The Fear of Never Landing takes us on a dynamic journey that's atmospheric, diaphanous and never short of mesmerising. While the new record is certainly infused with a sense of hope, there's more than a soupon of anxiety too, as the title suggests.

Formed in Manchester in 2003, their debut album, Under Wires and Searchlights (2003), introduced their signature sound, but it was their 2011 release of Weightless that brought international acclaim. Developed in collaboration with a sound therapist, Weightless was scientifically recognised as "the world's most relaxing song", praised for its ability to reduce anxiety and heart rates. With over 900 million streams and widespread coverage across media, the track remains a cultural phenomenon.

Over the years, Marconi Union has continued to evolve, producing critically acclaimed albums such as Signals (2021), Ghost Stations (2016), and Tokyo+ (2017). Their work has been hailed for its emotional resonance and sonic depth, with The Quietus noting their ability to find "beauty in the bleakest places" and The Sunday Times describing them as "amongst today's most talented musicians."

With The Fear of Never Landing, Marconi Union once again showcases their unmatched ability to create immersive soundscapes that resonate deeply. The album reaffirms their position as masters of atmosphere and emotional storytelling, making it an essential addition to their storied catalog.

A 55-minute odyssey presented as one seamless piece divided into nine movements, they transcribe the nexus of modern living into a mostly wordless odyssey. The album encapsulates Marconi Union's ability to translate the complexities of the human experience into sound, all while maintaining a stunning sense of cohesion.

Beyond their studio albums, Marconi Union has collaborated with visual artists, provided soundtracks for installations, and remixed notable acts like Max Richter and Vk. Their invitation by Brian Eno to perform at Norway's Punkt Festival further cemented their reputation as innovators in the ambient music sphere.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Stunningly rich electronic music that beautifully drifts in the open space between ambient downbeat music or 'IDM' (sorry) like Kiasmos or Jon Hopkins while cleverly and impactfully floating through a series of clever key changes and pivots more akin to the jazzy timbres of GoGo Penguin or The Drift. A stunningly cohesive, evocative behemoth of an album, and a collection that shows the true breadth of MU's staggering sound design skill.

TRACK LISTING

Through The Heat Waves
Eight Miles High Alone
In Motion
Inhale
Crystalline
Exhale
One More Rush
Silence Is Gliding
Cloud Surfing

Originally released in 2014 and their most successful album to date, the band's 7th studio album Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Vol 2) is now to be released on vinyl.

The album includes the now iconic and seminal track Weightless together with 5 more tracks, the latter derived from the ideas of the former, simply entitled Part 1 – Part 6. The tracks are minimal, combining warm drones and drifting sounds with occasional sparse rhythms. The inspiration for the album came after the band were commissioned to collaborate with a sound therapist from the British Academy of Sound Therapy and write a piece of relaxing music, the first "Weightless" track. When scientifically tested for its effectiveness scientists reported that their research indicated that the music slowed the heart rate, reduced blood pressure and decreased levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone that is released in response to stress. When the research was made public there was an instant and intense media reaction which continues to this day.

"Minimal, introspective, ethereal electronica – gorgeous" The Guardian

"Exquisite, subtle soundscapes, an essential purchase for ambient addicts" DJ Mag

"Amongst today's most talented musicians" The Sunday Times

TRACK LISTING

Weightless Part 1
Weightless Part 2 
Weightless Part 3
Weightless Part 4
Weightless Part 5
Weightless Part 6

Marconi Union are considered one of the leading ambient and electronic-synth acts in the world, continuously topping many lists as the most important contemporary ambient artists around today. The Manchester band often draw comparisons with Brian Eno and Biosphere, perhaps Sigur Ros, but the graceful manner with which their richly melodic compositions unfold and the emotion these evoke sets them apart from their peers.

Signals is the latest addition to Marconi Union’s highly acclaimed discography. Despite having released twelve albums in the last eighteen years they continue to experiment and push boundaries.

‘In some respects Signals is a more traditional songwriting album than anything we’ve done before, but it draws on the same techniques we’ve used on our previous albums’

After their previous album, the largely beat-less Dead Air, one might think that Marconi Union would be primarily influenced by synth players or guitarists. However, it turns out that Signals was actually informed by the bands’ admiration of a number of different drummers and this played a significant part in helping shape its sound.

‘We were quite inspired by various players like Jaki Liebezeit, Clive Deamer and Tony Allen and tried to imagine what our music would sound like with them playing on it.’

Signals combines synthetic textures with organic sound, and merges the familiar with the unknown, transporting the listener deep into their imagination. The one-word title is both mysterious and evocative, suggesting a multitude of images that range from high-tech electronic messaging to ghostly abandoned radio stations and even that most basic level of human expression, body language.

It Is both ironic and yet somehow so right, that a group so regularly described as ‘enigmatic’ should make an album that alludes to communication. Although, long-term fans will be relieved to note that Marconi Union decline to enlighten us on what all this means.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
Cycles Repeat
The Halo

Side B
Blowback
Strata

Side C
Citizen’s Dream
Breaking Point

Side D
Looking Through The Ilex

Starting with the following year’s Under Wires And Searchlights, they’ve created an explorative body of instrumental work that’s shifted between electronica, dub, minimalism, avant-jazz and ambient music. Along the way they’ve collaborated with the likes of Jah Wobble, remixed Max Richter and Vök and provided soundtracks for art installations and other visual media. They’ve also had their own music remixed by Biosphere and Japan’s Steve Jansen, among others. The new album offers ample evidence of a band in its prime. Marconi Union still sound vital and original, enthused by the possibilities that music has to offer. “We’ve never wanted to repeat ourselves,” states Talbot. “We’ve made ten albums and have been going for 17 years, but it still feels fresh. That’s been so important for us all the way through. We’re looking to do new things all the time” co-founder Richard Talbot says.

Indeed, the exquisite Dead Air bears only a passing resemblance to its 2016 forerunner, Ghost Stations. The trio have dispensed with beats, brass and guest musicians this time around, opting instead for a more intimate and textural approach, a constantly evolving soundworld of tones and sensory impressions. Dead Air also bears little resemblance to the trio’s initial vision for it. “The album we set out to make had far more of a rhythmic element,” explains Talbot, “ but fairly late in the process, we decided to completely change direction.” This is entirely in keeping with Marconi Union’s guiding methodology. Ideas remain fluid throughout the writing process, until Talbot and bandmates Jamie Crossley and Duncan Meadows ultimately settle on what feels right to them.  As such, Dead Air is a sublime testament to their collective instinct.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Marconi Union have been a constant source of pleasure for me here, with their wonderful capability to imbue any sound with all sorts of majestic overtones and euphoric, airy ambience while still retaining a momentum and sense of progression. Lovely stuff.

TRACK LISTING

A.M.I.D.
Mossfield 
Imbalance
Permafrost
Fractured
Dead Air
Burned

Originally released as the single album 'Tokyo' by the German record label Bine in 2009, 'Tokyo' was only made available as a CD in Germany and then only in a very limited number of copies.

When talking about the possibility of re-releasing of Tokyo, Marconi Union saw the opportunity to return to the original material and to explore it further by creating an accompanying four track 'Live Remix EP', to be released together as a double album under the title 'Tokyo +'. Rather than simply remixing the tracks they decided to completely reconfigure them. Taking the original stems they created new loops and parts and combined the samples with live playing, with the addition of their live drummer, Phil Hurst. Each version was largely improvised and has that certain groove which can only really be achieved by the artists all playing live together at the same time.

The Marconi Union sound has quietly whispered its way into the consciousness of those searching out ambient music and following on from the critical success of their most recent album 'Ghost Stations', with this release, their entire catalogue is now available on the Just Music label to their ever growing and loyal number of fans worldwide.