Pantha Du Prince - Black Noise

An album should never be perfect to listen to in every situation and environment. Music is particular to our mood, and what we are doing at the time. If an album were to be suitable to listen to at any time, it must therefore not be a very effective album, as it does not effect our emotions upon listening to it. Pantha Du Prince’s ‘Black Noise’ is not something to listen to on a night out, and it’s not something to listen to if you want to lift your mood, but if you can get the atmosphere just right, it’s the perfect audio experience.

Pantha Du Prince is electronic music at it’s most exploratory. Solely composed and performed by German musician Hendrick Weber, it is not something that only the ‘hardcore’ electronic music fans can enjoy. In fact, it seems quite accesible to new ears to the genre, and would be a great place to start in an area of music that many find daunting. This is Weber’s third album, and will hopefully go on to garner the mainstream success that this album deserves above all his previous works.

‘Black Noise’ is an album best enjoyed alone, or at least amongst silent colleagues. If you were to put it on whilst writing a particularly difficult report for example, it would suit very well. It is in this environment that this album thrives. It’s ambient and unnerving tones wash over the listener and propel their mind into concentration, providing a perfect background in which to work in a relaxed, blissful environment. For example, album highlight ‘Im Bann’ is almost as reminiscent of post-rock bands like This Will Destroy You as it is to Pantha’s techno compatriots, with twinkling keyboard sounds allowing the listener to become relaxed, calm, but still focused. Album closer ‘Lay In A Shimmer’ bathes the person listening in repetitive rhythms that relax the senses. In many ways this is indeed the perfect album to work to, as it is relaxing, yet enjoyable, and most importantly it does not distract too much attention.

Inevitably, an album that fits such a small niche is bound to have problems, and this does have one or two. Namely, songs like ‘A Nomad’s Retreat’, that is entirely not in keeping with the soothing tone of the rest of the album, and sounds vulgar when placed halfway through the record. As well as this, if you were to listen to the album for a long period of time whilst only focusing on the music itself, it does become rather repetitive, as many rythmic patterns and styles end up being replicated in various places on the album. Under scrutiny, these cracks reveal themself quite quickly.

However, this is not an album that is meant to be listened to under scrutiny, or at least it shouldn’t be. This is the perfect album for anyone who wants an engaging, but relaxing soundtrack to peaceful and productive work, and what with exams for students fast approaching, this is a vital tool that should be utilised.