Prisoners of the Sun - Creating Social Success

Prisoners of the Sun, a duo formed by Thomas Wilhelmy & Achim Lüthje, describe their mission as one of manufacturing “scientific darkness.” They were a part of the original wave of minimal psytrance artists back in the summer of 2001, releasing the album Are You Scientific Enough? on Sunset Recordings out of Germany. I will admit I was never a fan of their early work; it wasn’t until Aspirin + Cola was released on Tatsu’s Pure Bliss compilation that I realized what a talent this duo possessed for creating deep and groovy progressive with an uncommon character. Two tracks previously released on compilations with Tribal Vision reinforced this impression – Polish Lips and Pole Position Club were both near-instant favourites. The announcement of a second POTS album was therefore met with growing anticipation on my behalf, and I’m glad to have the finished product in my possession ready for the fine-toothed review treatment.

Crystal Cream opens the album with a tour of the group’s signature sound. The technique is quite elegant, cycling through a small assortment of floating hooks both thoughtful and innocent. Denouement is reached as the primary melodies layer up in the final moments. While it doesn’t take any risks this introductory song is a warm and pleasant beginning for the album.

Hello Kitty brings it back a bit, cruising softly through the sounds of sand and surf. Hailed as a progressive crossover tune, it remains resolutely sublime for the duration. It is just enough to get one wiggling comfortably, and is sure to appeal to seekers of low-key grooves.

Trance Popper begins to elaborate on the dirty tribal style that I enjoyed so much on Pole Position Club, though it is not quite as heavy-handed. The fat groove is thoroughly enjoyable, and the gloomy melodic tones that enter close to the fourth minute sound great. The last two minutes take a different approach: the story transitions into a more delicate phase, lush with faint hints of sparkling melodies. This song is the first notable highlight of the album; a blissful piece of dark progressive for discerning dance floors.

Bravo is one of the sweeter tracks found here, with a smart and snappy groove complimented by a catchy laidback hook. The crunchy percussive loops are noticeably distinct, locking the listener into the mathematically precise patterns of this slick twilight manifesto. The result is a memorable exploration of the group’s primary motif: scientific darkness.

Botox Party is another nod towards tribal house, with a thick hearty groove topped off with a scattershot assortment of funky drum work. The tone of this piece is once again marginally on the dark side, traversing melancholic territory with assured grace. The squelchy lead that develops in the last third really compliments the rest of the composition, and the arrangement is once again developed with an advanced aesthetic in mind. Another solid piece of work!

Groove Garden carries on with the sophisticated cocktail hour sound, suavely expressing a serene and tranquil vision of progressive trance. The hooks in this one are tightly wrapped around the pulsating rhythms, which wriggle through cautious permutations. Once established, the track drifts on in a hypnotic fashion, maintaining a pleasant atmosphere. It’s not challenging, and it might get a little dry in some circumstances, but the quality of the production can easily be heard.

Eifelgold is the most upbeat track of the album, cracking away at 140 BPM. The pacing is put to good use, luckily! An intricate rhythmic section is complimented by one of the more prominent bass lines on the album, which shines in several key moments. The atmosphere proves to be epic, mysterious, and slightly melancholic at times, distilling a tangible emotional depth. Despite the speed, this song is incredibly gentle. The result is not short on charm, and a sure highlight from the album.

Dandy Division is the real definition of progressive trance, working with small elements over ten minutes of steady grooving to gather a considerable amount of energy. The sum is greater than the parts on this carefully crafted sleeper, which is doused in the casual blend of dark and light influences heard all across Creating Social Success. Stunning in simplicity!

Tussy De Luxe closes the album with a lush journey into deep trance strengthened with stunning atmospheric qualities and an impeccably smooth flow. There is a sublime sort of magic at work here, conjuring sounds which feel as if they might go on forever. Despite being the last track of the album, this one seems to express the most raw emotional energy, and the album is that much stronger for it. A beautiful finale!

Creating Social Success is a great release that crosses boundaries while maintaining a high quality standard. The tracks are ordered in such a way that the entire listening experience possesses a cohesive flow. The sound is often so soft and delicate that this is one of the rare albums that may in fact be more suited for lounging around at home than the party environment, but qualified DJs are sure to be putting these tracks to good use in the right moments. Personally I found this to be a very challenging piece of music, as so much of what makes this good is oblique, covert, and not readily apparent. It’s the sort of release you need to throw on and simply soak in to get a proper sense of it, and it may take quite some time! An open-mind and an attention that does not wander will be useful in processing this album, which may prove to be impervious to some listeners. There is the danger of it being too sublime, and this may result in a disaffected response. Progressive fans have a much better chance of digesting it, as long as one can appreciate the tranquil approach. Despite all that, the album is a substantial work brimming with vivid soundscapes with a highly polished sheen. Creating Social Success is a fine pick for lazy home listening, and a key purchase for progressive DJs dabbling around in the afternoon hours.

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