In reality, this is a series of three albums that saw staggered release dates before finally being collected together in a box set. As I didn't buy this set until it was included in a Black Friday deal in 2024, mine is from the second pressing. Today I will be looking at Part I of the set which is a ten track album split across two discs.
By the time "Profound Mysteries" was released, eight years had passed since their last album. However, the first track "(Nothing But) Ashes..." has all of the usual Röyksopp motifs and characteristics that provide us with reassurance they have retained their unique sound.
Things really kick off with the first collaboration on this album titled, "Impossible". Alison Goldfrapp sounds totally at home with the grinding analogue synths and lush pads as the song builds to a quite remarkable crescendo. This song is also included on Alison's superb album "The Love Invention" but it was edited down to half its length and the longer version heard here is much more satisfying. This song is utterly brilliant, and for me, it comes close to some sort of electronic music perfection.
Other successful collaborations are with vocalists Beki Mari on "This Time, This Place" and Astrid S on "Breathe". Both of these songs are spine-tingling electronic confections that can satisfy the dance floor whilst simultaneously engaging your brain. Songs like "How the Flowers Grow" and the instrumental "There, Beyond the Trees" are more reflective and offer slightly downtempo grooves to create breathing space between the more frenetic tracks. 4/5
