Aphex Twin

Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2

BY Daryl KeatingPublished Jan 23, 2015

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It's only been four months since the release of Syro, but Richard D. James returns yet again with another Warp release. This time, however, there will be no moving of bodies, only stroking of chins. Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2 seems like it was birthed in the wee hours — the compositional scribblings of a sleepless man. While mere scribblings from a musical genius can often still trump the best efforts of many, this is not the case here.
 
The EP starts off intriguingly, a little bit film noir perhaps, but still churning out a beat. "diskhat1" then follows suit with an organ and drums hip-hop instrumental, teasing you into a satisfying head bob. Sadly, with the exception of "0035 1-Audio" and "diskhat2" (neither of which are above 40 seconds long), that's about as lively as it gets. Most of the album falls under the label of avant-garde jazz — some of it experimental and way out there — while other parts are coherent enough to sneak into the darker corners of Ninja Tune's back catalogue.
 
Even though Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2 is technically not what you'd expect from Aphex Twin, it's also exactly the type of thing he'd do. An Aphex EP released a few months after one of the biggest albums of 2014 was never going to contain more of the same. Syro may have been for the fans, but this one's for Richard.
(Warp)

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