Air

About

Air: Masters of Celestial Soundscapes Air, the Versailles-bred duo of Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel, aren't just creating music; they're crafting sonic architecture. From their breakthrough album, *Moon Safari*, Air carved a niche blending electronic textures with lush orchestral arrangements, drawing influences from Brian Eno, Erik Satie, and even the prog-rock sensibilities of Pink Floyd. Forget pulsating club beats; Air leans into evocative melodies and melancholic atmospheres. *Moon Safari*, released in 1998, catapulted them to international acclaim, its smooth, sophisticated sound becoming a soundtrack for the late 90s/early 2000s. Subsequent albums, like *10,000 Hz Legend* and *Talkie Walkie*, saw them experiment with more angular sounds while retaining their core aesthetic. Collaborations with artists like Charlotte Gainsbourg ("5:55") and Sofia Coppola (scoring *The Virgin Suicides*) further cemented their status as arbiters of cool, blurring the lines between music and cinema. Air's impact resonates in the rise of chillwave and other synth-driven genres, proving their enduring influence on contemporary music. Though primarily focused on individual projects in recent years, their legacy as purveyors of sophisticated, emotionally resonant electronica remains unchallenged. Air didn't just make music; they composed moods.