Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760 is Aphex Twin's most recent high-profile release, one that especially came with a lot of hype due to the tour, ARG, and many leaks that were happening around its release. I think this EP lived up to the hype in some ways but also disappointed in other ways. The undisputable highlights here are the two title tracks. Blackbox Life Recorder 21f is a far more moody take on Richard's modern post-Syro sound, however now with beats really smash ... read more

Barcelona 16.06.23 is the first release Aphex Twin put out in the very eventful year that was 2023. It is another concert exclusive single like London 14.09.2019 and Manchester 20.09.2019. However, while those two were very fun and consistently engaging listens (London 14.09.2019 specifically being my favorite Aphex Twin EP), this release marked a very disappointing comeback after a 4 year long hiatus with. rfc pt8 though is a pretty good track. While it's production is rudimentary at ... read more

This is Aphex Twin's 2nd and last Peel Session held all the way back in 1995. It was officially released in 2019 though to celebrate Warp's 30th anniversary. You probably didn't need this background though as this EP is very emblematic of Richard's sound in 1995. There are 2 previously released tracks here: Radiator (Original Mix) and Pancake Lizard. The former is painfully mediocre, adding a boring dance beat onto a classic Selected Ambient Works Vol. II track. Thankfully, ... read more

Interesting. The tracks on Manchester 20.09.2019 started out as bonus tracks for Orphaned Deejay Selek, presumably being from around the same time as the other stuff on that release. Later, similar to London 14.09.2019, vinyl pressings of these bonus tracks were sold at an Aphex Twin gig, bringing us here. Honestly, I am very glad these were put on their own separate release as Manchester 20.09.2019 gives attention to some hidden gems that are far better than anything on Orphaned Deejay Selek. ... read more

Collapse is one of Aphex Twin's latest high profile releases and one of his most consistently great EPs. Here, Richard experiments further with his ability to completely ignore the concept of song structures and create amazing music just by winging it, fitting as many chaotic switch ups and messy progressions as possible into an EP that is just under 30 minutes long. It also features a new musical aesthetic similar to the modern sound he debuted on Syro but with a LOT more bass. It's ... read more

Korg Trax is a very underrated EP. Of course, it's lack of attention is understandable as a digital only product demo doesn't exactly sound inspiring, but too many people sleep on this release (pun not intended). The 1st 2 tracks continue developing on the sound initially introduced on Syro, but now with a more prominent analogue sheen. Korg Funk 5 is the best track here. It's vibrant, funky, and VERY retro. Korg 1b does a very similar thing but with a comically spookier tone. ... read more

MAN this album is rough. London 03.06.17, or Field Day, can best be summarized as an hour and 40 minutes (including the bonus tracks and sketches) of scrapped demos and ideas that failed to make the Collapse EP. There's a lot of stuff here but plenty of it feels half baked, unfinished, or just mid. Even worse, there are tracks like MT1T1 bedroom microtune, T47 smodge, and T17 Phase out +3 that are excessively ugly and repetitive. Alone, this stuff would make Field Day an annoying listen, ... read more

Cheetah is an EP that's been met with quite a lot of critiques over the years but I disagree with a lot of it. Of course it's easy to get swept up in the hype and immense expectations that comes with any EP released under the Aphex Twin name but this EP has a lot to love about it even if it's not seeking to blow minds. Cheetah slows things down and largely relies on constructing chill soundscapes from the most retro of synth sounds. This atmospheric side shows prominently on the ... read more

This is Aphex Twin's most middle of the road collection of songs. Very few of them are memorable and they offer an inferior version of a sound better done on releases like Syro and Rushup Edge. There are some decent spots on the track list like serge fenix Rendered 2 which is a pretty hype opener even if it sounds like Richard's take on Temporary Secretary. The rest of this EP follows a similar but less complete version of this formula, combining great beats with ugly synths and acid. ... read more

For an EP marketed as the sequel to Drukqs, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 is disappointing. It's focus on stiff and groovy electroacoustic pieces is an interesting diversion from Aphex Twin's usual sound and the opening track is where these ideas are fully realized. Dipped in an ominous atmosphere, Richard fully reveals his hand on this track, showing what the EP has to offer. Sadly, this song is the only one that lives up to the hype. Of course there are other tracks I ... read more

The Caustic Window LP is a long lost album with a great story that must have been a godsend for fans at the end of Aphex Twin's 7 year hiatus. However, now that we have had our own share Aphex Twin material both new and old release in the past decade, the Caustic Window LP can be recognized as merely a mixed bag of odd songs. If there is anything that is still going for it though, it's the fact that it has that lovely early 90s Aphex Twin feel to it which makes the decent tracks ... read more

Syro is Aphex Twin's huge comeback from a 7 year hiatus that marked the beginning of a new era in his career. It is also a fascinating album that is the culmination of a long shift in sound that started with the Analord EPs. This album's sound is a lovely mix of elements both new and old, and it still sounds modern even 10 years later. Almost every track is a journey worthy of being called a highlight and there are a million memorable moments. I could really go on forever talking ... read more

Rushup Edge is a huge improvement over Confederation Trough, although I think it could be better. The highlights here like Synthcanon 9 and Rushup I Bank 12 are amongst Aphex Twin's best. They bring back the frantic drill and bass stylings of Drukqs but with a fresh coat of paint that is modern and incredibly upbeat. Hell, they even have a lot of earwormy melodies. The tracks that surround these highlights are all pretty good too. Besides Last Rushup 10, which is a compilation of somewhat ... read more

The Tuss is an alias of Aphex Twin that is treated like absolute royalty by other fans of Richard. I do honestly see where some of that never-ending praise comes from, but not when it comes to this EP. The opener in Fredugolon 6 is a mixed bag at best with some very nice moments as well as some moments that are very hard to listen to. Alspacka is easily the best track here with a fun blend of a bunch of fun sounds, including some rhythmic breathing (probably recorded by Richard). It's a ... read more

Analord 11 is the last entry in the Analord series and it feels like a small compilation of leftovers from the previous EPs. As a result, the sound is all over the place. W32.Mydoom.AU@mm is my favorite here as it feels like a journey where 3 angsty notes are played on loop over a variety of menacing set pieces. VBS.Redlof.B, the most well known song here, is incredibly hype but that terrible section at the 2:44 mark greatly ruins my enjoyment of it. The Backdoor.Ranky.S tracks meanwhile ... read more

The 1st chronological Analord EP (?) gives us 2 great tracks that are pretty unique in comparison to the rest of the series. I've gotten some flack for my opinion on Fenix Funk 5 despite the fact I really like it. It has some truly beautiful moments but also some uglier parts that I'm not the biggest fan of. XMD 5a is a more consistent and slightly better track. I love this one for all the diverse instrumentation (which is especially unique for an acid techno song) as well as the ... read more

What the heck happened here? Analord 9 is the most consistent EP from the Analord series. It's so consistent actually that each of these songs are almost carbon copies of each other. They all have the same frenzied, chaotic, and downright ugly mixture of fast-paced beats, atonal synths, and substandard mixing. Most of the EP is mediocre as a result, but I will give credit to the percussion for being really effective as well as W32.Aphex@mm for being the track that executes this EP's ... read more

If I could only describe Analord 8 in 1 word, it would be comfy! It's opener is the biggest highlight here, proving that Richard could drop the perfect pop song any time he wants but he just refuses to do so. The melodies here are top-notch and the upbeat energetic vibe is infectious. The rest of the EP is more stripped back and atmospheric. W32.Deadcode.A and Backdoor.Spyboter.A are amazing because of this, offering some very chilled out spaces for one to occupy for a few minutes. ... read more

Lets get the obvious out of the way. HOLY SHIT LISBON ACID. I've never heard a pure acid techno track sound so much like an epic journey. It really entrances you all while providing some of the hardest beats to come off the Analord EPs. It's 1 of my favorite Aphex Twin songs and I'd recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat. Oh, and there's also 2 other tracks here. They don't shine as bright as Lisbon Acid but they both have their own appeal. Pitcard recycles some elements ... read more

MAN I really wanna put this higher because parts of it are amazing! However, other parts are...pretty bad. Batine Acid through I'm Self Employed offer an unforgettable blend of catchy melodies, down to earth vibes, warm synths, and frantic compositions. They are 3 lovely tracks I could replay hundreds of times. Even the bonus tracks are good (especially Bodmin 3 which is just perfect). What brings this EP down for me is Analogue Talks and Analoggins. In contrast to the rest of the EP, they ... read more