Prolific neo-disco musician Prins Thomas issued two short albums in the first quarter of 2022, and combined both as a single CD. Both 8 and 9 are pretty easygoing sets of upbeat, bubbly synth-disco tracks that edge into funk and space rock. Like most of Thomas material, everything sounds live and organic rather than programmed, and while much of it is certainly danceable, its never formulaic. 8s opener "Kjaere Mamma" is both wide-eyed and a bit dramatic, with lush, sparkling melodies carried along by a skipping drum machine beat. The song manages to suspend an ecstatic feeling, as if one has floated up to a cloud and remained there. Most of the other tracks on 8 have heavier disco drums and more pronounced funk basslines, and are overall more club-friendly, yet still brisk and atmospheric. John Carroll Kirby contributes glistening keyboards to "Cool Coronas," which Thomas surrounds with a steady, relaxed beat and a few shots of burbling analog synths. "Sunroof Down," which features past collaborator Bugge Wesseltoft, is simply gorgeous, with a cruising rhythm and jazzy synth solos that spread out like sunrays, approximating a carefree car ride on a beautiful summer day. The album cools down by the end, with "Film 001 (Slapp Finale)" reframing the chords to Radioheads "Optimistic" with sly synths, soft guitars, and shaker-laced drums, calmly ascending to space without causing a fuss. Thomas music usually sounds like it was created spontaneously during jam sessions, and while hes released a few albums that are a bit messy or meandering, 8 is easily one of his more focused, concise efforts. 9 feels a little more casual and loose. The song title "Layback Rollout" is all too appropriate, as smooth guitar lines and whispered, scat-like vocals blend with a bubbly, synth-driven rhythm and soaring melody. John Carroll Kirby returns on "Earthbound," a midtempo burner that reveals its complexity when it slows down in the middle. When this happens, the sparkling synth sequence comes to the fore, and it feels like zooming in on a geode and observing all of its dazzling crystals. "I Love U" also stays at a steady, unhurried pace, but its sparkling synths ripple more rapidly, and the passionate backing vocals and abrupt insertions of the songs title add a sentimental edge. The nine-minute "Take Over Fjorden" piles bongos over a lightly skipping drum machine, effortlessly cruising across the sky. Perhaps best of all is "Film 006," which feels like an uplifting tune to accompany the rolling of final credits. A welcome companion to 8, 9 is one of Prins Thomas sunniest, most carefree albums. ~ Paul Simpson

Rovi