ALBUM REVIEW: Aphex Twin 'Syro'

Rating:

It has finally arrived, the album that has been 13 years in the making. Richard D James, otherwise known as Aphex Twin, imagination has been put into overdrive with this new album. The ‘Windowlicker’ producer sent the dance music world into an ecstatic frenzy when he positioned a blimp bearing the Aphex Twins logo above London and this new album shows that it was all worth the wait.

Since the late eighties Aphex Twin have been enlightening the dance world with their eclectic mix of synthesised and bass heavy tracks. In the modern, EDM dominated, dance music world this new album is a breath of fresh air. Richard has taken a risk by being absent for so long, returning to a music world completely different to the one he left 13 years ago. Their early worked was quite focused on the techno and bass heavy styling and Syro sticks to this theme. Even the album’s artwork contains a list of all the instruments used in each track.

The names on the track are cryptic with names such as “XMAS_EVE10 [120] [thanaton3 mix].” What is most definitive about the album is how out of sync it is with the mainstream that is currently being forced down people’s throats. Aphex Twin have never been one to dabble in the mainstream, avoiding the rave and jungle music boom during the 90’s. Although it is possible to dance to this album, it’s so much better to sit and become lost and entranced in its brilliance and surrealism. A highly recommended album and a superb comeback for Aphex Twin.

Oliver Hope