Aqueous Transmission

The last piece of Morning View, "Aqueous Transmission", feels like an invitation to let go. Imagine floating down a river, and that's the atmosphere the song manages to create. To build that feeling, they mixed sounds that transport you: the delicate timbre of the shakuhachi, which are like melodic whispers, intertwines with the strings floating in the background. Added to this is the sound of the Chinese pipa, an instrument that brings a distinct and enveloping texture, all surrounded by ambient effects that completely immerse you.

This album, Morning View, released in 2001, marked a turning point for Incubus, moving away from nu-metal sounds to explore a wider range of alternative rock, from the softer to the more powerful. It was the last record in which bassist Alex Katunich participated, who left the band in 2003. The album spawned well-known singles like Wish You Were Here and Nice to Know You, and became the band's best-selling to date. A re-recorded version, Morning View XXIII, appeared in 2024, adding bassist Nicole Row. The band, formed in 1991 in Calabasas, California, was already exploring its own sound, mixing influences ranging from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Faith No More, seeking a more ethereal and psychedelic path. Over time, they added Chris Kilmore in 1998, contributing electronic textures that became key to their identity.