Profound Mysteries II

Profound Mysteries II is the seventh studio album by Norwegian electronic music duo Röyksopp, released on 19 August 2022. It is the second of three albums in the Profound Mysteries series of albums. It was released with collections of short films (each by a different director) and animated visualizations (by artist Jonathan Zawada) created to accompany each track.

Background and development
In an interview with NME Svein Berge stated that "We are focussing on what we call the mystery – it’s rather pompous, I know," "We even added profound to turn up the nobhead-hood of it all! But anyway, the thing with part two in particular is that with this one, we point to the inspirational genres and artists who helped to forge us when we were kids." He further commented that those with a keen ear will notice heavy references to other artists like Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode, and also genres like Italo Disco and '90s UK rave. It's something they've always used in their music, but that this time it's more strident. He said that "It’s meant as a tribute, not a rip-off."

Critical reception
Profound Mysteries II received critical acclaim from music critics. Eivind August of Aftenposten stated that the album has "Driving bass lines, slowly building rhythms and of course dreamy synth lines. This is Röyksopp as we know them, but with enough innovation that they don't just float on nostalgia." Joakim Randa of Bergens tidende noted that "Especially in its first half, Profound Mysteries II almost sounds like the debut album Melody A.M., but from an alternative universe." and further stated that the track It Was A Good Thing is "a truly beautiful piece of pop music and clearly the best track on the album. The production is restrained, with simple, almost resigned motifs". Timothy Monger of AllMusic described that "Musically, [Röyksopp] continue to subtly expand their signature mix of lush downbeat drama and clever electropop, getting cinematic and darkly funked-out, sometimes in the same song" and that the album is "as satisfying as its predecessor", and that it "is yet another quality entry in Röyksopp's already sterling canon." Marius Asp of Verdens gang stated that the album "gets even better with [the track] Let's Get It Right, [...] - a smooth pop melody that benefits enormously from a warm, organic and intimate soundscape." and commented that the track Unity "is lifted to heaven by euphoric house piano, breakbeats and a powerful singing performance from British Karen Harding."

Accompanying short films
Released between June and August 2022, alongside tracks from Profound Mysteries II.