Oblivion (M83 song)

"Oblivion"
Single by M83 featuring Susanne Sundfør
from the album Oblivion: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released March 26, 2013 (as single)
April 9, 2013 (on soundtrack)
Format Digital download
Genre Synthpop, new wave, electronica, electronic
Length 5:56
Label Back Lot Music
Writer(s) Anthony Gonzalez, Susanne Sundfør
Producer(s) Anthony Gonzalez, Joseph Trapanese

"Oblivion" is a single by French band M83 featuring lead vocals from Norwegian singer Susanne Sundfør. It was released as part of the film soundtrack album Oblivion: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to accompany the film of the same name. It was composed by Anthony Gonzalez.

Composition

"Oblivion" has been classified as a "soaring ballad"[1] that features "interstellar synths and cloud-surfing lead vocals" amidst a mixture of "M83′s dream pop [and] more traditional string and horn arrangements."[2] Rolling Stone observed that the song is "capped with a jazzy instrumental section, just like M83's 2011 hit "Midnight City",[1] while it reminded Consequence of Sound of "Tangerine Dream’s scores from the '80s".[2] Featuring Sundfør's "booming vocals," the song's choir repeats "In the night, you'll hear me calling" over a "bombastic synth swell."[3]

Performances

M83 and Susanne Sundfør performed the song live on April 17, 2013 on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, making it Sundfør's television debut in the United States.[4] Along with M83 and Sundfør, it featured a drummer, bassist and string section. The performance was well received.[5]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Rolling Stone [1]

The song was released as a single on March 26, 2013,[6] and later as part of the film soundtrack Oblivion: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on April 9.[7]

The Express Tribune encouraged viewers of Oblivion to "stick around for the credits that are set to M83’s brilliant title song."[8] Moviefone's Drew Taylor opined that it "might be the best theme song since "Skyfall".[9] The Huffington Post compared it to the songs of Florence + The Machine,[10] while Stereogum‍ '​s Tom Breihan called it a "slow, stately, and gorgeous" collaboration.[11] Mark Hogan of Spin magazine commented that the best part of the song was its outro, as it included "contemplative piano reminiscent of the Twin Peaks theme."[3]

Russ Fischer of /Film was more critical of the song, explaining that "this one doesn’t do as much for me, as has the tenor of a lot of end credit songs that are tailored to be broadly appealing. Your mileage may vary, however... it’ll send a lot of people dancing out of the theater, at the very least, and Sundfør’s voice is quite pretty."[12]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hermes, Will (April 15, 2013). "Oblivion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Caffrey, Dan (April 8, 2013). "Album Review: Anthony Gonzalez and Joseph Trapanese – Oblivion: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hogan, Marc (March 26, 2013). "M83 Share 'Oblivion,' the Popcorn-Ready Title Track From Tom Cruise's Sci-Fi Epic". Spin. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ McGovern, Kyle (April 18, 2013). "M83 Host Susanne Sundfor's TV Debut With Orchestra-Backed 'Oblivion'". Spin. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (April 19, 2013). "Watch: M83 Performs 'Oblivion' On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'". indiewire. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  6. ↑ Corner, Lewis (March 26, 2013). "M83 premiere title song from Tom Cruise's 'Oblivion' - listen". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Oblivion – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Amazon.com. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  8. ↑ Ahmad, Ameer Hamza (May 6, 2013). "Movie review: Space survivors battle oblivion". The Express Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  9. ↑ Taylor, Drew (April 18, 2013). "'Oblivion' Review: 10 Things You Should Know About Tom Cruise's Sci-Fi Epic". Moviefone. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  10. ↑ "M83 'Oblivion' Title Track Revealed, Features Norwegian Singer Susanne Sundfør (AUDIO)". The Huffington Post. March 26, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  11. ↑ Breihan, Tom (March 26, 2013). "M83 – "Oblivion" (Feat. Susanne Sundfør)". Stereogum. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  12. ↑ Fischer, Russ (March 26, 2013). "Listen to Another M83 Track From ‘Oblivion,’ See a New Featurette". /Film. Retrieved May 18, 2013.