RedazioneThe debut album Transmissions by 212°, a collaboration between Tim Gardner of Thirst And The Cow and Marc Pelath of The Laconic, marks an extraordinary entry into the world of ambient, experimental, and electronic music. Released on December 1st, 2024, the album weaves a sonic journey through space and time, drawing on influences from avant-garde icons such as King Crimson, Brian Eno, and Aphex Twin. With its ethereal atmosphere and captivating soundscapes, Transmissions introduces listeners to an immersive tale of first contact, encapsulated through a seamless blend of composed improvisations and ambient textures.
From the outset, Transmissions grips the listener with its atmospheric depth. Opening track “To the Cirrocumulus” sets the tone with sweeping synth pads and gentle guitar strums, creating a vast, almost weightless feel. The addition of Tim Gardner’s U8 touch guitar offers a tactile, almost tactile warmth to the space, while Marc Pelath’s synth work elevates the experience, infusing the composition with an experimental edge. The rhythm of the track is subtly present, with low, rumbling undertones and delicate percussion that serve more to establish mood than to drive momentum.
As the album progresses, the rhythmic complexity becomes more pronounced. In “Atmospheric Storm” and “Signals Near Jupiter,” a more structured but still fluid rhythm emerges, drawing inspiration from experimental minimalism. The basslines, although not overpowering, are deep and resonant, providing a grounding force amid the shifting sonic layers. In “Solar Waves,” a rhythmic pulse accompanies the cascading synths, reminiscent of Steve Reich’s repetitive structures, while still retaining an improvisational element that gives the track an organic feel.
One of the album’s standout features is the U8 touch guitar, which is featured prominently throughout. Gardner’s mastery of the instrument is evident in tracks like “Suspended Animation” and “Adrift,” where the guitar seems to float between melodic and percussive roles. The rich, tactile quality of the touch guitar blends effortlessly with the atmospheric pads and reverberating synths, creating a sense of intimacy even as the album explores vast, cosmic themes.
While rhythm and bass play a crucial role, Transmissions is primarily defined by its textural and ambient qualities. In tracks such as “Strange Awakening” and “Ghost Ship Arrival,” there is an almost cinematic quality to the sound, reminiscent of John Carpenter’s evocative scores for science fiction films. The textures created by layered guitars, synths, and atmospheric effects are rich and multifaceted, invoking the sensation of drifting through the infinite void of space. The tension between the tranquil and the unsettling permeates the album, providing an emotional depth that resonates throughout.
The final tracks, “System Failure” and “Debris Trails,” create a sense of closure while maintaining the abstract, dreamlike qualities of the earlier pieces. The sparse, glitchy percussion and subtle synth swells hint at a fractured, post-contact reality, bringing the narrative full circle.
In conclusion, Transmissions is a highly engaging and successful debut from 212°, blending ambient music with experimental improvisation in a way that feels both familiar and novel. The collaboration between Gardner and Pelath results in an album that is deeply atmospheric yet sonically adventurous, with a rhythmic pulse that supports the narrative without ever dominating it. With its nod to classic influences and its forward-thinking experimentation, Transmissions is a standout release that we are thrilled to feature on our webzine. The album invites listeners on a sonic exploration of the unknown, and it is a journey well worth taking.
