23/100 Video - "Midnight City" - M83 (2011)

Few bands evoke nostalgia like France's M83. 

The scenes with the kids exploring abandoned buildings takes me right back to the pig farm days of my childhood. Minus the supernatural powers of course.

It may be cheesy, but the explosive synth riff in the intro that's also the soaring chorus makes the dopamine overflow. 

How good is this Gouda? Well, the greatest 80s tune made outside of the decade very handily makes my desert island six pack o' tracks. 

51/100 Video - "Steve McQueen" - M83 (2011)

 

Much of M83's music is inspired by 80s synth-pop and John Hughes' films. 

From the initial "doop, doop, doop, doops", I knew "Steve McQueen" was going to be a spiritual song. 

The song's instant euphoria is equally matched by a super imaginative video, starring a 'Young Sheldon' boy with special powers.

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The chorus "there's a magic inside, just waiting to burst out" while the toy animals fly by in unison is super nostalgic, and perfectly recalls the magic of childhood. 

The lyrics are an homage to Steve McQueen's carefree attitude in his years leading up to his battle with terminal cancer. 

69/100 Video - "Helena Beats" - Foster the People (2011)

 

"Helena Beats" by Foster the People is my top pick in the category of post-apocalypse videos. 

Our musical hero plays a sort of Mad Max character while the gang of kids he encounters are straight out of Lord of the Flies.

You'll either find the video kind of creepy or super cool. 

2011 - "Midnight City" - M83

It may be cheesy, but the explosive synth riff in the intro that's also the soaring chorus makes the dopamine overflow. How good is this Gouda? Well, the greatest 80s tune outside the decade very handily makes my desert island six pack o' tracks. 

Shout-out to M83's more subtle, dreamier "Kim & Jessie", a close second from 2008, a shimmering homage to 80s synth-pop and John Hughes' films, dressed up with an indie twist.

I have to give "Helena Beat" a little love here, it would have made it in almost any other year this century. 

Other favourites from 2011: 

"Helena Beat" -  Foster The People 

"Set Fire to the Rain" - Adele

"Called Out in the Dark" – Snow Patrol 

"All you Need is Now" – Duran Duran