If you ever get the chance to speak to Pantha Du Prince, take it. For our newest issue, we did and loved his very German way of speaking quick and forced, coupled with a very universally grandparent-ish making sure that everyone was fine (everyone being us). Though many of his musical ideas are deep down the rabbit hole of his own mind, and he's not shy about lengthily narrating the historical reasons behind his obsession with cosmic sounding bells, he'll stop to make sure he's not lost you. Then he'll laugh at himself for sounding too silly. But, truth is, his level mix of seriousness and mockery of it is a welcome change from either extreme. As is his music, always bubbling with ringing, as is "The Splendour," from his upcoming Black Noise, his first album for Rough Trade, marking their return to releasing explorativie electronic music. Pantha's is a thoroughly unique take on techno, never settling into a repetitive rhythm though never straying into ambient, improvised territory that a brief listen might lead you to believe. Hannukah begins this Friday at sundown and Pantha Du Prince is appropriately celebratory music for a holiday known as the Festival of Lights—spacious, familial, enveloping. If you have to listen to something for eight days of presents, you'd be hard pressed to find something brighter.
Download: Pantha Du Prince, "The Splendour"
