The Papyrus
20/07/2026Behind the scenes
The desert has found its voice again
By Chamophélie, special correspondent · 1 min read
Until now we raced in silence. For a few days each arena has had its own music, each gang its own theme, and every token laid on the table sounds like a token laid on a table.
Regulars noticed before I did: it has a sound now. At HQ, five orchestral versions of The Chamo take turns without ever repeating twice running. The boss had his own song rearranged in jazz, lounge and oriental. He calls that "variety".
One tune per arena
The real change is elsewhere. Each faction now has its own theme, triggered at the start and held all the way to the podium. Giza doesn't sound like the temple, and Rome sounds like nothing else. You know where you're racing with your eyes shut.
Add to that a whole small population of noises: the crowd, hooves that quicken as the beast quickens, the rustle of an item being placed, the roar at the line. And a cash-register bell in the shop, whose choice I'll let you attribute.
"Silence never sold a ticket."
— Al Pacciamo, who supervised the recording
A setting lets you turn it all down. I asked whether it could mute the boss's voice. I was told to move along.