Particle-physics electronica

By Michael Banks

Fancy a bit of particle-physics electronica?

Then make sure you download the latest album from Isle of Wight electronic duo Cosmic Mind Warp.

In a “unique crossover” between the worlds of cosmology, quantum physics and electronic music, Alister Staniland and David Holmberg have just released a new concept album dubbed Subatomic Particles.

The 15-track album, which features songs such as “Large Hadron Collider”, “Quantum Tunnelling” and “Down Quark”, is described by the duo as a “hallucinogenic head-trip through the microscopic world of subatomic particles and the strangeness of quantum physics”.

I have to admit that the genre of music is not exactly my cup of tea, but make sure you listen out for the tracks that feature vocal snippets from scientists that are overlaid on the music.

Staniland says that he has always been “naturally” interested in physics, having watched documentaries on TV as well as on YouTube. “Our music is quite spacey and we’ve often made tracks that have some reference to space,” Staniland told physicsworld.com. “The subject of particle physics is a very strange world, so it marries nicely to the kind of atmospheric electronic music that we do.”

Staniland says that he has yet to get feedback from physicists about the album. “We did send it to physics poster boy – and former pop star – Brian Cox, but no reply so far,” adds Staniland. “Maybe he feels threatened by someone else trying to popularize science.”

And do the band have plans for another physics-inspired album? “I doubt whether any other branch of physics could provide such a rich vein of musical inspiration as particle physics, but you never know – we’re not going to rule it out,” he says. “If anyone can suggest an area of physics that might be particularly suitable, maybe we’ll look at creating a companion EP.”

Subatomic Particles is available to stream free of charge or to download for $2.55. If you want to get hold of the CD, then you will have to wait until 8 May.