MARCONI UNION - "FRACTURED"

"Dead air hints at some kind of ominous, environmental issue". This observation by Marconi Union co-founder Richard Talbot defines the tension and release formula present on the UK-based trio's newest single. A slow build from a single oscillating tone, "Fractured" incorporates several additive tonal shifts before the track is broken wide open - vocal drones, surging arpeggios and fragmented chords are built upon layer by layer until a single piano note rings through, slowly marshaling all the elements into some sad march into the frozen sea. At 17 years into their career the UK group continues to sound on top of their game.