“Marconi Union are amongst today’s most talented musicians” – Sunday Times

In the realms of modern-day late night ambient exploration, Marconi Union often draw comparisons with Brian Eno and Biosphere, perhaps Sigur Ros, but the graceful manner with which their richly melodic compositions unfold and the emotions these evoke sets them apart from their peers. Even Time Magazine recently hailed one of their tracks, Weightless, as “aural bliss”, and placed it at no. 11 in their Top 50 Inventions of 2011. Across five albums, informed as much by jamaican dub as Joy Division, there are streaks of black humour and pools of shimmering beauty revealed in their slow undulating groove. And however bleak things might sometimes sound, there’s always a glimmer of hope, a faint glint on the horizon.

“Marconi Union have steadily released albums of pristine, clinical electronic music over the last decade… continuing to refine their art in minimalist fashion and placing MU firmly in the vanguard of acts making atmospheric, ambient music” Music OMH

Marconi Union’s new album, Different Colours, their sixth, is the first to prominently feature the work of pianist Duncan Meadows, who joined the group initially for live duties and was asked into the fold more permanently in 2010. Playful and brighter, Different Colours is aptly named and finds Marconi Union shifting the focus from cool introspection to a friendlier, dynamic sound pierced in places by electric guitar and hushed vocals. Whether Duncan initiated this fresher outlook or not, on Different Colours Marconi Union have a certain swagger – and it suits them. Though the crumpled qualities of Marconi Union have been smoothed out to a degree by the addition of Duncan on Different Colours, the lasting impression is still one of exquisite world-weariness.

“Melding organic instrumentation with soothing, cinematic ambient electronics, this mysterious outfit are now up to their sixth album Different Colours out on Just Music this month…expect to hear Marconi Union at Cafe Del Mar in Ibiza and other global sunset bars all summer” DJ Magazine

“I think there’s something about the music that you can tell it’s been made by people who’ve been around the block a few times.  We couldn’t have made our records when we were 20,” says Richard,  “One of the great advantages of being older is you get a sense of context about things. You see where things fit in and you don’t get so distracted by momentary stuff”

Six albums in and MU are still making music that is timeless.