APHEX TWIN – COLLAPSE EP – WARP RECORDS

An Aphex Twin release is always an event, and this one even more so as the swirly foliage of the cover has found its way worldwide and onto social media. Happily the fuss is justified, and the density of music matches its artwork perfectly. It is true to say that more happens in the course of an Aphex Twin song than most full-length albums, and with the push-pull beats of the busy ‘T69 collapse’ Richard James unfurls a wide range of quirky loops and beats. Often there are more expansive pad sounds going on behind the texture, giving tracks like ‘pthex’ an expansive appearance, and allowing the listener to zone out a bit while the frenetic electronic activity continues upfront. ‘abundance10edit[2 R8’s, FZ20m & a 909]’ (those catchy names continue!) has an endearing lighter touch along these lines. What really strikes home though is the freedom Aphex Twin enjoys in his music, packing so much in but making it all completely instinctive, his speed of thought represented in his beats and quick-fire melodies. He continues to make music that is mandatory listening for lovers of leftfield electronica.

Ben Hogwood
5 out of 5

Aphex Twin - T69 Collapse