#cheetah ep

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Cheetah EP, Aphex Twin (2016)

As Richard D. James’ main project post-Syro, the Cheetah EP offers far more straightforward, glitch-free techno more in line with his Caustic Window alias. Despite simplicity being its charm, it’s also undoubtedly an Aphex Twin release, so in reality that apparent straightforwardness comes expertly crafted with a typical attention to the miniscule details. Wholly atmospheric and as catchy as you like, it shows James as the master craftsman of electronic music that he always is.

Cheetah’s main accomplishment is how it takes James’ music towards the realm of being actually danceable. Opener ‘CHEETAHT2 [Ld spectrum]’, with its mighty, brash beats and pulsating throbs of ambience, is surprisingly groovy. This play sees the Aphex Twin adhering to more popular tropes of contemporary electronic music in his use of brooding, plunging techno beats in laying the groundwork on most tracks, though he still manages to lay down his own signature reverb synths. Occasionally it’s underwhelming, such as on ‘CIRKLON3’, but for the most part Cheetah is consistently good quality techno finished with James’ usual outstanding technique, taste and precision.

Cheetah’s normality reminds us how eccentric and pioneering James is as an artist, and its simplicity goes to show he can make the popular stuff too, with seeming ease. Standard build-and-fall tracks are good fun, if nowhere near as revisitable as his more abstract, experimental IDM. It’s also a short EP, made up of essentially five tracks – and although there are a couple of memorable and enjoyable numbers, none will go down as any of his best. Nevertheless, Cheetah is well-produced, straightforward techno and doesn’t claim to be any more.

Pick: ‘CHEETAH2 [Ld spectrum]

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ALBUM REVIEW: Aphex Twin - Cheetah EP

Several months ago, Richard David James, a.k.a. Aphex Twin, teased followers with what seemed to be an instrument advertisement that disclosed, “To assure you that your Cheetah EP will give you many years of enjoyment, please be sure to read the owners manual carefully before attempting to operate the Cheetah EP.” It was a classic Aphex move, leaving his followers puzzled as to whether they would be receiving an instrument or a music release. The later release of Cheetah gave insight that James programmed most of the EP from a classic Cheetah MS800 synthesizer, which is notoriously one of the most difficult and frustrating to program. The synth is said to have sat on some top-tier producers’ desks for hours without producing a single tone. I think that leaves enough room to say that James’ classic synthesizer skillset cannot be rivaled. The modern appeal on his newest release will, however, help maintain interest in old-school musical mediums for many more years to come.

With his new synthesizer, James seems to have taken a path more appealing to the masses – a newfound sound to which we are not used from an Aphex compilation. His sculpting on this EP takes to warmer saturation, 808s, and rudimentary landscapes that may open doors within the electronic audience, surely making it one of his most accessible works to date.

One cannot ignore how incredible it is that the music video for “CIRKLON3” came entirely from a 12-year-old, and how dauntingly it aligns with everything Aphex. This song is also a total beast when it comes to techno progressions. Whether the transitions are subtle or extremely abrupt, James will not lead you on with any precursor, which is rather interesting considering the two tracks leading up to “CIRKLON3.” “CHEETAH1b” and “CHEETAHA2” form sub-minute interludes to “CIRKLON3” and are best understood in my mind as loading screens. They have your undivided attention, and you wait so very anxiously for the next scene, but they need to exist if you are going to play the game.

For more than twenty years now, the genius craftsmanship on Aphex releases has grown, developed, mutated, and recycled into a plethora of compilations. Syro won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Dance/Electronic Album, which certainly has an influence on Cheetah’s creation and sound design. James may have felt that this was the time to once more expand upon his comfort zone and reach out a little bit to listeners.

Like any Aphex release, Cheetah will certainly not be understood by all, but give it a listen and see where it might take you…or so wrongly mislead you.  

-Anthony Dutcher

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