Kim & Jessie
Encyclopedia
"Kim & Jessie" is a song by French
electronic
/dream pop
act M83
. Written by Anthony and Yann Gonzalez with Morgan Kibby
, it was released in July 2008 as the third single
from M83's fifth studio album, Saturdays = Youth
.
's list of the top 100 songs of 2008. Pitchfork's Mark Pytlik said that "with its apocalyptic electric drum hits, keening synths, icily detached vocals, and volcanic chorus, 'Kim & Jessie' not only ranked as the album's best song, but also combined with the similarly convincing "Graveyard Girl
" to make one of the year's most potent 1-2 punches."
Paste
's Jeff Leven called it the album's "clear standout" and "one of the best songs of 2008."
James Gwyther of Drowned in Sound
wrote that "the processed vocals from Gonzalez and an overall air of nostalgia [...] combine to craft a delicious electro
number."
Glide Magazine's Chuck Myers explained that the song is "like hearing an alternate-universe version of The Psychedelic Furs, one where Richard Butler
couldn't write memorable songs."
for "Kim & Jessie" ranked number 47 on Pitchfork's list of the top 50 videos of the 2000s.
The video, directed by Eva Husson, depicts two teenage roller skating girls who, at the end of the clip, are seen kissing male dreadlocked roller bladers. Rob Simonsen of The Portland Mercury
noted the video "seems simple enough" but that "the dark undertones are inescapable."
A Stereogum
article stated that "whatever the first few minutes of the clip makes you assume about Kim & Jessie’s secret world, the ending will probably prove you wrong."
Brandon Soderberg of Slant Magazine
suggested the "make-out session [...] is an age and community acceptable transference
for the characters' love for one another." Soderberg added that the ending "maintains M83's underlying sense of sadness and longing."
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
/dream pop
Dream pop
Dream pop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s, when bands like The Passions, Dif Juz, Lowlife and A.R. Kane began fusing post-punk and ethereal experiments with bittersweet pop melodies into dreamy, sensual soundscapes. The term was almost...
act M83
M83 (band)
M83 is a musical act by French musician Anthony Gonzalez. It is named after a spiral galaxy, Messier 83. The band was founded in 2001 by Gonzalez and former member Nicolas Fromageau in Antibes, France...
. Written by Anthony and Yann Gonzalez with Morgan Kibby
Morgan Kibby
Morgan Kibby is an American singer-songwriter who is based in Los Angeles. She has had various musical projects throughout the years including fronting the LA based indie band The Romanovs, collaborating and touring with the French electronic/ambient group M83, to her most current solo project...
, it was released in July 2008 as the third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from M83's fifth studio album, Saturdays = Youth
Saturdays = Youth
Saturdays = Youth is the fifth studio album by French electronic band M83, first released on 11 April 2008. The album was produced by Ken Thomas, known for his work with Sigur Rós, The Sugarcubes, Cocteau Twins, and Suede, with co-production by Ewan Pearson and M83 leader Anthony Gonzalez.The...
.
Critical reception
"Kim & Jessie" ranked number five on Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's list of the top 100 songs of 2008. Pitchfork's Mark Pytlik said that "with its apocalyptic electric drum hits, keening synths, icily detached vocals, and volcanic chorus, 'Kim & Jessie' not only ranked as the album's best song, but also combined with the similarly convincing "Graveyard Girl
Graveyard Girl
"Graveyard Girl" is a song by French electronic/dream pop act M83. Written by Anthony Gonzalez with his brother Yann, it was released in April 2008 as the second single from M83's fifth studio album, Saturdays = Youth.-Background and composition:...
" to make one of the year's most potent 1-2 punches."
Paste
Paste (magazine)
Paste is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine published in the United States by Wolfgang's Vault. Its tagline is "Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture."-History:...
's Jeff Leven called it the album's "clear standout" and "one of the best songs of 2008."
James Gwyther of Drowned in Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
wrote that "the processed vocals from Gonzalez and an overall air of nostalgia [...] combine to craft a delicious electro
Electro (music)
Electro is a genre of electronic dance music directly influenced by the use of TR-808 drum machines, Moog keytar synthesizers and funk sampling...
number."
Glide Magazine's Chuck Myers explained that the song is "like hearing an alternate-universe version of The Psychedelic Furs, one where Richard Butler
Richard Butler (singer)
Richard Lofthouse Butler is the lead singer of the Psychedelic Furs. He is also the founder and vocalist for the disbanded Love Spit Love.-Musical career:...
couldn't write memorable songs."
Accolades
| Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitchfork Media Pitchfork Media Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock... |
US | Top 100 Tracks of 2008 | 2008 | 5 |
| Rolling Stone Rolling Stone Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J... |
US | 100 Best Singles Of 2008 | 2008 | 85 |
| Treble | US | Top 50 Songs of 2008 | 2008 | 6 |
| The Village Voice The Village Voice The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City... |
US | 2008 Pazz & Jop Pazz & Jop The Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics... |
2008 | 29 |
| Pitchfork Media | US | Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s | 2009 | 256 |
Music Video
Released in July 2008, the music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Kim & Jessie" ranked number 47 on Pitchfork's list of the top 50 videos of the 2000s.
The video, directed by Eva Husson, depicts two teenage roller skating girls who, at the end of the clip, are seen kissing male dreadlocked roller bladers. Rob Simonsen of The Portland Mercury
The Portland Mercury
The Portland Mercury is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Portland, Oregon. It serves to chronicle the ever-changing Portland music scene, and generally includes interviews, commentaries, reviews, and concert dates...
noted the video "seems simple enough" but that "the dark undertones are inescapable."
A Stereogum
Stereogum
Stereogum was one of the first MP3 blogs. It was created by Scott Lapatine in January 2002 with a focus on independent and alternative music news, downloads, videos, and gossip. Stereogum has received several awards and citations, including the 2008 Plug Award for best music blog, Blender's...
article stated that "whatever the first few minutes of the clip makes you assume about Kim & Jessie’s secret world, the ending will probably prove you wrong."
Brandon Soderberg of Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
suggested the "make-out session [...] is an age and community acceptable transference
Transference
Transference is a phenomenon in psychoanalysis characterized by unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to another. One definition of transference is "the inappropriate repetition in the present of a relationship that was important in a person's childhood." Another definition is "the...
for the characters' love for one another." Soderberg added that the ending "maintains M83's underlying sense of sadness and longing."