After five years of silence, electronic music maestro Aphex Twin has finally released in 2023 new music under his most famous alias. Blackbox Life Recorder 21f is a three-track EP that catapults us into a vortex of sonic memories, a nostalgic journey through the British composer’s psyche.
The title track, “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f”, is a melancholic ode to a lost childhood. Aphex Twin creates a dreamlike atmosphere, built on simple and nostalgic melodies accompanied by syncopated rhythms and distorted glitches. The song evokes a sense of familiarity, as if we were rediscovering forgotten memories in an old attic trunk.
The other two tracks on the EP, “zin2 test5” and “in a room7 F760”, explore more experimental sonic territories. “zin2 test5” is an explosion of chaotic energy, with abrasive distortions and frenetic rhythms that transport us to a 90s underground rave. “in a room7 F760”, on the other hand, is a more introspective piece, characterized by ambient atmospheres and ethereal melodies that create a sense of stillness and contemplation.
“aphex twin live-set” by lenore* is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Blackbox Life Recorder 21f is a work rich in meaning and thought-provoking. Aphex Twin invites us to explore our memories, to confront our past, and to find beauty in the simple and often forgotten things. His music is an exciting and cathartic journey, an experience that challenges us and stimulates us to look at the world with new eyes.
With this EP, Aphex Twin proves once again that he is a visionary and timeless artist. His music is capable of transporting us to other dimensions, of making us experience intense emotions, and of making us reflect on our existence. Blackbox Life Recorder 21f is a grand return for one of the greatest electronic musicians of all time.
