The Shoegaze Anthem of a Generation
Released on the 2011 album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, "Reunion" is a masterclass in dream pop dynamics. Anthony Gonzalez's vocals are drenched in reverb and emotion, acting more like an instrument in the wall of sound than a traditional lead vocal. The song captures the feeling of youth, nostalgia, and urgency.
To sing this well, you need to balance breathiness with power. The track transitions from murmured verses to an explosive, chanting chorus. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Breath Support
Because the vocal style is "breathy," singers often run out of air too quickly. Focus on diaphragmatic support even during the quiet verses. You need a full tank of air to sustain the long notes in the chorus.
Phase 1: The Verses (Spoken-Sung)
The song begins in D major. The verses are delivered in a low, almost spoken cadence. The pitch hovers around F#3 and E3. The key here isn't projection; it's texture.
The Trap: Singing too clearly. M83's style relies on a "dreamy" slur. Don't over-enunciate your consonants. Let one word bleed into the next to match the atmospheric synths.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Climb
As the drums kick in, the vocal intensity must rise. You aren't belting yet, but you are moving from a "heady" whisper into a more connected chest voice. The lyrics "Did I see you / See you walking" need to cut through the mix slightly more than the verse.
Phase 3: The Anthemic Chorus
This is the release. The melody jumps up, hitting A4s on the lines "We are the new wound." This is not sung in a pretty falsetto; it is a technique often called "shout-singing" or a high-energy belt.
To hit this without strain, imagine you are calling out to someone across a street. Keep the sound forward in your "mask" (the front of your face). If you try to sing this from your throat, you will fatigue within seconds. Keep the energy high, but the tension low.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main vocal melody hits an A4 consistently in the chorus. Background harmonies may go higher into the 5th octave.
While the original track is heavy on effects, practicing "dry" (without effects) is better for technique. Once you master the pitch in the Singing Coach AI app, the "dream pop" vibe will come naturally.
It is a high chest/mix voice. If you sing it in falsetto, it will lack the "anthemic" power required to match the energy of the instrumentation.
