Following the world premiere of the series at Film Fest Gent, the original series soundtrack was digitally released in the Benelux, marking an intriguing collaboration between Justine Bourgeus (Tsar B) & Hannes De Maeyer. The composers were recently honored with the Ensor Award for Best Original Music, further underlining the critical acclaim for their bold and genre-defying score.
Following its initial release, the album is now worldwide available via Milan Records, including a vinyl edition, in parallel with the series’ growing international rollout.
The global release of the soundtrack coincides with the series’ expanding international rollout across multiple territories.
A Musical World of Surrealism, Suspense and Poetry
For Bourgeus and De Maeyer, This Is Not a Murder Mystery began as a musical duel. Originally invited to pitch separately for the series, they quickly decided to join forces.
“We felt our personal worlds could strengthen one another — almost magically.”
Their soundtrack bends time, style and emotion. Echoes of the 1930s blend with synths, 808s, baroque textures and orchestral eruptions, performed by the Budapest Art Orchestra.
“We allowed fragments of the era — old organs, dusty flutes, pieces of opera — to seep in, then twisted them, colliding them with electronics until they caught fire.”
They drew inspiration from surrealist pioneers such as Leonora Carrington and composers like Kurt Weill and Pierre Schaeffer. The score balances grotesque and lyrical, suspense and absurdism — a sonic universe as unpredictable as the series itself.
Director Hans Herbots on the Collaboration
The six-part Panenka series by director Hans Herbots premiered at Film Fest Gent and airs since October 26 on VRT1 and other broadcasters. It brings together the greatest surrealist artists of the 1930s in a lush murder mystery filled with humor, style and suspense.
Herbots on working with the composers:
“The soundtrack sounds so good it’s almost a crime.
Music officially comes at the end of the filmmaking process,
but in reality it should be the beginning.
What determines the tone more than the way you look at a scene
and the way you feel the story?The musical voice of This Is Not a Murder Mystery emerged from a shared search with Hannes and Justine. Each brought their own world and influences, and after diving deeply into the story, they found a delicate balance between drama, mystery and comedy — exactly the tone our series needed.
The result is a mature, layered and guiding score with a touch of surrealism. A score that not only supports the identity of this wonderful series, but actively shapes it. As a director, you can only be grateful. And sincerely proud: two musicians, one story, and a record made with soul and sharpness.”
About the composers
Justine Bourgeus is a Belgian composer, producer and performer who gained international recognition with her solo project Tsar B. As a film composer, she has worked on Godvergeten (Canvas), Season of Sex (VRT MAX), Assisen, Supernatural and upcoming projectsFloating & Downtown. Her work moves between baroque and electronic, poetry and pop culture. In This Is Not a Murder Mystery, she found the ideal arena to unite her fascination with surrealism and musical experimentation.
Hannes De Maeyer is one of Belgium’s most versatile and acclaimed film composers, known for his collaborations with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Rebel, Black, Gangsta) and for his award-winning score for Torpedo (World Soundtrack Award 2020). His music merges orchestral grandeur with modern tension and emotion. In addition to This Is Not a Murder Mystery, he recently composed for Patience (Channel 4), The Couple Next Door (Channel 4 / STARZ), Professor T (ITV/PBS) and Patsers.
Music Credits
Orchestrations: Nicolas De Cock
Orchestra: Budapest Art Orchestra
Conductor: Gyorgy Gulyas Nagy
Recorded at the OPERA Eiffel Art Studio by East Connection Music Recording
Digital recordist: David Lukacs
Recording engineer: Gabor Buczko
Contractor/session producer: Miklos Lukacs
Solo Violin: Justine Bourgeus, Rodrigo Puskas
Solo Cello: Akos Takacs, Marco Pescosolido
Solo Flute: Evelin Balog
Choir: Jolien De Gendt, Valeriia Pieters, Emmanuelle Schotsaert, Evi Roelants, Eva Goude-Falckenback, Lieve Mertens
Solo Vocals: Justine Bourgeus & Hannes De Maeyer
Choir Recorded by Jesse De Roo
Choir Recorded at Room 13
Music Mix: Werner Penseart at Linster Studios
Music Editing: Siebe Geyskens
Composer Assistant: Kim Eldarova
Mastering: Equus Mastering
Label: VRT MZK / Milan Records
Composer Agency: Strike A Score
TRACKLIST
1. This Is Not an Ouverture (2:45)
2. Grande Ouverture (4:44)
3. The Beloved (1:52)
4. Air (1:49)
5. The Dalís (2:17)
6. One Decent Clue (1:22)
7. Scotland Yard (1:18)
8. Line Up the Guests (2:18)
9. Music For a While (1:10)
10. Memory of Your Brother (1:08)
11. Sheila (1:13)
12. René & Georgette (3:23)
13. Charlie L (2:09)
14. Crucifix (2:11)
15. DC Quant (1:38)
16. Shades of Night (1:15)
17. Companions of Fear (1:45)
18. Swim Swan (3:21)
19. Light It Up (1:27)
20. Where Did You Sleep Last Night (1:12)
21. The Estate (0:58)
22. Tell Me Everything (1:15)
23. Gang of Lunatics (1:12)
24. La Pipe (1:17)
25. Jay Poots (1:17)
26. Happy Voyage, My Friend (1:41)
27. Les amants (0:27)
28. Bad Things Come in Three (3:01)
29. Reconstruction (1:46)
30. Showdown (6:17)
31. Bonne Nuit, My Lord (1:04)
32. Little Aria (1:21)
