Top 50 Favorite Aphex Twin Songs
50 of my favorite songs by Richard D. James including the various pseudonyms he has released material under. I decided not to include anything off of the new CCAI pt.2 release as it is still a relatively fresh release. Also included are a few interesting covers I came across while looking for links to the songs. And you? What's your favorite Aphex Twin song(s)? |
| 50 |  | AFX
Analogue Bubblebath III
.215061.
Proof that the horrible track names are by no means a recent phenomenon. While this
song is probably more along the lines of the more conventional electronic music of its
time it's still very enjoyable.
.215061: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyE743odOPY |
| 49 |  | AFX
Analogue Bubblebath Vol. 2
Digeridoo.
A classic. Turnt up aboriginal dance music at breakneck BPM.
Digeridoo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5UBYOv1G9A |
| 48 | | AFX
Temporarily Operational Soundcloud Account Vol.1
T13 quadraverb.
Not long after Syro came out James did an extensive interview which covered
everything from fatherhood to conspiracy theories, but mainly focused on musical
equipment. In order to give the reader an idea of what the endless list of equipment
sounded like he opened up a soundcloud account giving a bunch of accompanying
clips. Most were just clips illustrating function, but a few gems were thrown in as well
like "T08+4", "system700 comp" and my personal favorite, "T13 quadraverb". He also
gave out upwards of 30 or so Modular Tracks if you were really about that
experimental stuff (but even I could"t handle that shit).
T13 quadraverb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixe50ZppakI |
| 47 | | Polygon Window
Surfing On Sine Waves (Reissue)
Untitled
A track you could almost see having made its way on SAW II. Has a really cool,
almost alien atmosphere to it.
Untitled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tUYEQEg4vo |
| 46 |  | AFX
Hangable Auto Bulb
Laughable Butane Bob
It's Bob. He's no Alberto, that much is sure, but he can be pretty damn fun to listen to
from time to time and provides a insight into what other kind of madness awaits in
future releases.
Laughable Butane Bob: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFNIW2jof7E |
| 45 |  | Aphex Twin
On
On.
This really is kind of Aphex-lite here. But that doesn't prevent it from being a cool
song. It's also, as far as I know anyways, his first ever music video. It also may
feature one of the first recorded instances of James being a bit of a dick and playing a
joke on the listener. Whether intentional or not the voice @ 1:19 has gotten me to
take off my headphones and look to see if someone was calling for me on occassion.
On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-US91WU8zA |
| 44 |  | AFX
Analord 07
AFX Acid 04.
One of my favorites from the Analord series, I particularly love the way the synths
bubble up to the surface at the beginning of the song.
AFX Acid 04: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfS-nGs3elM |
| 43 |  | The Tuss
Rushup Edge
Death Fuck Mental Beats.
Pretty self-descriptive title here folks.
Death Fuck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh0XA7wSuhI |
| 42 | | Mike & Rich
Expert Knob Twiddlers
The Sound of Beady Eyes.
The god Mike Paradinas, more commonly known as u-ziq, deserves the lion's share of
credit here for turning this song into something really cool and interesting. Mike &
Rich's "Expert Knob Twiddlers" is a quirky little collaboration between the two, and
while certainly worth a listen and pretty damn enjoyable given your mood, most of it
doesn?t seem to feature a load of effort from either guy. Except on this where you get
the feeling that Mike was like "Alright, enough fucking around. Move Rick, I gotta use
that real quick" *cracks knuckles*. Or at least that's how the story plays out in my
mind.
The Sound of Beady Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPsWHXzC044 |
| 41 |  | Aphex Twin
Xylem Tube
Polynomial C.
Some old stuff here, which apparently came out around the time that SAW 85-95 did.
It's a faster paced song that builds until the drums kick in with a soaring synth line
fluctuating in and out.
Polynomial C: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeAOp9B7OSU |
| 40 | | Polygon Window
Surfing On Sine Waves (Reissue)
If It Really Is Me.
As someone mentioned in the comments section of the following video the piano used
here may evoke memories of the theme from a shitty soap opera you may have heard
of back in the day called [i]The Young And The Restless[/i]. I'll let you judge for
yourself. Not gonna lie though, when I pulled up the video of the theme from the
show shit got kinda emotional. RIP Grandma.
This jam's for you.
If It Really Is Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKVlH4h4sWc
Y&R theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRWWWWrVPAU |
| 39 | | The Tuss
Rushup Edge
Rushup I Bank 12.
The labor-intensive nature and attention to detail that must go into crafting a song
like this must be pretty staggering. The Rush Up Edge is Syro's predecessor in this
respect, and while not as complete an offering as Syro turned out to be it does have
its moments of sheer brilliance. One of which can be heard here.
Rushup I Bank 12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBwUJMZNOgQ
Here's footage of some guy going in hard on the drums over it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdI1HfooeIA |
| 38 |  | AFX
Analord 08
PWSteal.Ldpinch.d.
As infectious as its name suggests, a collection upbeat synths fluctuate about a
chugging beat.
PWSteal.Ldpinch.d: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycbIvd80NAI |
| 37 |  | Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Ageispolis.
Simple yet satisfying with some nice bass and swelling synths.
Ageispolis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw7TY-zPaas |
| 36 | | Aphex Twin
Peel Sessions
Slo Bird Whistle[peel Sesh].
This is an odd one that I nearly forget about as it was never remastered and released
officially. Birds can be heard chirping in the background of what sounds like the
soundtrack to some sort of 8-bit adventure game that never saw the light of day.
Having just wrote that I totally understand why it probably wasn?t released now. Still
though, despite being a bit cheesy its rich with nostalgia and uplifting.
Untitled #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=657_byfQfn4 |
| 35 |  | Aphex Twin
Drukqs
beskhu3epnm.
An eerie recording that makes the listener feel as though they're positioned inside of the piano
itself. It starts off harmless enough but takes a sudden, sinister turn.
beskhu3epnm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUz8NvXZizE |
| 34 | | Polygon Window
Surfing On Sine Waves (Reissue)
Portreath Harbour.
A tranquil, albeit somewhat repetitive, groove that's easy to get lost in. In certain
respects Surfing On Sine Waves, while not collectively as good as, is still in the spirit
of SAW 85-92.
Portreath Harbour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcE6Qh6MvPE |
| 33 | | Aphex Twin
Drukqs
cock/Ver10.
Zipping along at a violent rate to the sound of hurried snares and squelching synths
the song finally takes a brief rest before exploding into something short-lived and
tumultuous, eventually winding itself back down.
cock/Ver10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M8sIzLNVT0 |
| 32 | | Aphex Twin
Drukqs
Kesson dalef.
One of a handful of short, and brilliant, piano pieces that are scattered about drukqs.
Kesson dalef: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLBZR42vw8M
Nice piano cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovk-5c0GFFM |
| 31 |  | Aphex Twin
...I Care Because You Do
Mookid.
I can't really articulate why I like this one. I just do.
Mookid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssHlORri9V4
And here?s a cool guitar cover of it by the same guy who did Xtal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wACOCIaYSPc |
| 30 |  | Aphex Twin
Syro
Minipops 67 (Source Field Mix).
The leading single off of Syro. It?s lively, catchy and enjoyable. It's also full of
indecipherable voices that serve as an excellent means for an audio rorschach test.
Minipops 67 (Source Field Mix): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH5jcRK0jhs |
| 29 | | Aphex Twin
Syro
MARCHROMT30A edit 2b 96 [104.98].
If you own a copy of SYRO and are scratching your head right now that's because this
song was only included as a bonus track on the Japanese version. Or your head
itches. In any case the track is really chill and could easily have replaced a few other
tracks on the official release but was instead relegated to bonus track status. Japan
wins.
MARCHROMT30A edit 2b 96 [104.98]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1fQJN5x_4z8 |
| 28 |  | Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works, Vol. II
Tree.
Tree is magical. It's like standing on an alien planet while being bathed repeatedly in
the gamma rays of a rotating pulsar star. Instead of having every fiber of your being
torn to bits even at the subatomic level, however, you get to bask in its
awesomeness.
Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATzlzPLMUhc |
| 27 |  | Aphex Twin
Richard D. James Album
Logan Rock Witch.
I don't know what the hell is going on exactly with the arrangement here. Slide
whistles? mouth harps? pipe organs? wooden blocks and stuff maybe? Whatever type
of mischief he?s working here, I enjoy it.
Logan Rock Witch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgD5s82P2Jk
Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEwh0Cqjdqs&list=PLib0-
87rAcA1X4m4naqoofhIR49Bli1SO&index=2 |
| 26 |  | Aphex Twin
Come to Daddy
Come To Daddy.
Abrasive, loud, and evil sounding with the perfect visual accompaniment provided
by director Chris Cunningham (also responsible for the infamous windowlicker video).
Come To Daddy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-9UvrLyj3k |
| 25 |  | Aphex Twin
Analord 10
Fenix Funk 5.
While people can't really be blamed for saying that Aphex Twin up and vanished for
13 years, the truth is that Richard wasn't dormant at all. Alongside a couple releases
under the pseudonym The Tuss, he also put extensive work into his multi-volumed
Analord series, in which all sorts of different and vintage analogue equipment was
utilized possibly due just to meeting the interesting challenge it posed, or maybe to
harvest sounds he felt he couldn't otherwise simply using a computer. Fenix Funk 5
represents one of the series more impressive feats in sound.
Fenix Funk 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cX7iGM9y0 |
| 24 | | Aphex Twin
Come to Daddy
Bucephalus Bouncing Ball.
Although windowlicker is more enjoyable on the whole, hearing some sort of buoyant,
gigantic metal ball violently bounce to a halt is one of the coolest moments I've
experienced through music.
Bucephalus Bouncing Ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQdhzQkddCc |
| 23 | | Aphex Twin
Syro
Syro u473t8+e (Piezoluminescence Mix).
Maybe not the most highly heralded track among fans of Syro, this song took some
warming up to at first until ultimately it blossomed into a intricately weaved, synth
gurgling, funk drenched jam.
Video Unavailable |
| 22 | | Aphex Twin
...I Care Because You Do
Icct Hedral.
Another one of his more foreboding pieces that even resulted in a classical reworking
by none other than Phillip Glass. It's the most grim sounding work on ICBYD and it's
only appropriate that it would precede the abrasive ass Ventolin.
Icct Hedral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1BheMPKiPo
Phillip Glass Orchestral Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I13uVL681oo |
| 21 |  | Aphex Twin
Windowlicker
Nannou.
Before his robots arrived James had already been tinkering around with making songs
revolving around everyday objects and physical phenomenon. Although synthesized
without the real thing, here a choir of snow globes can be heard being twisted,
shaken and left to revolve, unfurling in song.
Nannou: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Pkx37kYf4
Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZDIrKe6z7s |
| 20 | | Aphex Twin
Drukqs
meltphace 6.
Track title sums song up nicely.
meltphace 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4behT4kMx4 |
| 19 | | Aphex Twin
Come to Daddy
To Cure A Weakling Child (Contour Regard).
James bests his previous version of the song from the RDJ album. A song which was
pretty damn good to begin with.
To Cure A Weakling Child (Contour Regard): https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=n3HjjOs7p5s |
| 18 | | Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works, Vol. II
Windowsill.
Jungle acid? No. More like taking the point and maneuvering your fellow soldiers
through the jungles of Vietnam. On acid.
Windowsill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5Zsn6tJ2MY |
| 17 | | Aphex Twin
Come to Daddy
Flim.
In the same vein as IZ-US, flim is a brief and beautiful break from an EP that was
otherwise batshit crazy.
Flim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiZEto2j2GQ |
| 16 |  | Nine Inch Nails
Further Down The Spiral [US]
At The Heart of It All.
I believe that this was my first time ever hearing Aphex Twin, and I did so
unknowingly. The sound towers over and systematically crushes whatever stands
below eventually erupting in electrically flares being shot into the stratosphere. I
always assumed it was Reznor, but in retrospect it?s as clear as day who made this.
You can also here James' elevator-to-hell music cut in during "The Beauty of Being
Numb".
At The Heart of It All: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixA_fC-cLzQ |
| 15 | | Aphex Twin
Drukqs
Jynweythek.
The incredible opening to the album featuring some of his best piano work ever on an
album the Rolling Stone gave a 2 out of 10.
Jynweythek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7pzBtRLED8
Piano cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uElzam_zmFI |
| 14 | | Aphex Twin
Syro
XMAS_EVET10 (Thanaton3 Mix).
Ten minutes of electronic bliss which in some ways seems like a calling back to his
earlier work, SAW 85-92.
Video Unavailable |
| 13 | | Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Xtal.
The hypnotic introduction to the album that introduced the world to a promising,
young talent whose eventual rise to preeminence would redefine the musical
landscape for years to come. It's impressive to think that some of his work here was
purportedly created when he was just 14 years old.
Xtal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0q1gCsZykg
Awesome Guitar cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqP6ncmKYeQ |
| 12 |  | AFX
Analord 11
W32.Mydoom.AU@mm.
The more nefarious side. The unsettling cover art (which I'm not a fan of) probably
makes this song a lot darker for me than it otherwise would be. It opens on a sinister
note and features a sinister sounding synth that gnaws slowly at the listener.
Eventually the bad vibes partially give way to something a little more danceable, but
just when you think they have gone into slumber they resurface once again. An
awesome song, but one I try not to make a habit of listening to too much.
W32.Mydoom.AU@mm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuMj6ioMflY |
| 11 | | Aphex Twin
Richard D. James Album
4.
The opening of the RDJ album. Signature bursts of rapid fire percussion, whirling
strings and an innocent melody brought about by peculiar sounding synths.
4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iiK4MgIPtI
Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZfr_kHkuqk |
| 10 | | Aphex Twin
Drukqs
Vordhosbn.
An early indicator of what kind of strange, dark things await the listener on drukqs.
Vordhosbn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYrQC-jWMFM |
| 9 | | Aphex Twin
Come to Daddy
IZ-US.
Just a calming melody floating in a sea of snares. Relatively simple but still beautiful.
IZ-US: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLHtV_S2HZw
Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-6vrgAU2pk |
| 8 | | Aphex Twin
Syro
CIRCLONT6A (Syrobonkus Mix).
Syro is a colossal. With repeat listens you can really hear synths oozing through its
stratum and the impact of drums ricocheting off of and echoing throughout its
cavernous depths. Changes both apparent and subtle persist throughout almost every
song and CIRCLONT6A serves as a premier example of these dynamics.
Video Unavailable |
| 7 | | The Tuss
Rushup Edge
Synthacon 9.
Perhaps the most under-appreciated development in more recent years is James'
ability to bring the funk. Synthacon 9 is a complete masterclass and an example of
why he's different from the rest. Where most mortals would feel overwhelmed
standing in front of such equipment or trying their hand at such convoluted song
structure, James tames that shit like some kind of wild stallion with electricity
coursing through its veins and rides that bitch onto the battlefield towards victory.
Synthacon 9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0YyBp8ZyeE |
| 6 | | Aphex Twin
Richard D. James Album
Girl/Boy Song.
A frenetic, joyous explosion of drums, strings and xylophones with not a hint of
darkness anywhere in sight.
Girl/Boy Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX562jnoRo0
Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga8iGWXbEOA |
| 5 | | Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works, Vol. II
Rhubarb.
SAW II is one of the greatest examples of how seemingly simple structure and
repetition can result in an artist's most elegant work. Rhubarb is an enchanting,
soothing example of just that.
Rhubarb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AWIqXzvX-U
Orchestrated Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcBVSsmxT04 |
| 4 | | Aphex Twin
Windowlicker
Windowlicker.
One of those "holy shit" moments and perhaps his most popular song to date in an
expansive career. The now notorious video only facilitated in capturing the attention,
and often disgust, of the public.
Windowlicker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBS4Gi1y_nc
Drum Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnL592i3tpk |
| 3 | | Aphex Twin
Richard D. James Album
Fingerbib.
The Richard D. James album, along with the accompanying Girl/Boy EP, seem to have
a strong connection to childhood and namely to the dead brother who both James,
and the album, are named after. Fingerbib is an incredibly optimistic, and na?ve
sounding melody that illustrates the joy and sense of wonder found in childhood.
Fingerbib: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfmaALfxVGM |
| 2 | | Aphex Twin
...I Care Because You Do
Alberto Balsalm.
This shouldn't come as a surprise. As with #1 this song too has an eerie, dreamlike
quality that James somehow managed to capture and record before it became a
fleeting memory
Alberto Balsalm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUT3KoxVzQg
Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XlTjeNHv-8 |
| 1 |  | Aphex Twin
Donkey Rhubarb
Pancake Lizard.
An elusive reptile crawling along at a leisurely pace through a surreal landscape full of
strings and otherworldly sounds. Love the critter.
Pancake Lizard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoIOF-tsp0s |
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