Typically, the French space-synth outfit M83 makes the perfect soundtracks for skeleton costumed hooligans to chase down a frantic Ralph Macchio on motorbikes in the Karate Kid. Unfortunately, M83’s new effort saunters like a slow dance from Sixteen Candles. The loud My Bloody Vangelis arena rockers are notably absent from this album. In their place are lifeless’ and dare I say cheesy’pop songs that could easily be mistaken for Japanese ad jingles.

Fortunately, Anthony Gonzalez succeeds on a handful of songs. On ‘Couleurs,’ he channels the ghost of 1980s era New Order. The first part of the two-track pairing of ‘The Sky is Calling’ resurrects the intense drumming and swooping vocals that established M83’s distinct sound in the early 2000’s, while ‘Pt. 2′ lays out an 11 minute Brian Eno-esque soundscape. Though these songs shouldn’t quite be deemed an opus, they are the most realized portion of the album. At its best, M83’s music wraps the listener in a filmic world teeming with the imagery of car chases, undersea exploits, and sci-fi space battles. Yet, Saturday=Youth does not take the listener anywhere new. Perhaps it’s time for M83 to get over 1983.

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