If youre familiar with the works of Richard D. James, youll know that the mans a bit of an oddball in fact, hes quite possibly one of the most eccentric minds of this generation. In his adolescence, James dabbled in software coding and modifying electronic equipment as a hobby, and began creating music with his array of modified samplers, synthesisers and tape machines at the age of 12. By the time he was 14, James had startedutilising his modified machines and 8-bit computers to record a unique form ofmusic that fusedpounding technorhythms, soaring synth pads, pulsating sequences of ambient noise and reverb-heavysamplesfrom an array of films to create hisbeloved debut LP:Selected Ambient Works 85-92.

Aphex Twin proved that electronic music wasnt just music for nightclubs. Perhaps it could have soul, and stimulate unique discussion. Maybe it could invoke feelings in people without all the negative, drugged-up connotations it was associated with. Maybe it was even the sound of the future after all.

A nauseoussonic odyssey that fuses James digitally processed vocals with wonky drum rhythms, rolling snares,a deceptively simple synthesiserchord progression and oddball samples before concludingin an ecstatic wall of distortion, its difficult to place a finger on whats just so special about Windowlicker.

Some elements of the track sound incredibly organic and warm, while other parts simply sound cold and sterile a contrast which seems to be a recurring theme throughout Aphex Twins music. Its almost as if an alien from outer space was explained the fundamentals of manmade music and then created an electronic trackwithout ever listening to one prior.

In a nutshell,Windowlicker essentially packages everything great about Aphex Twins output from the 90s into one track, and its impact was instant. In the year of its release, NME crowned Windowlicker as the best single of 1999, and Pitchfork later ranked it above the likes of Nirvanas Smells Like Teen Spirit in its Top 200 Tracks Of The 90s, while the song peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Charts. (via Mixdown)

Label: Warp Records
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
Country: UK
Released: Dec 2023 / Original Release: 1999
Genre: Electronic
Style: Abstract, Electro, Experimental, IDM, Glitch, Breakbeat

File under: Electronic / Leftfield