[Column] Aphex Twin's philosophical view of music: coexistence of order and disorder
Column en Experimental Techno![[Column] Aphex Twin's philosophical view of music: coexistence of order and disorder](/../assets/images/column-aphex-twin.webp)
Why is his sound “incomprehensible but beautiful”?
Text: mmr｜Theme: Aphex Twin’s philosophical view of music that embodies the coexistence of order and disorder in electronic music
Music usually has a ““conductor of understanding.’’ Melody, rhythm, development—these guide the listener. However, in Aphex Twin’s music, this line of conductor is intentionally severed.
Beats disintegrate, melodies are fragmented, and the placement of notes is unpredictable. Even so, the listener can still feel the “beauty” in it. Where does this phenomenon come from?
His works directly affect “perception” rather than understanding. The sound itself is structured so that it reaches the body and emotions before the brain can give it meaning. This is a more primitive and intuitive musical experience, different from the harmonic beauty of classical music or the hooks of pop music.
More importantly, the disorder is not completely random. There is always an internal structure to his sound. Behind what appears to be chaos, there is an extremely precise design. This “invisible order” gives the listener a unique sense of security and discomfort at the same time.
In other words, his music is not ““incomprehensible,” it’s just ““a different way of understanding it.”
People feel beauty not because they cannot understand something, but when their way of understanding is updated.
People and anonymity
Richard D. James, also known as Aphex Twin, was born in 1971 in Cornwall, southwest England. It is said that he had a strong interest in electronic devices from an early age, and used to generate sounds using self-made and modified equipment.
"”Information disruption’’ is essential when talking about his career. In interviews, he intentionally mixes truth and fiction. For example, statements such as robbing a bank as a child, owning a military tank, or composing music in a dream cannot be determined to be true.
However, the important thing is not whether it is a lie or true. He is dismantling the ““actual image of an artist”’ itself. In other words, it is a strategy that obscures the relationship between the work and the personality and sways the listener”s interpretation.
Also, his face often appears in distorted forms in his works. This is not only a self-expression, but also a “symbolization of the individual.” By transforming the face, which is the most identifying information, the very question of “who you are” is invalidated.
This anonymity is also a device for focusing on the music itself.
By making the individual vague, only the work remains pure.
Masterpieces and evolution of sound
Aphex Twin’s career coincides with the evolution of electronic music itself.
First is Selected Ambient Works 85–92, which is one of his early masterpieces. This piece is composed of a simple drum machine and floating synth sounds. Emphasis was placed on “space” and “emotion” rather than complexity, and it determined the direction of later ambient techno.
The subsequent Selected Ambient Works Volume II progresses to even more extreme abstraction. The rhythm almost disappears, and a drone-like sound spreads. This work greatly expanded the possibilities of electronic music as environmental music.
In the late 1990s, he moved in a more aggressive and experimental direction. In particular, ““Windowlicker’’ was widely known for its strange visuals, blurring the boundaries between pop and avant-garde.
and Drukqs in 2001. In this album, ultra-fast and complex drum programming coexists with tranquil piano music. It is here that his aesthetic - the coexistence of chaos and order - is most clearly manifested.
2014’s Syro integrates elements from the past and elevates them to a more sophisticated sound.
His work is not an evolution, but a series of movements to different dimensions.
Reinventing rhythm
Rhythm is at the heart of Aphex Twin’s innovation.
In club music, rhythm is a device for moving the body. But he destroys that premise. The beat is subdivided, multiple tempos run simultaneously, and the time signature changes constantly.
Still, there’s a groove to his music. Where does this contradiction come from?
His rhythm reproduces ““human deviations’’ to a high degree. Because it contains minute fluctuations, rather than complete mechanical precision, the listener unconsciously senses its physicality.
Furthermore, he treats rhythm not as a “division of time” but as a “sculpture of time.” Time itself is transformed by the arrangement of sounds.
Rhythm is not something that marks time, but a tool that transforms time.
Distance from techno
Aphex Twin is often talked about in the context of techno, but their essence is very different.
In contrast to Detroit Techno’s repetitiveness and functionality, his music is non-functional. Since it is not intended to be used on a dance floor, the structure is free and its development is unpredictable.
Also, although influenced by Ambient, it is more than just ambient music. His sound always requires “listening”.
Belongs to the genre and deviates from it at the same time. This duality places his music in a unique position.
He does not belong to a genre, but transforms the genre itself.
Anecdotes and legends
There are many stories about Aphex Twin.
For example, there is a story where a hard drive full of unreleased songs was left behind on an airplane, and it was later leaked. It is also said that he uses his own software to generate extremely complex rhythms.
Even more famous are his anecdotes about live performances. In some cases, they only played the sound source, or intentionally caused confusion, in a way that betrayed the ““performance’’ that the audience expected.
These actions may seem provocative, but for him they are also an attempt to redefine “the musical experience itself.”
Creepy images with composite faces and unpredictable promotions are also part of his work world.
The legend is not an exaggeration, but the result of his ideas appearing in reality.
Influence on contemporary music
Aphex Twin’s influence is immeasurable.
The IDM scene that was formed around Warp Records was greatly shaped by his presence.
Also, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke has openly stated his influence, and his influence is strongly reflected in his works after Kid A.
Furthermore, contemporary artists such as Flying Lotus and Arca have inherited his ideas while also evolving in their own ways.
His influence extends beyond sonic style. It lies in renewing the question, “What is music?”
He changed the idea of music, not the form of music.
Chronology
- 1971: Richard D. James is born
- 1992: Selected Ambient Works 85–92 announced
- 1994: Selected Ambient Works Volume II announced
- 1999: “Windowlicker” released
- 2001: Drukqs announced
- 2014: Syro announced
Structure diagram: Chaos and Control
Conclusion: The idea of controlling chaos
Aphex Twin’s music is more than just experimentation. It is a ““methodology’’ for dealing with chaos and order at the same time.
He doesn’t rely on chance. Rather, intentionally design what sounds like a coincidence. As a result, the listener is faced with an unknown experience.
This structure also applies to modern creation in general. In an age of information overload, perfect order is boring and total chaos is incomprehensible. It is during this time that new value is created.
His music continues to explore that in-between area.
Controlling chaos is itself the core of modern creativity.
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