An evolution, a new chapter, an expansion of scope and sonic texture—GCOM’s E2-XO not just fulfills the promise of the earlier GC material but brings it into new galaxies of expression and meaning.
An expansion of scope and sonic texture
It’s not a stretch to say that Global Communication’s 76:14 is a masterpiece of ambient techno. From the icy embrace of the first notes of “4:02” through the Tangerine Dream homage in “7:39” to the epic chorale close-out with “12:18,” it’s an album that serves as a touchpoint for everything in the genre that followed, that still holds up on its own merits, and that, until now, stood alone as the full-length output of Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard’s GC moniker. This time, it’s a solo effort from Middleton and the scope has expanded beyond the surface of our planet and into Galactic Communication.
So it was with a mixture of excitement and trepidation that I dove into the resurrection, or more appropriately, reimagining, of the project with this new GCOM release, cryptically titled E2-XO. And before I go any deeper into this writeup, I’ll dispel any similar fears you may have: though the sound has evolved and there’s a much wider breadth of styles represented, the essential elements that made 76:14 so wonderful and important are on full display.
The concept—and the visual presentation, track titles, and auditory journey are heavy on concept—is about moving to another habitable world beyond our own. Middleton writes, “This is the soundtrack I have imagined for the story of E2 – XO, Earth to Exoplanet. Beyond the singularity, where quantum computing and AI assist mankind in developing the technology to send data gathering M-RAI cube probes to reach exoplanet candidates in neighboring star systems.” The result is a 20 track, 90 minute journey to the outer reaches of human imagination through sound design, field recordings, synthesis, and audio production.
A track-by-track breakdown is not in the spirit of this release, but I do think it’s important to mention the particulars. First, things get intense and noisy—so fans depending on 76:14‘s start-to-finish tranquil smoothness will need to adjust their expectations. After a cinematic opener, the aptly-named “Noctis Ultimis (Epic Mix),” pummeling waves of digital sub-bass, mangled electronics, and lightning-fast glitch cuts come straight for you via “XO Transmission #1 (GCOM x QEBRUS).” This is a collaboration with Thomas Denis (QEBRUS), who tragically passed during the production of the album. According to Middleton, “We had managed to make a few tracks together, some of the collaborations remain unfinished which I hope to revisit in the future with his family’s blessing.” As it is, this and the “XO 4” remix later in the album give a hint at the controlled chaos and uncompromising aesthetic that Denis presented. Other tracks like “XO 2” are beat-driven with a glitchy sensibility, and “XO 4” flirts with old-school jungle and drawn-backwards-thru-the-speakers sound design, so it’s a wild ride.
Blissed-out ambient washes and inner-stellar voyages ::
But for fans here for the blissed-out ambient washes and inner-stellar voyages that Middleton so expertly crafted in the 90s, there is also much to like. The first hint comes early in the album with “Ocean Dreams” that would sit well next to Ultimae Records artists like Solar Fields or Carbon Based Lifeforms, pure bass tones underlying ecstatic flute lines and cavernous reverb washes. “Beyond the Singularity” presents a cosmic symphony of pipe organ and chimes as we presumably break into the next level of galactic consciousness.
But without question, the culmination of the album is its closer, the 14-minute-long “Beyond the Milky Way” that opens with shimmery reverb overtones and delicate sustained chords, and develops over its length into shifting ethereal ambience that elegantly evokes the wonder and beauty of the cosmos that overwhelms the passionate astronomer and moves them to tears. Middleton says, “I’ve been a stargazer since I was a child. Transfixed by the visible shape of the Milky Way in the night sky and its infinite profundity or images of the pale blue dot floating in space we call Earth. Struck with awe, wonder, humility, gratitude and reverence, I have learned this is called the Overview Effect.” The album, summed up by its finale, evokes this effect so powerfully that you can feel it indoors, with your eyes closed.
An evolution, a new chapter, an expansion of scope and sonic texture—GCOM’s E2-XO not just fulfills the promise of the earlier GC material but brings it into new galaxies of expression and meaning. Absolutely essential listening.
E2-XO is available on !K7. [Bandcamp | Website]
