Already superlative soundtrackers of fine films from the likes of Sofia Coppola, Air hits the mother lode of soundtracks with the restoration of Georges Méliès’ landmark 1902 short film of the same name — you may recall Smashing Pumpkins’ "Tonight, Tonight" video was heavily inspired by the film. Méliès’ work perfectly lays the groundwork for Air’s more cinematic and retro-futuristic tendencies to take flight. "Seven Stars" is one of their most moving tracks in years, a space-rock epic featuring backup vocals by Beach House’s Victoria Legrand. "Sonic Armada" lives up to its name, all squealing moogs and space-lounge ambience, while the creepy "Who Am I Now?" throws some atonal theater-style soliloquy into the mix, with vocals courtesy of Au Revoir Simone. It’s a wonderful tribute to Méliès’ work that you can picture his frowning moon and comical interplanetary battle as Air’s tunes orbit gracefully in the background.

Also available as Deluxe Edition CD/DVD.