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-song 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 at the age of 65 on 21 September 2021, 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]
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.
- ^ O'Connell, Sharon (May 2021). "New Albums". Uncut: 24.
- ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2025.