Aphex Twin – Syro //
Aphex Twin makes his return on Warp with his new album Syro. This is Richard D. James’ first Aphex Twin album since 2001’s Drukqs.
Have an opinion on the new Aphex Twin album? Leave your own quick review in the comments below for a chance to win two tickets to one of the following shows in SF this weekend:
- Hercules and Love Affair (Live) + Tensnake this Friday 9/26 at Mezzanine
- The Orwells this Saturday 9/27 at Slim’s
- Simian Mobile Disco this Saturday 9/27 at Mezzanine
The author of our favorite quick review will win a pair of tickets to their choice of show, and will be notified on Thursday, September 25th. Read the BAM Team’s reviews of Aphex Twin’s latest below, and contact us if you’re interested in writing for Showbams.
Stream or Buy Aphex Twin’s Syro.
BAM TEAM META-RANKING:
THE ULTIMATE ANTITHESIS OF THE CURRENT EDM SCENE
Richard D. James has been practically an enigma for the last decade, hiding out in a small Scottish village of 300 and releasing no new music as Aphex Twin since 2006. But the long layoff hasn’t changed the fact that he remains one of the most unique and influential electronic producers in the game today. Serving as his first Aphex Twin record in nearly 13 years, the 12-track, 64-minute Syro shows the 43-year-old UK native reintroducing his signature, ambient-leaning sound that many IDM fans gravitated to in the early 90’s. Some of James’ best material on Syro comes early on, from his club-oriented mixes like “minipops 67 [120.2]” to the techno funk he crafts on the ensuing “XMAS_EVET10 [120]” and “produk 29 [101].” Still, these aren’t beats designed to make you sweat your ass off — if anything, the cerebral nature of James’ work makes him the ultimate antithesis of the current EDM scene. -Josh Herwitt
4.5 BAMS // Top Song: produk 29 [101]
WHAT A GEM!
After so long away, it’s a joy to have another Aphex Twin album that exceeds my high expectations. Using many of the same tricks that he’s always had in his bag, James still manages to make the album sound fresh. The bleeps, bloops, tweaks, and pops make an hour go by quickly. Hopefully he puts together a tour focusing on this new material. -Steven Wandrey
4.5 BAMS // Top Song: XMAS_EVET10 [120] (thanaton3 mix)
THE FUTURE OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC?
Upon first hitting play, hearing Syro almost felt like a highly evolved alien language — you could tell the orchestration was sophisticated and purposeful as intricate melodies bounced around a cacophony of techno, break beats and drum & bass. But with subsequent listens, the patterns and emotive complexity begins to reveal itself. Similarly, song titles look as though Richard D. James’ cat walked across his keyboard, but the non-linear coded names suitably reflect the amalgamation of wide-ranging electronic elements. Propulsive and unpredictable yet somehow familiar, this album is an insane, rewarding journey that succeeds based on the master craftsmanship of taking all the the individual parts to make a Frankenstein that you want to dance, party and reflect with. Let’s hope this is the future of electronic music. -Mike Frash
4 BAMS // Top Song: CIRCLONT6A [141.98] (syrobonkus mix)
EQUALLY AMBIENT AND INFECTIOUS
It’s a challenging album to listen to, which is both good and bad. If you’re not already a fan of electronic music, this may not be a great primer, but it does have some tasty tracks. Equally ambient and infectious. -Andrew Pohl
3.5 BAMS // Top Song: 4 bit 9d api+e+6 [126.26]
TYPICAL AWESTRUCK COMPOSITIONS
For his first album in 13 years, Richard D. James didn’t try to outdo himself. He simply played to his strengths and created a comfortable record that picks right back up where he left off. Syro sucks you in with his typical awestruck compositions and reveals the fact that James is now a veteran of his craft, like a grandfather of drum n’ bass telling timeless stories through his music. -Anthony Presti
3.5 BAMS // Top Song: 180db_ [130]
WIN 2 FREE SHOW TICKETS BY SHARING YOUR OWN QUICK REVIEW:
Leave your own quick review below as a comment. Write no more than five sentences, give your own BAM Ranking and pick your top song. If you’d like to win two tickets to one of these shows, simply write the name of the show you’d like to win under your review.
• Hercules and Love Affair (Live) + Tensnake this Friday 9/26 at Mezzanine
• The Orwells this Saturday 9/27 at Slim’s
• Simian Mobile Disco this Saturday 9/27 at Mezzanine
I’d love to go to the Hercules and Love Affair (Live) + Tensnake this Friday 9/26 at Mezzanine.
Most of the tracks have a sound that’s experimental techno with blunted bass synths, complex rhythms and some light piano keys in the mix and I’m thinking some weird vocal sample coming in at the and an atmospheric background to stay true to that classic eerie Aphex Twin feel. Lots of break beats on this project as well. Very layered, great track progression, amazing composition and odd sounds.