BN9Drone
| BN9Drone | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 23 April 2021 | |||
| Recorded | July 2014–April 2020[1] | |||
| Studio | Western Works (Sheffield)[1] | |||
| Genre | Drone[2] | |||
| Length | 64:01 | |||
| Label | Mute | |||
| Producer | Richard H. Kirk | |||
| Cabaret Voltaire chronology | ||||
| ||||
BN9Drone is a studio album by Cabaret Voltaire, a project of English musician Richard H. Kirk.[3] It was released on 23 April 2021 through Mute Records.[4] It received generally favorable reviews from critics.[4]
Background
BN9Drone is the final installment in a series of four Cabaret Voltaire releases, following Shadow of Fear (2020), the Shadow of Funk EP (2021), and Dekadrone (2021).[5][6]
In 2020, Richard H. Kirk released Shadow of Fear, Cabaret Voltaire's first studio album since The Conversation (1994).[7] He then released a three-track EP, Shadow of Funk, on 26 February 2021.[6] A 50-minute piece, titled Dekadrone, was released on 26 March 2021.[5] A 64-minute piece, titled BN9Drone, was released on 23 April 2021.[5]
Kirk died on 21 September 2021 at the age of 65, and BN9Drone became his final studio album.[3]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 71/100[4] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [8] |
| Mojo | [9] |
| MusicOMH | [10] |
| Uncut | 8/10[11] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, BN9Drone received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 71 out of 100 from 4 critic scores.[4]
Paul Simpson of AllMusic described the album as "another apocalyptic soundscape filled with heavy washes of distortion and ominous voices that seem like broken transmissions from across a battlefield."[8] Matt Cotsell of MusicOMH commented that "there is no feeling of calm to be found in its presence, or hope for serenity as it surveys and assaults at every turn."[10] He added, "Disorientating swatches of subterranean noise belie the track's association with the airborne delivery device, so beloved of peeping toms, capitalists and warmongers the world over."[10] Sharon O'Connell of Uncut stated, "this is a dark, heavy and deceptively simple electronic soundscape, masterfully composed, its vast, rumbling plain recalling recent shots of Mars' arid surface, disrupted by the urgent crackling of police comms and flares of violent white noise."[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "BN9Drone" | Richard H. Kirk | 64:01 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[1]
- Richard H. Kirk – production, arrangement
- Denis Blackham – mastering
- Barnes&Barnes – artwork
- Phil Wolstenholme – layout
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Dance Albums (OCC)[12] | 14 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[13] | 39 |
References
- ^ a b c Cabaret Voltaire (2021). BN9Drone (CD booklet). Mute Records.
- ^ Kenneally, Cerys (21 September 2021). "Cabaret Voltaire's Richard H. Kirk dies aged 65". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b Simpson, Dave (8 October 2021). "Richard H Kirk obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d "BN9Drone by Cabaret Voltaire". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Eede, Christian (28 January 2021). "Cabaret Voltaire To Release New EP, 'Shadow Of Funk'". The Quietus. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Cabaret Voltaire Reveals New EP and Two Drone Albums". XLR8R. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ Beaudoin, Jedd (11 February 2021). "Universal Energy: An Interview With Cabaret Voltaire's Richard H. Kirk". PopMatters. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b Simpson, Paul. "BN9Drone - Cabaret Voltaire". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ Worthy, Stephen (May 2021). "Mojo Filter". Mojo: 87.
- ^ a b c Cotsell, Matt (23 April 2021). "Cabaret Voltaire – Dekadrone / BN9Drone". MusicOMH. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b O'Connell, Sharon (May 2021). "New Albums". Uncut: 24.
- ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart on 30/4/2021 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 30/4/2021 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2025.