there, but at times the emotion felt undermined by kitsch. I can easily see why people would love an album like this but it's just not for me, I need more substance. I couldn't see anything that the album was trying to say, but maybe they weren't saying anything at all. I wanted to give up and not even finish it.
Decent but not as exciting as the other Air album I had a few weeks ago (Virgin Suicides). Good background music but nothing really special except Sexy Boy. A bit long winded and repetitive. 3
At first I kind of liked it but then it became a snoozefest.
Liked some of the songs that were more daft punk-esque (l’femme de argent, Kelly watch the stars) did not like the songs with vocals. 2.3
2.5 Couple good tunes, kinda fell off at the end. Bud Light Daft punk
Good vibes. 3/5
Very cool French techno. Solid, chill listen
The instrumentals on this album are really fun. I actually wasn't as big of a fan of the tracks with vocals.
This is an odd one - it's perfectly nice, with some very nice noises, but it's also not very engaging. I feel calling it background music is really harsh, but if I was the kind of person to host dinner parties I think this would probably be the first album I'd reach for to play during dinner.
Done
Like a more boring Daft Punk. If you were in the mood for super-chill, this does offer some great textures and bass lines. It’s certainly a vibe. To me, a perfect 3.
112 albums in and finally a 5 star.
LFG
I’m glad I got at least one more album that rocks equally hard when high or sober. Super catchy French electronica and first two songs plus last one were my favs.
I feel like I'm throwing out the 5* ratings too easily, but if this will keep throwing albums at me which I played to death, then that's going to keep happening. I never realised the opener was 7 minutes long, because you just don't want it to end.
Pretty dull to me, I feel like if there's no lyrics the music needs more variety to grab my attention
bleeeeeds together but i do like it 3/5
Great stuff. It's chill electronica that's perfect to work to or relax to, sort of an early precursor to the lo-fi beats study music that YouTube would eventually popularize. I wasn't aware of this group but I'll be returning to this album in the future. Also I find it kind of funny that on the album cover, next to the band and album name, it just says "French Band." I also listened to the very faithful whole-album Moon Safari cover by Dave Depper from 2021 and enjoyed that as well.
I really like the chill vibe of this album, I have this CD still somewhere.
it was alright. chill. would prefer it slow way down and be ambient. good sounds, though. 3 stars
The marriage of electronic and acoustic throughout this album makes it an addictive tracklist. While overall everything is pretty down-tempo, low-fi, and chill - it certainly doesn’t mean it isn’t engaging. In fact you would be rewarded for giving ‘Moon Safari’ a few listens because there is so much going on, yet no one element is overpowering the other. The opening track ‘La femme d’argent’ does an excellent job in setting the mood. It’s atmosphere, jazz, and acoustic elements all combining to take you on an eclectic journey of moods and melodies. Almost like it’s a 7 minute preview of what is to come. The tracks featuring vocals by Beth Hirsch are absolute standouts. Her voice matches exactly what the French duo are trying to execute here. By far their most melodic and acoustic works on the album. Yet still containing the depth and complexity of the production. The haunting’ Talisman’, the ethereal ‘Kelly Watch The Stars, the jazzy ‘Ce matin-là’, the spacey ‘New Star In The Sky’. There is just so much packed into its 10 tracks that I’m absolutely amazed ‘Moon Safari’ doesn’t feel overstuffed or overindulgent. ‘Moon Safari’, if possible, would probably be best listened to on an actual sound system. It really is a 45 minute experience that will most certainly paint a world inside your head as it goes on; and how vibrant that world is will depend on how powerful the sound you’re working with is. This album is one of the “gold standard” examples of an entire genre; in this case electronica. Even if it’s not quite your cup of tea, it should be listened to by anyone who enjoys similar works.
Q raved about this, but Sexy Boy was such a perverse choice for lead off single that I only got round to it the year later, Kelly Watch the Stars and All I need were released as singles. An aside. The Olympics closing ceremony was sharp reminder that the Brits have always done pop better than their Gallic cousins. If Air had done their mash up with Daft Punk rather than Phoenix, I may have been moved to rethink this position, though...
Ahh, I forgot how good this actually is. It is tainted by memories from the past which I shall not disclose . I suspect there is bias here because I’m highly rating many fave albums from my younger years. That’s how it goes. It’s a. 5 from me
Как ни странно, мне прям понравилось
What a fabulous album—mellow and beautiful.
Good stuff. I enjoyed this.
Really good. I’d definitely listen to this again
I've been listening to this album off-and-on for years. The "Sexy Boy" smash single and the opening track are very memorable, but I couldn't recall if the rest of the album falls off. I'm pleasantly surprised, because the whole thing is quality. The sound is a smooth downtempo blend of trip-hop, classic pop, disco, jazz, lounge, etc. Sounds pretty schmaltzy on paper, but it is done so well, with great attention to detail. Good pacing across the album too. Très bien! 5*
Interesting ambient (?) music - not even really sure what you'd call this genre. Of course I knew 'Sexy Boy' from 10 Things I Hate About You but the rest was new to me. Not an unpleasant listen!
2 days in succession with bands I have never heard of who turn out to pretty interresting and enjoyable. I also looked up the singer on 2 of the tracks on this album and she too (Beth Hirsch) turn out to be pretty interresting and enjoyable. So 3 new artists/bands to listen to in 2 days is pretty good.
I could easily see these songs soundtracking Adult Swim bumps. Nothing revolutionary, but soothing.
could i write poetry to this? n
3.5 I love their sound, but knock it down to a 3 for being repetitive electronic music.
Instant heist mood
Ok so right off the bat, “Moon Safari” is an excellent name for an album and I love. “Air” isn’t a great name for a band or group, but I’ll allow it. This was cool. I’ve come to realize through this project that I do actually like electronic instrumental music. It’s all about the vibes and when it hits right, it’s amazing. There were a couple tracks I’d consider duds, but not many. A few really stood out. And that one last one kind of sounded like the melody from “Ain’t No Sunshine,” so that was weird. Maybe they were going for that? I dunno. This was cool. Four stars. Standout Tracks: La femme d’argent, Kelly Watch the Stars, Talisman
Always had a soft spot for Air, and this is one of their best. It's laid back style helps you drift off on a journey. The vocals of Beth Hirsch proves an excellent match to their music. 4/5
The instrumental tracks for this album are really good but the rest is not for me. I don't like the robot voices that much and the lyrics were whatever. Sexy Boy was a song I really didn't like and felt like a dropoff from the strong opener. It was a good album to listen to and worth being on this list, but I wouldn't revisit it.
Atmospheric cool Drips as chill background music But fades too easy
Intresant I början men blev långtråkigt efter ett tag
French chillout genius.
I very like this album
interesting beats and trance like grooves that just made the world melt around the listener. Crazy good album and can see why they're so influential.
Super groovy!
See? I can like electronica! I just like it trippy and downtempo. I’ve always loved La femme d’argent, and I really dug the tracks that sounded like it here. The rest was pretty whatever.
Not really a fan of this one. 2/5
Interesting electronic music with some great moments. Use of auto tune not impressive.
How can music without lyrics sound so pretentious?
Very cool!
I love this album so much. I've known it beforhand and it never disappoints. Air live is still doing shows and they are as good as you would expect.
It was okay, not bad but not special.
I know of this french band. Only know sexy boy but nothing else. Interested to hear it.
In my early sinful 20s Air became a soundtrack for late nights and experimentation. It was fitting that Talisman was featured on 1999s GO! Soundtrack, a movie about one night, drugs, raves, Katie Holmes, cops, and mayhem. It still remains my favorite track off this album. This is a great debut album for the Frenchmen. The problem I have had with Air is the moody ambience requires a specific mindset to appreciate, otherwise it’s prone to become background music.
Key tracks are the opener, "Sexy Boy", and "Talisman". I wish I had discovered Air sooner. These Frenchies are cool as hell. I was into the other Frenchies, Daft Punk, but this is a way more chill and sexy version of electronic music. I need to breathe more Air.
What do you get when you put 2 French dudes together, one an architect, one a mathematician, with access to a lot of studio gear and 70's synthesizers? This album was extremely influential on myself and a huge range of creatives, no matter the kind of artist. It caused creatives of all kinds to think differently about their craft and I suspect it has something to do with Air's approach to making compositions. In Air's Nicolas Godin's words: "What is important in architecture are not the walls and forms, but the space between two walls: that is what creates the architecture, the emptiness between the walls. It’s the same thing between two notes. A note on its own is nothing. Two notes together make a chord. That creates a space, a color. It’s the same principle as in architecture; it’s the emptiness between things that defines the thing in question. We often tend to see architecture as a structure, but what is beautiful is the emptiness between things. Architecture cuts up empty space and time, just like music." This album, like this quote, left impressions upon me at a pivotal point in my learning that forever changed my thinking on creating. Also all the songs & hooks land hard. You can tell they don't care the genre necessarily, they just want the track to strike a vibe. This leads the album to sound so cinematic, taking you on a journey with unexpected twists and turns. From the bouncy, hunky dory horn hook of "Ce matin-lá" to the bumping synth banger that is "Sexy Boy", these tracks all sound like they could be different bands, by on-paper descriptions. Nonetheless, the sounds all feel like the same 2 dudes, pushing air around in the space between my walls, causing me to think about what I'm working on just a little bit differently.
This album is the best thing I got from a an otherwise awful ex. But that was years and years ago. I still listen to the album occasionally, but definitely not as much, and listening to it now it all kinda blends in together in a not unpleasant but definitely monotonous kind of way. If I were listening to it for the first time I think I’d give it a 3. I’m tempted by a 4 for the sake of nostalgia, but realistically it’s a 3.
Fun 👍
peaceful.
adoro, super chill come della melassa che ti scivola addosso (elettronica)
I have this album and I always come back to it. I'll give it 5* because it's perfect (for me) in what it does. Very atmospheric, creative, and it just sounds great. Acoustic and electronic instruments well mixed.
This sound is pretty common now, but back when it was released, I remember how different this sounded from what was popular at the time. Recall that 1998 was the same year that Gettin Jiggy Wit It and Tubthumping were two of the top songs. This was a fresh breeze, in comparison.
Kinda needed this today. The mainly instrumental offering was well played, and was not challenging to listen to. I definitely did not need any challenges
What a debut album for a band. I don't think I had ever heard anything from it until 10 years after it came out. Boy what I was missing. Love the sound you get from all the different Moog's, synthesizers, and keyboards they used to make this album. I think it would be impossible to find a time when I would not want to listen to this album at this point. Fave track: Kelly Watch The Stars Least fave track: You Make It Easy. It's still good, but just not as good as the rest.
Not bad, but totally anonymous and forgettable. Maybe it stood out more in it's time, but now sounds like countless other chill vibes type stuff to my untrained ear.
i distinctly remember when this album came out; someone uploaded a track or two from it to my hotline mp3 server, and it was a revelation. i eventually tracked it down & bought the whole thing, and i'm glad i did. that opening bassline on track 1 just sets the tone for the whole album: downtempo groove, laid back - carefree but not careless. delicious.
Boring. Almost a 1
Great background music
The sound of the late 90’s. Franco-electro rock/pop. Got heavy rotation on my “romantic” playlist. Great memories. Full marks.
I like this album. Chill but innovative and a sense of humour too.
Classic and classy
One of the best chill out albums ever. 9/10
Really enjoyed this! A lot better than the previous Air album I got. 4/5
Got pumpkin David Bowie with a splash of Pink Floyd
Interesting
Some funky beats and sweet jams. This shit rocks
I quite enjoyed it. It is interesting. Like the love child of Daft Punk and Massive Attack.
Trippy, catchy and cool. I expected the songs to turn negative and whiny but they did not. A perfect album to have on while working at a computer. I love it when this project turns up music/artists I never would have heard otherwise!
++: La Femme d'argent, All I Need, Kelly Watch the Stars, Remember, Le Voyage de Pénélope +: Sexy Boy, Talisman, You Make It Easy, Ce matin-là, New Star in the Sky 9,1/10
Had high hopes for this album , but the third song you wondered wth was going on.
The first track off this album is pure bliss. Floating through the ether and magical for 7 minutes, then shit gets weird. The synth vocal sound and shrill tones are over used to the point of being campy and the added textures of sounds becomes noise. Not bad, but not going into my rotation.
Don't think I have ever listened to this album front to back. A little bit at a time is perfect. IE, about 2-3 tracks.
I knew more off this album than I thought I did. Really great all the way through, reminds me of DJ Shadow in places. Stand out tracks: - Sexy boy - All I need - Kelly watch the stars - Talisman - Ce martin-la
Not bad, I liked most of the music. On the border for 4 stars, but not quite there for me.
The low-fi vibes are pretty incredible on this album. I normally really don't like Electronica albums, but this one hits different. A big thing for me usually is the repetitions of the electronics, but here I feel like those repetitions are used more as a backdrop for the more interesting bits. Honestly, just vibey and fun to listen to. Favorite Song(s): La femme d'argent
First listen Saved 4/10 Top track: La femme d'argent
One of those albums that I've apparently listened to 100s of times because it was on rotation at a previous job. So yeah, this is hotel reception music.
im not normally a fan of electronic music but i really like the minimalistic/jazzy vibes this album had! i also really like some of the chord progressions they had in certain of their pieces.
Very chill stuff with a nice variety of sounds and textures.
Me siento como cuando ves una peli que te mamaba de chiquito. Obvio me sigue gustando pero ya no pega igual, lo siento muy predecible y cursi en el mal sentido. Igual está súper cute y me puso de buen humor, pero hasta ahí.
this isnt something id normally listen to so it really surprised me how much i liked it
I guess this was ok. I didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. I guess it was better than I was expecting, but then, I don’t know what I was expecting. I might listen to it again, I might not. All that ambivalence is just how it felt, I guess.
Nice, but I might need to listen more to really appreciate it.
Beautiful atmospheric late nineties French well electronica. Has aged so much better than contemporaries like Fat Boy Slim. Anticipates the sound Theivery Corporation made their brand. Tres bon!
Great to listen to while working or reading.
Pretty fun listen. Sexy Boy is in a movie that I can't remember.
It’s ok, enjoyed it. It’s more like background music, or a good nap soundtrack. It’s not something I’d choose to sit and listen to and enjoy.
Not something I would put on my own playlist, but it's good. Sounds very French. And it is. It was over before it started to annoy me. Favorite song: ce matin-la
amazing
Talk about being shocked by an album. I didn't have any clue what I was getting into and I grooved for over 40 minutes. Pleasantly surprised by this one
Another oddball album. I suppose I would call this synthpop if I had to label it. Not a bad album by any means, but nothing really stands out about it. Kind of devolves into background noise.
Thoughts before listening: Another massive album that I've read about my entire adult life but always assumed wasn't for me. Airy, light ambient soft rock meets electronic music is what I've always thought this would sound like. Review: It's hard for me to rate something like this that is just so much outside of my personal music tastes. I just don't tend to listen to this type of spacey, slow groove based music although I certainly understand that it's objectively good. It's nice when someone like Beck or the Beastie Boys includes this style track in the middle of one of their albums, but I get bored quickly with a full record of that sound. That being said, I added "Sexy Boy" to my playlist and will give this album 3-stars.
I can't put my finger on what doesn't work on this album.
Pretty solid really liked some tunes, some not as much. Loved Beth Hirsch she slayed
Super cool album, though I am with gideon about the songs with vocals being more exciting.
One of those albums I know back to front. Opens with a fantastic bassline ( and on a real bass not a synth) and a 7 minute journey through some Moog glory. I'm a synth geek and a bass player so this is just like heaven to me. It's an electronic album that still feels mostly organic. Good use of some guest singers to offset some of the vocoder heavy tracks. Lovely melodies and complex arrangements. Not a bad track on this. Amazing debut.
I was slightly weirded out when this album came up, because I had just been talking about the song "Sexy Boy" a few days earlier (after having no idea who sang it and looking it up). I wasn't sure what to expect based on knowing that one song, but I actually liked this album more than I thought I would. It has elements of electronica, but it's not as repetitive or obnoxious as a lot of electronica. It also has elements of chill lo-fi that I don't mind. It reminds me of Massive Attack but with a bit more pop sensibility to it, a dash of Daft Punk electronica, and some Cardigans sexiness. "Sexy Boy" and the two Beth Hirsch songs, "All I Need" and "You Make It Easy" are the highlights on this album. On "All I Need" she has kind of a Mariah Carey vibe that I liked a lot. On the latter song, her vocals mesh with the mellow music to create a Sade-like vibe. I was trying to figure out why "Ce Matin La" sounded so familiar and finally realized it was on the soundtrack to The Virgin Suicides (apparently Air scored the entire movie as well). It's a beautiful song. I'm not sure if the album is really revolutionary enough to be included on this list, but it's certainly a standout among contemporary artists of the genre. I'll be generous and give it a 4/5, though it's probably more of a 3.5
4.6 - Stunning Album, so cool and smooth.
Royalty free new age chillout estranged sibling of Daft Punk. Though I found it a bit boring it did grow on me through the back half. Fave Tracks: Sexy Boy, Remember, Ce matin-la 3.4/5
Terrible. DNF. 1 star
liked it more than I expected
Nice enough to have on in the background. I didn’t even notice that I started or finished the album.
Lovely album and great driving music by Air. Nostalgic too for me, I can still remember the brilliant video clip with table tennis. Makes me revisit the summer of 1998 again.
Bought this on CD 25 years ago and have listened regularly since. It is a classic
On the 4th, I was expecting to be handed Springsteen, or something similar. Instead, I got a French electronic group with their SECOND album on the list. On top of that, I somehow knew a song pretty well. Most shocking is, this was totally deserved. Great album overall.
4.5
nice electronic lounge music
If there is such a thing as "cup of tea", this was not mine... Having listened to the Jean Michelle's of the '80s, I could have been spared the Air of the '90s Having said all that, it is worth 2 stars as it isn't total crap.
Not my jam
This was arguably the worst album Ive had to endure. Wish I could give it negative stars.
not my bag tbh
Really chill album and I can't say I did not enjoy it. I also can't say I would revisit it again or there is anything in here that I would find compelling enough to include in this book. Air feels like the forbearer to music from bands like Daft Punk and even some of the tropical house music that has been released. So perhaps that merits inclusion. If given the choice, I do prefer this more low-key electronic music and All I Need, Kelly Watch the Stars, You Make it Easy and Le Femme D'argent are all really good songs. If a person is in to electronic music then this album would be worth a listen, though I'm not sure I would recommend it to the average music fan. The music does grow on you a bit after a while, but I would most likely not seek this album out.
Every song seemed to have a completely alternative feel from the previous, yet it works conceptually and can be easily listened to within the album format. Good album. Interesting style
Interesting, but only as time/place music.
Utterly brilliant, laidback groove. Couple this with their EP Premier Symptomes and you’ve got one of my favourite fictional double albums .
Good album.
5/5 The luscious, endlessly appealing opener sets the bar ridiculously high, but it is immediately followed by a diverse range of beautifully produced tracks. The creepy, otherworldly Sexy Boy, the delicate All I Need, the simple yet fun Kelly Watch the Stars, the larger than life Talisman, the dark and twisting Remember, the full of longing You Make It Easy, the romantic Ce Matin-La, the calming, fantastical New Star in the Sky, and finally the groovy Le voyage de Penelope. All in all this album is just fantastic because of its grand impressive production, shown in a wide variety of ways across the 44 ish minutes. La femme d'argent 5/5 (FAV) Sexy Boy 5/5 All I Need 5/5 Kelly Watch the Stars 4.5/5 Talisman 5/5 Remember 4.5/5 You Make It Easy 4/5 (LEAST FAV) Ce Matin-La 5/5 New Star in the Sky 5/5 La voyage de Penelope 4.5/5
Really cool atmosphere. Sounded like video game music. Good, video game music. I want a game called Moon Safari and this is the OST 3.5/5
Never heard of Air. Nothing earth-shattering, quite the opposite. But very chill. I'll be listening to this more.
Ethereal electronic ocean. Perfect for Saturday afternoons, laying on the couch with your head hanging over the edge.
Duas músicas legais, o resto cai na mesmice.
Alto viaje
Awesome trip full of flavors.
meh
1. la femme d’argent: 6/10 2. sexy boy: 5/10 3. all i need (feat. beth hirsch): 3.5/10 4. kelly watch the stars: 6/10 5. talisman: 6/10 6. remember: 7/10 7. you make it easy: 7/10 8. ce martin-là: 7.5/10 9. new star in the sky: 6.5/10 10. la voyage de pénépole: 5.5/10 overall rating: 6/10
I listened to this twice a couple weeks apart - because after the first listen, it felt like an album that I would enjoy more on second listen. Yet, even after a second listen, I still come away from it feeling like it was fun but forgettable. Might revisit it at some point but for now, it feels kinda meh to me.
Great downtime album.
I thought Air was a band from the 60s or 70s. I had no idea this album came out in 1998. If you go into this album thinking it came out in the 60s or 70s it will blow your mind because you will think this is one of the most ahead-of-its-time bands! But then you find out the album is from 1998 and you think woah they made it sound like this was an album from the 60s or 70s that sounded like it was from the future but it really was from the future and trying to sound like it was from the past but with a future vibe... Mind blown 🤯
8/10, gostei desse álbum do Air.
How did I not hear this album before now!?
I'd like to do a new thing where I take comments from negative reviews and agree with them but it's because I guess the person and I don't feel the same way about all things. Yes this absolutely sounds like a coma patient waking up, I love it so much. Imagine feeling that kind of peace and falling in love with the world at first sight.
I loved this and will look at more of their stuff.
It's okay. Not my thing
I liked all the songs, but it didn't feel like a cohesive album to me.
Absolute vibes!!!
This was perfect WFH music! I typically hate stuff without lyrics but actually really enjoyed this and wil likely return to it.
Pleasant but not drawing me in at all.
A very chill, romantic mood electronic album. I like this?
I’m not generally a fan of electronic music but this is good.
Well, I wasn't familiar with this album at all, though maybe aware of the single Sexy Boy. This is nice enough but a little bland - I prefer things a bit more abrasive.
Don't really care for this. Some of it was ok but I wouldn't want to listen to it again.
The first time I listened to this was on another of these long greatest album lists. I remember being shocked at how good it was. That feeling still remains.
Incredibly relaxed electronic album with a strong blues influence. Definitely a worthwhile listen and one I’ll return to.
SEXY BOYYYYYYY SEXY BOY
Still the best come down album ever. Not for when you get back from the club, oh no, that’s for different music, but when you've stopped drinking, the sun’s coming up, your heads still buzzing and you finally climb between the sheets, put this on. It will hug you, sooth you and send you on your way. 5* every time.
Ah, the finest middle class sexy time /dinner party album ever (you’ll be lying if you said you’ve not accompanied both with this playing)! Is it original, in a way not, as it’s a re-imagining of the 70s Serge Gainsbourg type sound (I always have this and Histoire de Melody Nelson) linked in my brain). But it’s amazingly original in the sound they bring, and how effin smooth and sexy it is. La Femme D’Argent is just a killer track, so in a way the whole album goes downhill from there but not in a bad way! Could, and have, listened to this and other Air works tonnes of times.
This album accompanied me on many travels. It is the best thing to listen to on long bus journeys in exotic places or laze on a balcony watching the surf. Those Frenchies nailed it.
Pretty good.
meh meh meh
A classic
I can appreciate it, but not really my thing.
Decent for studying. Gives a very retro vibe.
Muy bueno
You walk into a bar and this is on the speakers: you're not getting a cocktail for under $20
Great downtempo electronic ambient/dream pop music with vocals. Beautiful synths and piano. Smooth bass grooves and some additional horns. String arrangements at some song. Great vocals as well - both male and female.
La femme d'argent // Sexy Boy // Talisman // You Make It Easy // Ce matin-là // Le voyage de Pénélope
Very airy ambient pleasant noise
6/17/24. This is my second album of Air's that I listened to. Compared to the follow up on this one, I enjoyed this one more. A little more upbeat and loved the vocals.
I liked this a lot more than I expected to! Yes it’s electronica, but it’s also very layered, atmospheric and chill. It’s the kind of music that you can put on in the background and still get pulled in every so often by haunting vocals, good percussion or something sonically compelling and experimental. It veers occasionally into almost silly 60s sci-fi effects and can start sounding like soundtrack music, but it’s the soundtrack of a very cool movie you wish was your life.
Nice
My favourite track is the opening one; feels very similar to Parcels and their debut. A very solid synthetic sound throughout the album
space-age stoner grooves. ✨️🕺🏻🎹🍸🪐 highlights: sexy boy; all i need. see also: strange news from another star; portishead on mdma; napoleon dynamite's dance routine; spiritualized.
Love air! This album is great :)
Made my headache worse. DNF
While this isn't really my style, I do really like the vibe going on. Really nice simple compositions that are pleasant. Fairly predictable. It's like listening to macaroni and cheese.
albums like this are the reason i’m doing this challenge. this was completely unique and i don’t know if i would’ve found it otherwise. i listened to it throughout the day and added the whole album.
"Moon Safari" is such a timeless album. It really pulls on the strings of nostalgia for me. I remember discovering it at a record store on a new release listening station. Back then, I listened to a lot of aggressive gabber, DNB, hard house, and the list goes on, but this album hit me differently. It was so soothing, lush, smooth, dreamy, yet euphoric and uplifting. It spoke to my soul. Even today, when I listen to the opening track “La Femme d’Argent,” I still feel that sense of calmness, euphoria, and now, years later, a hit of nostalgia. It takes me back to a time when life seemed simple and carefree. Another element I’ve always appreciated about this album is the way they use synthesizers. They make it clear that they are using analog synthesizers, creating a warm, organic sound that can't be ignored. If you’re a fan of chill and downtempo music, this is a must-hear album. It’s amazing how this album is 25 years old now, but it still feels fresh. This album will never get old.
la femme d'argent sexy boy talisman remember you make it easy le voyage de pénélope
Okay
What are they giving all these French electronic duos? La femme d'argent - 3.8/5 Sexy Boy - 4.7/5 All Need - 5/5 Kelly Watch the Stars - 5/5 Talisman - 4.6/5 Remember - 3.8/4 You Make It Easy - 3.6/5 Ce matin-là - 3.5/5 New Star in the Sky - 3.8/5 Le voyage de Pénélope - 4.9/5 Total - 4.3/5
Turned out better than I thought based on Sexy Boy, which made me want to turn it off. 2.4.
Do people actually listen to this outside of an elevator? Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 2/5
Ambient psychedelic worlds.
nice chill out
chill background music
Interesting. Feels like the precursor to Daft Punk. Less refined, but certainly glimpses in there.
It was fine. Nothing special.
First time listener to Air.. and I dig it.
Not super good but still enjoyable. Very chill. Favourites: la femme d'argent, ce matin-là. Good instrumentals but a little too long also I'm not a fan of french "people". 3/5
Had been meaning to listen to this album for a while, since I love the song Sexy Boy. Rest of the album ended up being very good as well, in a rare French W. Not sure what genre this is but the whole album has a very floaty/ethereal/mysterious sound and really great unique instrumentals. Great music to chill to. I also like that it's cohesive, so if you like one song you will probably like most others (as was my case). I think my music taste has definitely expanded since starting this because I don't think I would have even considered giving this a 5 back then. Another one where my favourites are pretty much the whole album, honestly would buy this on vinyl
Downtempo, ambient pop. Smooth, easy listening that I can kinda zone out to. But when you focus on it it's clear that it was meticulously created to invoke that vibe. It's great background music but the focus on ambience makes active listening a bit difficult. I can't count against it for that alone, but just something I noticed. Would like to revisit. 4/5
Swishy beats and swanky synths, amazing bass lines, luxurious textures, high gloss production. Somehow it's catchy despite being essentially instrumental lounge music. Music for a montage riding elevators up and down a fancy art deco arcade turned mall wearing some Wes Anderson type outfits.
Some chill Psychedelic vibes. Laid back, easy to listen too. Def from the 90s
Eh
Detta var bra, hade tänkt lyssnat på denna skiva innan. Jag hade hört några Air-låtar innan så detta var inte någon överraskning. Det var som en blandning av Röyksopp och Daftpunk, fast förmodligen innan de båda lät så. Måste ha vart ett viktigt band för electronica. Albumet var en skön lyssning hade ett skiftande sound vilket gjorde det mer intressant. Omslaget är helt okej. Det var som jag nämnde innan likt Röyksopp så jag kan inte ge det något lägre än 4/5.
Nice vibe but the songs aren’t there for me
3/5
....+
Sounds really ahead of its time. These french now some stuff about dance huh. low 4
Love me some Air
- vibes off to a good start. de plus ils viennent de Versailles - growing quite fond of how many instrumental albums are a part of this list - big fan of la femme d’argent and kelly watch the stars. - ce matin-la is so beautiful. call and response of the horns (trombones i presume), the feeling of ebb & flow throughout the piece - vocals remind me of daft punk in new star in the sky, but that is just because it’s ‘vaguely european accent through a vocoder’ - what it says on the box. moon safari is a superb name for this album - 4/5 adding to library
I’m not typically a fan of albums with so few lyrics, but this one just screams “rolled down windows riding down A1A”. I downloaded this to my Spotify and plan to do exactly that, all summer long.
Behagelig musikk som passer fint både foran og bak i sinnet ditt :)
Great instrumentals
Not really my type of music
Space sounds! While I do love a good planetarium sound I like it more ambient and the feeling I get from this album is more on the “whimsical/silly” end. Although “New Star in the Sky” was a good one!
I think I enjoyed this. I had never hear of them before. This definitely feels like a late night, dark bar kind of album. That’s not when I listened to it and my listening was cut up at different times of the days so I don’t feel like I have a true judgement. I will probably try this at another time.
Basically elevator music. It doesn't create any emotions in me whatsoever. It's all right to listen to, but I can give no more than two stars for muzak.
Funky, electronic, jazzy album. Very vibrant and distinct. Did not know what I was in for when I saw the first song had a French title. Daft Punk-esq. The album was fun to listen to. Standouts: La femme d’argent, Sexy Boy, Remember, You Make It Easy, New Star In The Sky, and Le voyage de Penelope.
Not quite feeling the vibe on this one
Sikkert ret god at sove til, men ellers ret kedelig
3.3/5 listened 2x.
Very instrumental, felt like a chill, vibey feeling. Jazzy feeling pretty good.
A melhor descoberta desse site em algums dias. Pura psicodelia de sintetizadores incrível misturada com vocal do Eletric Light Orchstra (Remember inclusive me trouxe a mesma energia calma de Still Alive do jogo Portal). Ela começa e finaliza o álbum com duas músicas instrumentais perfeitas. Facilmente 5 estrelas
Beautiful ambient chilled beats with breathy whispered vocals by this French duo. This Album was pretty big back in the late 90s with Sexy Boy & Kelly Watch The Stars the big hits and best tracks on this release. It's good and brought back some good teenage memories for me but the album is a bit repetitive.
Good mood music with some catchy tracks. Not hating this at all.
Perfect album, mooi samenhangend geheel. Geen voorloper in het genre, maar wel een must-listen. Natuurlijk is side 1 veel beter dan side 2 (La Femme d'Argent, All I Need, Sexy Boy én Kelly Watch The Stars op één kant?), maar op side 2 zit toch ook nog You Make It Easy en Ce Matin-La. Op het moment dat ik dit schrijf, is Moon Safari een van mijn meest beluisterde albums van 2024 en kijk ik erg uit naar de show van AIR op Gent Jazz.
favourite song: sexy boy really enjoyed this, definitely preferred it to the virgin suicides one (although i did seriously enjoy that as well)
I knew and liked Sexy Boy but the rest of the album was new to me - and I really quite liked it... Some chilled / ambienty vibes...
Ooooo, this is quite cool and trippy. A world of stars, rainbows and odd flowers abound. Raindrops the colour of swirling words - each one a tiny mirror. Trees with feathers for leaves. That kind of thing! I really enjoyed Sexy Boy, despite the odd title. And All I Need is so pretty, and absorbing. All in all, quite cool. I think some tracks go on a bit too long and the spell is broken. But maybe this is an album to listen to at night - through headphones. I listened in the morning - still connected with the essence of it though. A shiny sound - like A New Star in the Sky.
I've tried to listen to this before and I always lose interest. It's like they took lots of cool 90s bands, took out anything interesting or exciting, mixed them up in a processor, smoothed out any rough edges, added some French vocals and out popped a hit album. Inoffensive background music but I can't get into it at all.
From track 1 alone I was already fairly confident that this would end up something I like. It’s like elevator music for a ride up to space. I’ve been going on a bit of a deep dive into ambient style music whilst studying recently through the likes of Brian Eno, C418, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Floating Points, and some others, and so this really hit the spot for me. Favourite track: All I Need
A bit boring. I enjoyed ‘Remember’ but otherwise nothing much stood out to me.
first track .was expecting some words ngl. second track "sexy boy" wait why do i feel like i know this. or just the beat. pink floyd type shit. idk man. not my type of shit
I like the chill vibe. It's very musical, unlike some trap/house stuff I've heard. ASMR types would love it. I can see where it would have its place for a lot of people. I'm not impressed enough to listen again though. Love the trombone sound in the final song of the album. Really thought it was a trombone, but I looked it up. Nope
I own a CD of this album and have listened to it many times. I tried listening to it with a fresh perspective. I assess albums like this based purely on the appeal of the production and the atmosphere, as there isn't much to dig into lyrically. From that perspective, the album is mostly compelling. It's a bit reminiscent of Kraftwork, but has this mellow, almost moody undercurrent throughout. I have always enjoyed the first four songs the most, and for me the album reaches it's zenith with "Kelly Watch the Stars." I've always felt this song captures a special feeling of hope and wonder, like looking at the night sky, realizing how small we are, and taking comfort in that fact. The album lags a bit after that for me. It still works as background music, but it doesn't cause any stirrings in the way that the early album does. I like this album a lot, but it isn't my favorite.
It's moon safari. 5/5 What I really love more than anything about this album is how well balanced it is across many spectra. It can feel wrong to describe it as mellowed out, because so many of its motifs and ideas are solidly presented to you, rather than rising beneath you. It simultaneously feels wrong to call it any sort of grand journey or something that takes itself very seriously. And still yet, I wouldn't describe this album as whimsical, or funny, or magical. Almost every song leaves me unsatisfied with the adjectives, adverbs, and metaphors I wrote to describe them. The opening track "La femme d'argent" may lead you to believe this album will be chilled out and mellow. While I think this is somewhat refuted by the whirring, pitchy motif later in the song, it's a reasonable prediction. Then "Sexy Boy" hits and already, you are on the other side of the spectrum compared to the opener. This song pulses like an erection, and intoxicates like one. Later in the album, the song "Talisman" is almost reminiscent of a triumphant spy movie soundtrack. "Kelly watch the stars" and "Remember" are soaked in this electronic, wondering at the stars atmosphere. On and on it goes, every song has an insanely unique approach, with detailed strokes across trip-hop, electronic, and jazz. This is a rare album that I feel excels in many more directions than other albums I've given 5/5. Moon Safari is a versatile, masterful work, through and through.
I love this album and it’s a bit of a ‘go-to’ when I want a relaxed background ambience. I was introduced to it by my friend from the USA, Larry, during a scuba diving trip in Egypt. So when I do play it, all my memories of that trip come flooding back. Awesome bass beats and modulation effects - love it. Came back to revisit this one - need an Air track on my 1001 playlist! Came back again and decided to get a track from their other album on the list! - back to 4!
Sexy French floaty low-fi beats? Oui, oui!
I didn’t hate every minute. But neither to I particularly enjoy any of it. Forgettable.
Good. Remember it being much better, but solid easy listening.
Great album been listening to this album for years. Several outstanding tracks including all I need, you make it easy, sexy boy. My favourite is always Ce matin-la.
Lots of fun post-rock reminiscent of Mogwai and others. Will revisit several times.
No. 184/1001 La femme d'argent 3/5 Sexy Boy 3/5 All I Need 3/5 Kelly Watch the Stars 3/5 Talisman 3/5 Remember 3/5 You Make It Easy 4/5 Ce Martin-la 4/5 New Star In The Sky 3/5 La voyage de Penelope 3/5 Average: 3,2 Pretty enjoyable, but I would categorize it as background music.
Great mood music. Very soothing and very retro.
Honestly I’ve surprised how good this album was. Very chilled but very melodic.
I'd have to go with "good studying music". Just something nice to have on in the background.
6/10 This was pretty good. It was like elevator music for a very sexy elevator. 5-20-2024
Good album, good background music, but didn't keep my attention.
Didn’t hit as hard as MJ Cole but no skips, very interesting.
Just chilling
Interesting album. Electronic music isn't my thing but this was relaxing, relatively enjoyable and quite weird.
Perfect
Top work music
lo fi chill beats to dissociate to
Very pleasant