Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments – PT.2 – CD

Just four months on from “Syro”, Aphex Twin is back with the “Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2” EP, and it’s fair to say the title sums up what this one is all about. Leading on from what he eluded to in interviews, Richard D James has constructed a series of mechanical instruments to perform his compositions, similar to the ‘musical automata’ of Pierre Bastien (who released on James’ own label Rephlex), and which he then controls via his computer.

These contraptions and compositions create heavy grooves that clatter and thump and are interspersed with orphaned loops, pregnant drones and itchy, atmospheric piano breaks, harking back to the quirkier moments of 2001’s “Drukqs” LP. Despite marking an abrupt left turn stylistically from Syro, this is still unmistakably Aphex Twin, and will no doubt be welcomed by hardened fans and newcomers alike.

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