Last year was quite good for Anthony Gonzalez. The French musician known as M83 released Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, an absolutely breathtaking album that stole the hearts (and ears) of bloggers and music fans around the globe, deeming it one of the top records of 2011. In addition, the LP’s first single, “Midnight City,” was named one of the top songs of the year in numerous publications. Gonzalez’s talent of layering instrumentation and electronics to create vast soundscapes is what piqued interest in the music world, and his knack for writing catchy pop melodies is what hooked it. If you’ve ever listened to “Midnight City,” you know what I mean—the buoyant keys, melodic guitar riffs, beautiful male/female vocal harmonies infiltrate your eardrums and stick in your brain.

Gonzalez tends to record his music mostly on his own, but during live shows, a full band accompanies him, making his performances just as magnificent and grandiose as his recorded material. If you live in the Los Angeles area, I suggest you treat yourself to a mind-blowing musical experience and go see M83 perform Thursday, January 12^th and/or Friday, January 13^th at the iconic Club Nokia. Tickets are $25. Doors at 8 pm.