“Receiver” investigates the critical role of sound alerts as the first step in conveying timely warnings during emergencies, where seconds can mean the difference between safety and harm. The project examines the notion of "failure" within communication infrastructures, focusing on the gaps between technological design intentions and real-world performance. Receiver challenges conventional perceptions of emergency warning systems by reframing failure as an opportunity for critical reflection. The work situates these concerns within the broader context of technological over-reliance, political control, and societal expectations, offering a nuanced exploration of how infrastructure mediates human experience in unpredictable, high-stakes scenarios. Through its soundscape, Receiver compels listeners to confront the fragility of communication systems, the gaps in our preparedness, and the deeper emotional resonance of sound as a medium for urgency, reflection, and action. The inspiration for Receiver draws from both personal and global experiences of systemic failures during crises. When training for emergency situations, we often treat them as simulations, with chaos serving as a rehearsal for real-life responses. Living near a nuclear power plant, I encountered an emergency situation in 2011 signalling a potential chemical or nuclear accident. Typically, more detailed information would follow shortly on television or radio. However, in this case, no follow-up communication from government authorities or local councils came for several hours. This breakdown left the public in confusion, unable to respond effectively as phone lines became overwhelmed and critical information was not shared1. Ultimately, a false alarm revealed significant flaws in the warning system. This personal narrative reflects broader systemic failings, such as the Valencia region floods2,3, where meteorological warnings were issued, but safety alerts were delayed until after the disaster had unfolded. Both instances highlight the fragility of communication systems during emergencies, emphasizing how delays, mismanagement, or failures in infrastructure can amplify the risks to public safety. By addressing these events, Receiver highlights the fragility of emergency alert systems, the chaos they often engender, and the human vulnerability inherent in relying on flawed infrastructures. It seeks to reimagine sound alerts not merely as utilitarian tools but as potent carriers of meaning, evoking urgency and fragility in equal measure.