Air

Air's first album, Moon Safari, was a French pop masterpiece, an electric lullaby of hushed tones and brooding organ musings. To sate the untutored ears of non-French listeners, Moon Safari also included several tracks in English, including the upbeat "Sexy Boy" and unforgettable slow jam "All I Need." Air received a slew of good press for the album-it set a mood so masterfully it could almost have been a way of life. Premiers Symptomes, an EP collection of early singles released on the Mo' Wax and Source labels, foreshadows many of Moon Safari's dreamy pleasures. The only downside to this EP is that Moon Safari is so damn good-for those who don't own that record, Premiers Symptomes is non-essential. Nonetheless, it shows that Air is no one-trip pony-they've got plenty more artsy pop up their sleeves for next time.

Unlike Moon Safari, Premiers Symptomes is a study in pure atmospherics, with no vocal samples included. The songs are almost narcotic, slow and pensive with smooth breaks and soft Moog leads. Like their compatriots in Stereolab, Air's use of the organ gives their music a vintage yet progressive quality, like a perfect soundtrack to life in a Jetsons-esque space-age slumber pad. "Casa-nova 70" exemplifies the technique, with its horn lead and cascading keyboards segueing into a lubricious organ solo. "Les Professionels" seems to be an early rendering of "All I Need," with its slinky texture and placid backbeat.

With all its trancelike qualities, Premiers Symptomes makes for perfect night music. It's a record for when the lights are off, save a black light glow. It's an oceanic wave of bliss, moving over the ears like a ghost that's barely there. Other than Stereolab and champagne, Air may be France's finest export. They may never rock a party, but they can make the ride home a transcendent experience. -By Jonas Blank