Norwegian producer Prins Thomas is well known for his vibrant take on cosmic disco and prog-techno, but with his 2016 album Principe Del Norte, he took a different approach.
Released on Smalltown Supersound, this record is a significant departure from his usual dancefloor-focused sound. It’s an immersive, over 100-minute deep dive into ambient and chill-out techno, a style reminiscent of late ’80s and early ’90s pioneers like The Orb and The Black Dog.
Instead of pounding beats, Principe Del Norte is a spacey and psychedelic experience. The album’s nine expansive tracks, each running for at least seven minutes, were crafted more for your living room than a nightclub. The music unfolds slowly, blending atmospheric textures, synths, and guitar into a meditative soundscape that’s both rich and restrained. The track titles correspond to their vinyl placements—from A1 to H—which emphasizes the album’s conceptual flow as a journey meant to be experienced steadily, without repetition or monotony.
By blending influences from krautrock, European synth soundtracks, and his signature cosmic disco, Prins Thomas created a bold, compelling statement. Principe Del Norte has been praised for its masterful sound design and a balance of mature restraint with enthralling musical depth. It’s a key chapter in his discography and a must-listen for anyone who loves deep, atmospheric electronic music with roots in classic ambient and progressive traditions.
