Mastering the M83 Sound
"Ok Pal" captures the quintessential energy of M83—driving, ethereal, and bursting with emotion. Released during the era surrounding Saturdays = Youth, the track combines the urgency of pop-punk with the texture of shoegaze. For a singer, this song is less about vocal gymnastics and more about stamina, tone placement, and vibe.
Anthony Gonzalez's vocal delivery here is urgent. He uses a mix of shouting chest voice for the chants and delicate, breathy textures for the verses. The challenge lies in maintaining that energy without running out of air or straining your throat against the wall of synth sound.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Breath
The tempo is fast. Many users score low on "Timing" because they take breaths at random intervals. Plan your breath marks strictly between phrases to keep up with the kick drum.
Phase 1: The Driving Verse
The song starts with a relentless rhythm. The vocals sit in the mid-range (C#3 - E4). The key here is not to sing too "heavy." If you use too much chest weight, you will drag behind the beat.
Technique: Keep your sound "forward." Visualize the sound buzzing in your mask (nose and cheekbones). This allows you to articulate words quickly and cut through the mix without yelling.
Phase 2: The Ethereal Texture
M83 is famous for layered vocals. In the more open sections, switch to a "breathy" tone. This doesn't mean whispering (which dries out cords), but rather allowing a controlled amount of air to escape with the tone.
- Vowel Shaping: Keep vowels tall and narrow. A wide mouth shape spreads the sound too much for this genre.
- Falsetto Pops: There are moments where the voice flips up. Keep these light and fluty.
Phase 3: The "Shout" Chorus
When the energy peaks, the vocals become chant-like. This is a controlled shout. Engage your core muscles (support) strongly to push the air, rather than squeezing your throat.
If you feel a tickle in your throat, you are engaging the false vocal cords. Stop, drink water, and try to vocalize with a "whiney" or "nagging" tone to find the correct clean placement again.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main chest/mix melody hits around an A4, but the harmonies and falsetto layers go higher. Focus on the main energy of the mid-range first.
In the app, you can turn up the "Reverb" and "Delay" monitoring effects. However, for scoring purposes, sing clearly. The dreaminess comes from a relaxed, airy delivery, not just effects.
This is common with high-tempo tracks. Practice cardio exercises or sing while walking to improve your diaphragm stamina.
