Bleep

Download this early Aphex Twin single, now all but unavailable on CD. Released just before the feted Selected Ambient Works II, Richard D James treads a line between bliss and violence. The title track is trademark RDJ, with glisteningly beautiful melodies colliding with harsh blasts of electronic percussion. '73-Yips' is a violent beast, operating at a relentless pace. Thick slabs of bass vie on a crash-course against stabs of tuneless noise - a successful feat only in the hands of such a master. 'D-Scape' is like a minor-key flip of 'On', sinister melodies dancing over oppressive kick-drums and haunting crowd sounds. 'Xepha', finally, throws a world of scattergun percussion against groans and robotic vocal distortion.