Blackbox Life Recorder 21f/In a Room7 F760

Description

"Blackbox Life Recorder 21f", the lead track from a new EP on Warp, is Aphex Twin's first release since 2018 and, relief, he’s back on top form. Its slippery, almost stuttering beat and flashes of breakbeat fit perfectly into mid-2023, though in a typically Aphexian way. The rhythm never stops, like an amusement park ride that turns your head upside down. It's laden with a melancholic melody, the kind of mood that encompasses mystery, sadness, and beauty in just a few notes. The editing is breathtaking. Yet, it also feels familiar, ebbing and flowing with almost professional efficiency, never breaking down as one might expect. Ageless photos aside, maybe Aphex Twin is finally slowing down again. But probably not. "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" is just a welcome detour on a scenic route.