TRANSMISSION

Who are Metatag? That's the question that's been bothering underground electronica fans for a year now. Just who could create electronica that is so calming, so beautiful, so ethereal, so minimalistic, and even sometimes dissonant, while still in a position to be deemed prog? But whoever these two probably-Norwegians are, we at least have their musical footprints to savour with our ears. Listening through this tapestry, it seems clear they take from the likes of Aphex Twin's second ambient album, and a bit from Young Marble Giants, and then a good slice of Tangerine Dream, and so made the unexpected happen. "Day One" and "Peach Trees" are the best tracks, the latter a standout in to a degree ditching the minimalism and going for a dark, martial take on new wave grooves - Bauhaus meets Laibach, perhaps - while still being ethereal. As the album goes on, it becomes harder and harder not to give a big five to it. Excellent listening.