As âSyroâ begins, a groaning, distorted voice rises out through a sea of plinking analog synths. It utters nothing comprehensible, babbling just underneath an organ-esque wall of bass. Then, as quick as it came, the keys fade out â the voice, silenced. However, this trek through electronic surrealism has only just begun. This new offering from electronic artist Aphex Twin boasts a collection of perplexing, vibrant soundscapes, and while âSyroâ will surely act as an engrossing musical venture, it also proves to be something far more: It is the restoration of a genre icon through sheer brilliance in composition.
Aphex Twin is the stage name of Richard D. James, an England-based electronic artist and electronic music pioneer. The musician has been hailed as one of the forefathers of IDM, or intelligent dance music, a genre that encourages compositional precision and experimental instrumentation to craft elegant, complex soundscapes. This mentality is at the forefront of âSyro,â Jamesâ first release since his 2001 release, âDrukqs,â with each of the albumâs tracks nuanced and structurally confounding.
One of the albumâs stronger songs, âsyro u473t8+e (piezoluminescence mix)â is perhaps the most telling example of Jamesâ skill. He toys with tempo and time signature, all the while manipulating an array of sounds into bizarre yet deliberate riffs and rhythms. These moments of structure are valuable: They provide form to an album that frequently flirts with the realm of sonic chaos.
Itâs those hectic moments that make up a good part of the entire album. Theyâre violent, jarring and relentlessly energetic, and while some of âSyroâsâ musical obscurities may put off listeners, there is no denying the musical craft involved in each track. âPAPAT4 [155][pineal mix]â and âs950tx16wasr10 (earth portal mix)â both offer up erratic arrays of drums and synths, and yet they remain comprehensible, gaining character from their chaotic nature rather than losing clarity.
Itâs no surprise âSyroâ tackles these bizarre musical moments with such finesse. The Aphex Twin monicker has consistently been one synonymous with progression, with publications like The Guardian dubbing James a âmaverickâ in his realm. In this respect, James is reprising a role in the genre with âSyro,â one he had earned but since relinquished during his lengthy, 13-year absence. This return to greatness is embodied in the 12 tracks that make up the album and solidify what few listeners will be able to ignore: Aphex Twin has returned, as sharp and pioneering as ever.