Video: M83’s “Reunion”

M83 has released a new video for their most recent single, “Reunion” from 2011’s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming which won spots on Pitchfork, Stereogum, Spin Magazine, and others’ top lists of 2011. The video continues the storyline from the “Midnight City” video, which follows five children with telekinetic powers. In the first video, the children escape from some kind of institute and eventually take up residence in a warehouse where they practice their powers. The final, beautiful scene is of their glowing blue eyes watching protectively over the city before them. In “Reunion,” we get a sense of what they are protecting the city from. A child with red eyes is helping government agents search for and destroy the children. This must be the fate the blue-eyed children escaped from. The final confrontation takes place during the spoken part of the song- with the camera switching between close shots of the main blue-eyed boy and the red-eyed girl as expressions of yearning and love are heard in the background. It’s no wonder the blue-eyed boy wins and the girl appears free of the evil influence of the adults she is with. The final scene is of the children basking in their own loving light. With gorgeous sweeping shots of the city and touching cinematic moments focusing on the children’s hands, Gonzales and video directors Fleur & Manu create a beautiful visual to the magnificent song. I can only hope this storyline continues with another single from Gonzales’ brilliant sixth album. Watch “Reunion” now- and see if you can spot the tribute to the late Adam “MCR” Yauch of the Beastie Boys (hint: something is named after him in the video).