Aphex Twin - Syro ALBUM REVIEW

[@leogrubelic5770]

There aren't any trap-influenced beats on Syro. That's whats really bugging Anthony.

[@McSwift]

Lmfao...or any "boom-bap"

[@mulefa1]

3 years later and this comment is more true than ever... Fantano gone to trash now

[@zdsfhnbvhigf]

trapflavored

[@shrimpe2876]

@@mulefa1 salt

[@Atlastheyote222]

I dont think Richard D James actually listens to any music outside of moon alien hyms

[@caydenhenderson4664]

This man gave Lil Pump a better score than Aphex Twin.

[@aelphind4954]

HAHAHAHAHAHHA

[@deathcrush6155]

Fuck fantano

[@shittelevision2384]

Lil Pump didn't get a classic review though

[@lyleugleman9799]

that’s not how his scoring system works lmfao

[@larkmancy]

what a fucking legend

[@annojosh1751]

As a life long Aphex Twin fan, this album was everything I could hope for. It sounds like Richard all grown up.

[@Ouchtomsky]

Amen

[@slothFPV]

Yep it holds his style while sounding really crisp and well produced like hes become more professional and skilled than before

[@senandevitt706]

Well he is 47 years old so you'd hope so.

[@FreakofNature147]

Same

[@rohanmehta8148]

Right? He's so relaxed and playful on this album

[@ImSnowtek]

Aisatsana is on par with avril 14th imo... Anti climatic in the most perfect context possible

[@prodigalsun1678]

I agree 100%

[@michaelroy6630]

Right? I have both on my study/relax playlist, and they're two of my favourites. So simple, emotional and peaceful.

[@brianbailey904]

It’s literally one of my favorite quiet Aphex tracks

[@SmilemimeemimelimS]

Syro, for me, has been a slow-burner. That's true of a lot of RDJ's music: the complexities of his songs unfold gradually over time with more listening. I grew up listening to Aphex and was desperate to hear this album. I sat down, headphones plugged into my deck playing Syro on vinyl, can't help but admit I was a little disappointed at first. Then I listened to it again on the bus, again on a walk, again on a car journey; listen by listen, I remembered that part of me from my childhood that would persevere with a piece of music I initially couldn't work out. And then the complexities began to bloom like a week-long psychoactive drug. Slowly I realised Syro is as mindblowingly beautiful and original as anything else he's ever produced. The scales he uses are so alien to what we're used to, it takes some time to readjust our minds. I think Anthony can't escape comparing this to everything else electronic at the moment (as much as he tries to ironically distance himself from it at the start of the review). I think part of the problem (as pretentious as it sounds) is that reviewers are rating him within the context of electronic music. He's using electronics to push the boundaries, who the fuck else is pushing something as unique as this?

[@fleaship6134]

Autechre for one.

[@rumham9911]

Couldn't have said it better myself, the first couple listens I was rather put off by most of this album, it felt rushed, chaotic and random in its composition and I was ready to dispose it as sort of a rehash of Analord sound-alike. But given repeated listens, having it spinning in my car on the daily commute, I started noticing threads, patterns, sounds that bounced of each other in ways that was just too intentional and thought out to disgard as filler, and I eventually fell deeply in love with this album. Its not easy listening, its not mainstream, and its so intricate that even the internets greatest music reviewer was blinded by its brilliance (in my opinion).

[@lucacycles8623]

Yup!

[@peesicle]

wat

[@pipbrownjohn7036]

The thing is as original and creative as Aphex Twin was in the 90's, that can't distract from the fact that over time his influence has allowed many artists to learn from him and hence, records have been created since then with more experimental and unique intricacies than syro itself has. Syro may be a fairly progressive and step-taking record in the context of his earlier works but there are tons more artists who have done the same and better. James is a highly skilled artist but the teacher will always be outclassed by the fresher and more eager minds of the newer generations.

[@moesalamander7012]

That second “XMAS EVE” track is a 10

[@jamesfullwood7788]

Indeed. A Masterpiece....

[@MeskDaKrull]

One of my absolute favs of his. It just keeps on giving. The epic pads at the end of the track just floors me every time

[@JasonBoon02]

XMAS EVET is a very cool track, I'd actually put it on during Christmas. My favorite track though so far has been the syro track. Kinda did the sounds and the fast pace it has going for it.

[@sma_1264]

Indeed literally my favorite aphex twin song

[@felipe-dd7vx]

Outro is fucking insane

[@Croot_Music]

You need to listen to it again. This album is insane.

[@Croot_Music]

The intro for this video was hilarious though

[@anonymousperson8161]

Insanely average :)

[@Croot_Music]

How is this average? What other popular electronic artists even come close to this level of production? (Besides the obvious Squarepusher, Autechre...)

[@creglek7368]

insane & amazing as drukqs, analord, tuss...

[@madtiboysen5397]

Oivalf Music Tipper I'd say. He has a lot of popularity.

[@ninjaboy191]

Whoa, whoa, whoa Anthony. Aphex Twin, right down to his oldest stuff, does not sound dated. He oozes this distinct, idiosynchratic style that makes him timeless. I honestly can't see why you think this, no other artists can really artistically hold their own in electronic music like he has, you've gotta objectively own up to that,.

[@somemusicnerd637]

Most of his music sounds very futuristic to me

[@laij7863]

@@somemusicnerd637selected ambient works does sound dated. drukqs is so futuristic and amazing though

[@Dehumanized33]

This shit just won a grammy yo

[@RCmies]

+Jessica Walrus Amazing *claps*

[@GENDEMA]

And the artist didn't go to receive the award, which speaks even better about the album.

[@gaborkrausz5402]

"Efex twin"

[@aries8536]

@@gaborkrausz5402 seero

[@headeraser]

This album ages like fine wine. In the beginning i didnt like it, but now i fuckin love it

[@HandsOfCinderblock]

I love how clearly he illustrates that this is simply his opinion, and so many of you respond like "dude, you did a bad job on your opinion; why didn't you choose the right opinion?" Why would you bother watching these if his opinion is supposed to be pre-determined based on what score that you yourself think an album should get?

[@GarciansVortex]

Stephen Weir correct

[@spongeaang98]

He asks for our opinions at the end, so that's what they give him. You don't need to be a dick about it, but we have as much a right to an opinion as Anthony does.

[@FronkZappa]

most of the people acting pissed off are just giving him shit relax man

[@twinpeople]

B-but muh validation

[@HandsOfCinderblock]

spongeaang98 No, no, of course. I'm not saying that no one else is entitled to their opinion; I'm not even saying that no one can criticize HIS opinion. I'm just saying that criticizing someone else's opinion is totally counter-productive and irrational, because when Anthony listened to this album, he felt like it was a 6. You can't prove him wrong. It's not a question of who's right and who's wrong. It's a question of what he thought of it and what others thought of it. So, you can say anything- absolutely ANYTHING- you want about the album or his opinion (I won't and can't stop you), but if you talk about how his opinion is "wrong", you won't make any sense... you're making yourself look kind of foolish. You're doing my work for me, in a sense!

[@doubledee88]

It was nice to see Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada to come back.

[@user-cr6qc1mi2z]

boards of Canada's new album is amazing.

[@mdr222]

And Autechre.

[@jka7814]

+Pepe AtScratch autechre never went anywhere, they've been steadily releasing stuff since they started.

[@Croix1]

Mouth Sounds/Mouth Silence(Basically Smash Mouth mashup albums): 8/10. Syro: 6/10. This is why I keep coming back to theneedledrop.

[@freindmaker4473]

Those are really great albums for what they're going for

[@northernphase]

Okay those albums are awesome, they’re professional level mashups while also being super funny. Also theres only like 4 actual smash mouth mashups

[@connor48880]

Neil Cicierega is a God Bow down

[@lambdashiftakadavidheikkil2657]

I feel the album has aged well and gets better with each listen. I would give this a 9 or a strong 8 at least but I understand and respect your opinion.

[@DERAILEDbeats]

whats this? someone who respects anthony's opinion in a theneedledrop comment section? impossible.

[@jordandrukqsz4026]

@@DERAILEDbeats Respects his opinion while still having a differing one as well. very rare in this day and age. lol

[@colinmurphy3478]

This whole "sounds dated" is just a thoughtless cliche reviewers use.

[@Idkfawin32]

+Colin Anthony Yes Yes! This!

[@benbancroft7648]

+Shanty Boonstabo I agree but then if we all know what they mean do they really need to reword it?

[@Idkfawin32]

No I don't think so. Syro didn't sound dated at all.

[@colinmurphy3478]

Idkfawin32 Agreed.

[@jimadler2430]

I feel the same when critics use "fun"

[@knotlock]

I’d probably dish out a solid 8 for this one. I’d probably give Drukqs a 10 just for reference.

[@southarrest]

I love drukqs

[@TheAngryBiscuitchannel228]

Can’t argue with that, drukqs is one of the best albums of all time imo

[@Guadeloop]

Aphextony Twintano

[@liamcarmody4217]

that wouldn't flow well. it would be athony phextano

[@Guadeloop]

Squaretony Pushtano Venetiany Snaretano

[@Guadeloop]

Daftony Punktano

[@liamcarmody4217]

Deadthony Mau5tano

[@Guadeloop]

*Deathony

[@theneedledrop]

let's just hug it out.

[@FronkZappa]

how dare you insult the Spyro :(

[@afxdvsn]

Disappointing, okay, but it was waaay closer to a 7/10 than a 6... :c

[@FleegalFlargel]

NO! Don't TOUCH me!

[@coolnesss16]

Nice review man I enjoyed this album a lot more than you did but I can see why some wouldn't be blown away by it.

[@99luc10]

k

[@Userrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.r]

The fact that aisatsana isn't in his favourite tracks hurts

[@easycoding8255]

Anthony man, this is such a shame. Richard's microtonal and technical work on this record is amazing. The musical heroes from the 90s comment was just a lack of respect for the music. Forget that it's Aphex Twin and just listen to the subtleties in the music. Some of the instruments used for this were custom built by an engineer in Japan who worked with Richard over many years. The instruments that were manufactured that he used were modded to high heavens with extra filters, circuit bending etc. Some of the scales used for the tracks are unreachable by the majority of western instruments because RDJ has modded them to be able to use custom non-equal temperament scales. This album has been in the making for so many years considering the gap between the tracks on it. The only reason it saw release was because Richard was touched by fans who asked him to release the Caustic Window LP that you reviewed. So touched that the money fans raised to make him release it was donated to charity before he released SYRO. Syro really is a monumental album of dedication and love to crafting music. Even if you aren't particularly a fan of something, doesn't mean it's bad. There are many movies that I can appreciate for what they represent and the work that has gone into them, but personally I wouldn't re-watch. It doesn't mean the movie is mediocre, it just means I'm not that fond of it.

[@mahbobemortazavi6257]

Wise comment

[@lamestudiosinc418]

You know this is just his opinion right?

[@easycoding8255]

@@lamestudiosinc418 I didn’t like how much Anthony seemed to write it off as a record from a “90’s musician” who has returned when Richard was releasing music in the 00’s under his other aliases and had been continuing to play unreleased music in his live sets. The guy is a serious artist and it’s as though Anthony just didn’t want to take the album as seriously as he normally would. I’m not saying Syro should have been given a 10, it’s his opinion but I just felt like he was too flippant in some of his analysis. In short, yes it’s his opinion but I disagree with it and I was making a case as to why I felt that way rather than attacking him personally.

[@SpikedCollar666]

The guys clueless if you look at the gear list for this and know what he’s using this album is absolutely ridiculous there’s no one doing it on this level this good. And the mastering is some of the best I’ve heard.

[@Sternertime]

CIRCLONT14 (Shrymoming mix) is one of the most beautiful and intense songs i've heard in a really long time. Sounds like a soul evolving through pain and confusion, coming out of r some astral trial into greater understanding of itself and its surroundings. I didn't watch this video of the guy talking about it.

[@evo2542]

I think it's weird how you only hear 'old afx' in this music when he hasn't made this kind of music before. He's used similar sounds, but the synths themselves have a lot of depth to them, not to mention the tracks are definitely on the busy side. Whereas in his early years, the sounds and arrangement were much more basic. There is definitely more weight to the sounds he's choosing now. This is definitely not 'early aphex'

[@nikito370]

I also don't get when people say 'it's like going back to a previous something in his work'. I can only see like he is going back to... the tuss and... frankly I don't know. It doesn't sound like anything he's done before, maybe some sounds, some arrangements, some 'jokes' but it doesn't sound lo-fi, or home made, or exceedingly digital. It isn't an ode to analogue synths. It's like he masters such a palette of styles and sounds, and now he plays to combine them. Maybe, just maybe in such excercise of combination of old 'wisdoms' there's a decrease in boldness, in audacity, but that shouldn't be something that anyone on earth could demand to RDJ. 'Hey, innovate more' Nope. He has the credit and the amount of taste enough as to play inside his own boundaries, that are still a whole universe for most of us to keep on exploring.

[@AFStimo2]

You need to be familiar with Richard's other work in order to truly understand Syro. Richard's talent is unparalleled and this album is a masterpiece.

[@freindmaker4473]

translation: HE DISAGREES WITH ME SO HE DOESN'T GET IT

[@ugo5200]

@@freindmaker4473 I really don't think this applies here. This sounds worlds away from his early stuff which Fantano is comparing it to.

[@freindmaker4473]

@@ugo5200 oof, yeah, I commented this like over a year ago and now I totally get what this guy was sayin

[@magillagorillasecuritypatr2591]

To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand Aphex Twins work....

[@MongerOfStrings8222]

He is tho

[@Mr061099]

Yup, just as i expected. Another Tomorrows Harvest like review.

[@InterpolFL]

Life and existence - 6/10 - Fantano.

[@anonymousperson8161]

Well, that's kind of accurate tbh

[@robertfenderson373]

New Aphex Twins album is exactly what I want. It's an Aphex Twin Album, with the Aphex Twin sound. I don't want any experimental failures. I agree with the other reviewers that the best is yet to come...just like Ulrich Schnauss, these guys are Masterbuilders of sound, one brick at a time. I give this album a 10. On the headphones, it's a masterpiece.

[@perrylane]

Never mentioned the final track was a grand piano suspended from the ceiling swing back and forward - a bit of innovation that really makes the sound . I really like the album and one of his most musically coherent and cohesive offerings .

[@squonkbot9487]

I'm not into this type of music but aphex sounds crazy dope

[@evo2542]

Then you should get into this type of music because there's lots of it! Check out Syro of course, Drukqs, RDJ album.... just as starters

[@squonkbot9487]

+Brandon Matson thanks man ill check them out.

[@evo2542]

Hunter Cook btw that's just aphex twin albums. Also check out Squarepusher, Wisp, and Clark, as some more starters.

[@michaellk2254]

Ambient works 85.-92 is a good starting point for AFX

[@adrenacrumb]

Guy is a master with no doubt. Keep listening and it will be your type. Took me a bit to realize the amazingness of his work. Listen to the Richard D James album if you haven't.

[@avril14thlove]

I'm pretty sure the "Drukqs" album is supposed to be pronounced "drug use" (druk-qs)

[@avril14thlove]

Also I could have hoped for a bit more with "Syro" but overall I'm really pleased. Would have loved more ambient or piano. The first three tracks and the last are my favourites.

[@vitalepitts]

I think that I read that most tracks, and the title of that album, were made up words that he got from randomly mashing on a typewriter.

[@WolfgangGe]

Christian Vitale nah, most of the tracks titles are cornish

[@D3TOSS]

its pronounced drucks and the album name has nothing to do with drugs. It has something to do with pressing keys and buttons.

[@elementengine]

Drucks.

[@imDezrt]

I've been following anthony for quite a while (~2011) so I have an idea of why he scored it the way he did, but I still disagree with this one. He likes novelty out of artists--if you want to get an 8 or higher you have to be carving out new sonic niches, creating a jumping off-point for new artists. This album has a modest presentation--it's really just a showcase of Aphex's refinement and mastery acquired between Drukqs and the Analord / Tuss era so it doesn't check the novelty box that fantano needs to get it into the upper range. He's familiar with Aphex enough to know that this isn't the huge departure that he's looking for. On the other hand, I really commend the way Richard stuck with a stark sonic palette and commanded a complete mastery over it. The sounds are familiar, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find him using these sounds in the way that he does on Syro elsewhere in his catalogue. It's really Aphex at the top of his game in terms of arrangement and composition--the interweaved sections, the breakdowns, the callbacks...god I could really go on and on. This album is an absolute sleeper, disguised by the typical sound selection. You can hear some inklings of it on The Tuss with tracks like Synthacon 9 but it's really out in full force with Syro. It's as if his musical brain leveled up in the interim period.

[@tritone-sub]

yep i particularly agree with your point of Fantano giving high ratings to new niches. it seems that he is overly concerned about the style of music that is presented rather than the musical content itself. if you were to approach syro from a classical composition perspective, you're going to want to return to this album to further discover all the small motifs hinted and developed within songs and even across the album (see CIRCLON). Fantano struggles to appreciate the musicality within a lot of albums because he limits his understanding of the artists' stylistic and cultural achievement, rather than refining a musical style thats been proven to already be great (see Hiatus Kaiyote & Tool reviews). it reveals his inability to perceive the subtleties of musicianship

[@amphitheatre]

ant's next coupla reviews from the future: new electric wizard 7/10 new caribou 6/10 light 7 new flylo solid to decent 7

[@cybashton]

most likely =/

[@FronkZappa]

new EW is definitely gonna be a light 6

[@SleepFan771]

At least I know the new EW will be awesome, I heard some of the stream of the album. Super heavy, neat riffs with very great heavy production like Come My Fanatics or something.

[@amphitheatre]

SleepFan771 its leaked and i'm hear to smell you... its a light 6 to strong 9

[@SleepFan771]

rss313 He'll give it a strong 6, but it's much better than that.

[@Chozal]

180db is such a troll track. The first half is pretty good, the second half of the record is much better to me. And there's so much to sink your teeth into musically. It's really inspiring to hear such diversity and attention to detail using nothing groundbreaking.

[@chaosmos24]

^ this although xmas might be the best individual track imo

[@Chozal]

Maybe, it's definitely among my favourites, with the last track, papat4 and syro

[@chaosmos24]

And circlont6a! And earth portal mix! And produk29! It's a good sign when it is difficult to choose your favorite cut from an album, and there are more than two candidates.

[@lxrdox]

Haha alot of people hate on 180db, but I like that tune! That weird funny sounding synth is what makes the track. I always wonder what are those notes and how you would play that back on a guitar or something. The drums are great too. I just imagine an old guy in a suit pelvic thrusting the air on top of a krispy kreme when I hear it.

[@chaosmos24]

Titanium50 Ok, you might have convinced me. I can't listen to 180db now without seeing that old guy thrusting.

[@weplayOldschool]

but anthony...did you listen to the japan bonustrack? it´s over 7 minutes long and really great!

[@chasetemple3992]

i cant find it anywhere, whats it called?

[@jameslees7103]

@@chasetemple3992 MACHROMT30a

[@BlackAlbino2000]

Wow after 8 years rewatching this it sucks even more . Syro is a masterpiece

[@ChromeKong]

I was 16 when I first heard Aphex Twin back in 1994. No one else understood that music, especially at that age, especially in that small town I come from. But it blew me away and changed my musical preferences forever from being a hardcore guitar rock, grunge and metal fan to being primarily into electronic music like Autechre, Squarepusher, Amon Tobin and the whole Warp, Rephlex and Ninja Tune bunch. And coming from that background with having consumed everything that came out in the past 20 years I have to say: Anthony is absolutely right! This album is both smart and sophisticated in production and details but also a little superficial as a whole and somewhat underwhelming. Especially when little gems like "In Dust" from Roll The Dice get close to no attention.

[@ChromeKong]

Ok, didn't want to sound cocky with the "no one else understood" part, of course somewhere else people understood, but in my environment it felt like that...

[@ChromeKong]

***** Yeah, thanks for pointing it out. Very valuable information.

[@cyan4856]

Here's the thing: Aphex Twin made electronic music what it is today. He inspired everyone with his unique sounds, and boy did he have a ton of them. This album is business as usual for Aphex Twin, it's good stuff, but given how far electronic music has come since he first revolutionized it, it doesn't sound as mind blowing as say, Ambient Audio Works 85-92 did when it first came out. People expected too much, people expected it to be nothing short of the second coming of Jesus (he does kinda look like him after all), they got a great album, maybe even an amazing one, but this isn't the 90's anymore, and Aphex Twin is no longer the messiah.

[@chopincj7530]

that's where you're wrong, kiddo.

[@leadbellymidnightangel]

This album becomes better after each listen

[@dennyhamrick2552]

uh 180db_ is my favorite track what am I doing wrong

[@aelphind4954]

that track was a bop

[@dennyhamrick2552]

Human Person This comment is more than half a decade old wyd

[@N00bvlog]

Hey, how you doing

[@Uncontrollable_Sphere]

nothing that tracks absolute gas

[@Privacysavingname]

180db_ is my 2nd fav on the album. It's use of non linear scales and unusual internvals combined with a really tight thumpy bass drum makes it pretty fun to listen to.

[@bitspacemusic]

This album is still holding up. Everything you said is typical release day review speak. Produk 29 has an incredible intro for "elevator music".

[@3129joshua]

this album is a m a z i n g- this is the best I've heard Aphex sound. I cant stress how refreshing it is to hear electronic music done to this degree of artfulness- it makes so many others just seem sooo weak. It really is like after all these years he is resurfacing to show us what is possible within the genre. Its cool music ,its complex and beautiful and at times made me laugh a little-it reveals more and rewards after repeated listens.

[@VictorNFN]

SAW 85-92 is a masterpiece

[@hoarishgoat5467]

VictorNFN his best experiment.

[@SweattyGOS2]

VictorNFN I like SAW vol. 2 a lot more. SAW 85-92 is lower on my list compared to his other releases but still love it

[@neighbor472]

1 and 2 are both masterpieces and both do their own thing very well

[@HeavyProfessor]

it took about a year until I was really obsessing over the intricacies of some of the tracks. I don't think reviewer has listened to the album enough to like it in this way.

[@exiago]

WE WANT CAL

[@joejack5]

Yeah dude! Did Anthony abandon Cal in Australia?

[@shellacSOUP58]

joejack5 Just left his ass to the dingoes. RIP Chuchesta

[@luancervantes6124]

i call bullshit on your 6 m8

[@anonymousperson8161]

Why? Because you don't agree? I like Aphex and I found this so sonically boring

[@luancervantes6124]

well, richard said in an interview that syro wasn't gonna be his most innovative album, so it was pretty much what i expected. it was a good album, just a bit (as anthony said) anti-climatic, much like drukqs.

[@MrShazDude]

***** you a shit

[@luancervantes6124]

yeah.. i guess you're right..

[@anonymousperson8161]

***** Agreed, a lot of people are willing to compromise *just* because this is aphex twin.

[@KoopaKart]

The better the album the lower score you give LOL smh

[@MFMEME]

Exactly. Camp beats The Money Store out of the water and W is infinitely better than To Be Kind

[@1Superchops]

And I'm Gay is miles ahead of What's Going On

[@MFMEME]

1Superchops Don't forget, Two > LP1

[@thebekg2050]

Frank Lotion Goddamn you are stupid.

[@MFMEME]

Thebe Kgositsile Yeezus is 100 times better than Doris

[@___xyz___]

Whether Richard is the genius his most avid fans claim he is is beside the point. Syro is nothing short of a textbook standard of IDM. Exactly because it's less busy than many other artists. I wouldn't say it's my favourite, but it's pretty good for what it is, and it's definitely a speciality work which no other artist could've created.

[@pkoziolek1]

even though it may be not the best in his discography, this record is just too solid for me to be anything less than a 7

[@stuffedmannequin]

I've loved Aphex Twin for fifteen years. Syro is a good album, but I wouldn't rank it as my top faves from RDJ. Regardless, I'm just delighted to have another album from him, even if it's not amazing.

[@lexxandera]

I love him since I saw him on MTV in '99. I feel like you. It is a good album. Autechre got too crazy for me for example.

[@SweattyGOS2]

AlexCopyPaste Autechre is a different beast entirely. I love both artists

[@slothFPV]

My fave is melodies from mars

[@jacobniehaus]

A 6? I think you need to take a break from reviewing music. Not sure if you're thinking clearly anymore.

[@anonymousperson8161]

The man's allowed an opinion...

[@7amani3arbawi]

Anonymous Person not if it's stupid.

[@MojoRisingTV]

AGREED this is a solid 8

[@anonymousperson8161]

***** This is as subjective as food, basically. Mcdonalds might not be healthy, but you can't just dismiss someone just because they like it and you don't.

[@MojoRisingTV]

***** Agreed Katy perry is child learning piano compared to.. THE APHEX TWIN AAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XMAS_EVET10 and the Probus Mix

[@snj1990]

The Syro album is a welcome return to form for Aphex Twin. A good record any Aphex Twin (or electronic music fan) should listen to. I still lean toward SAW 85-92, ICBYD, the Richard D. James album, and even 2003's 26 Mixes for Cash compilation but this album is a great listen (more so than Drukq's in my opinion). Good to see people taking an interest in Aphex Twin.

[@DangerBay]

minipops and Papat4 go so hard, stand outs for me. solid 8/10 overall, love the album especially after rediscovering it years later, it has a great analog feel to it. and the final song as an ode to his wife is haunting beautiful, definitely made me tear up to put ti at the end like that.

[@mortenrobinson]

I have listened to the album a lot by now and i'm recognizing more and more that this is one of the greatest electronic music albums of all time so far. The first listen was a little difficult, but i listened to it some more and now i am completely hooked!! I'm a Syro addict :-D

[@soydave1988]

This album has aged so well in my opinion. Its a solid 8 to 9 for sure

[@Yer_Da_]

It's the most 10/10 album I've ever heard - took me about 10 careful listens to work out why. For me the only chink in the armor is 180dB and even that is a solid 8/10 and doesn't pull the album down below a 10/10

[@TrustInTheUniverse]

My favorite track is S950tx16wasr10 (Earth Portal Mix). I don't feel like Syro is anything like his 90s stuff either. It reminds me of The Tuss

[@JohnSmith-wj7ge]

+Petey Sweety The Tuss was one of the best things he ever did. Why would he keep recycling one sound when the man has literally dozens of styles?

[@TrustInTheUniverse]

John Smith Not sayin he should. I just see a similarity between Syro and The Tuss thats all

[@wazerkus-9393]

Earth Portal is such a banger.. and at 2:26.. it literally screams... The Tuss . There was a interview in Dutch that was roughly translating Richard saying that A good bit of tunes on Syro were in fact , derived from The Tuss and extensions of those particular compositions. Which is fine with me, I'll go to the grave with Aphex and AFX but the Tuss is simply the greatest thing he has ever done.

[@MajoraWaffle]

i'm still really fucking mad A F U C K I N G 6

[@pwnayr]

stock in fantano plummeted this day

[@businessbusiness9407]

Majora dude I'm just here to get mad all over again. 6. The number of the beast.

[@MajoraWaffle]

still one of his worst reviews

[@Midcall]

+Majora Why, just because he has a different opinion than you?

[@MajoraWaffle]

yes. it's my opinion that his opinion is garbage.

[@octopaul]

I think 6 is a fair rating here, I've followed RDJ's music for a long time and this new LP is great but it's nothing amazing. I don't know if it's nostalgia speaking but the old albums seem more special to me. Can you review Killed By Youth by Black Juju next Mr.Funtango

[@Fumfig]

Y'all know anything above 5/10 is a positive review right?

[@Wiser51]

Anthony, I don’t know if you’ll see this, but if you do, I’m BEGGING for you to do a redux. Thank you

[@devin1158]

this is the only album i even listen to i can't do any other music but this syro is love

[@TheGyrocop]

Oh god, you gave it a six.... people are gonna lose their shit.

[@klykblair9772]

what?! with the old Analord sounds, ambients, breaks and idm... this album is definitely 9.8 out of 10.

[@suckaforstraws123]

FARTY BASSLINES

[@bluelichen9696]

I love how half the pissed of Aphex fans probably aren't aware Anthony is Richard's cousin.

[@d4rq0n3aphextwin]

Stop saying it's been 13 years since the last aphex twin album. Bullshit Aphex Twin is a person he is called Richard D. James and Richard D. james has made numerous albums in the past 13 years. Numerous!

[@eduardogallegos8596]

If it was called "To pimp a Syro" you would've give it a 10

[@louistwo6524]

I'd think sensationalizing, hyping up anything to be consistently mind blowing and new is so useless and rudimentary to do it's almost obvious. Yet, welcome yourselves to the interwebs; you're not going to meet everyone's sense of perfectionism, even with your own opinions.

[@outphoxed91]

People shouldn't fixate on his score but rather his descriptions of the music.

its very sad to see that most people do that in almost all of his reviews

[@EMAHGERD]

So many newfriends on here. The basic quality of what many people feel like sharing in here is just utterly atrocious. Me as a full heart AFX fan, I kinda agree with some of Fantanos statements but a 6/10 is contradictive. The album was to get stuff thrown out fans have demanded for ages, which is making up the most of the albums contents including 180db, a rather monotounous party spinner in my opinion. But hands down xmas_evet10 is one of the most lush and well thought piece of electronic music ever to be released by him, out of raw ambient or instrumentals, both technically and composition wise. If you arent abled to comprehend the beauty and the telling of this track you either are really new to enjoying music in a way of not just having either a more or less rythmic background noise or something that tells you a message through lyrics or youre just stupid/ignorant and not worth any effort of being cared about by any human, no matter how arrogant this may sound. Following this logic (singular tracks making a whole album) this lone track easily is a reason to deny that 6/10 (even If I dont believe that Aphex's music in special is supposed to be rated in any kind of numerical rating system at all simply because its allowing a huge variety of interpretation and feelings by every single serious [and maybe long-term] Aphex/Idm/braindance listener). To make it short even after this, RDJ put his god-tier tracks on that that have been on demand, added a few afx acid/dnb stuff onto this, some with new, fresh sounds and some rather than a worked out jam, he did better. My only issue is that each and every album he officially put out yet was revolutionary on the majority of track, now with syro it rather is the minority. Not sure why and If i depicted my point well but assuming I had to rate this album in the ?/10 system I'd give it a 9/10. Love, yall listening to good shit, no matter who of the 10k people around here you agree with.

[@lamestudiosinc418]

Well, simply put, there's less invention on this album because there just isn't as much to invent in the IDM world as there was when Richard dropped most of his classics. (forgive the necro)

[@masharoo1321]

Great record! I have pretty similar feelings about this album. It has grown on me a lot over the years though, and it’s relaxing nature has kept me engaged pretty consistently through the years. I’d probably give it an 8/10 personally. Also, CIRCLONT6A had no right going so damn hard.

[@marcosimioni_]

That's one hell of a record IMHO, I really dig it.

[@RyanFromUltrasound]

People need to chill, In the beginning of the review, he demonstrated his concern for how people would react to his opinion, and he stuck to his guns and expressed it anyway. I love the album. Its my favorite of 2014. It feels like a culmination of techniques Richard has developed on all his previous work. much much better than what most legendary musicians produce at this stage.

[@ElvisAidan]

rip this dislike ratio:(

[@chaosmos24]

From WATMM: "I especially agree with his introductory words à la “There may be a lot on this record, but I don't feel invited very much to listen to it”, but still I feel a decent 6 is an insult. Without having listened to it, I think Syro must be in another dimension than Michael Cera's lo-fi folk album, which he gave a 5. Michael Cera 5. Aphex Twin 6."

[@LeroyIsMyBro]

Honestly, I feel like syro was more of a mash up of his other aliases then anything else. I can see why because of him working on afx and such through the years of him not doing aphex twin. Not my favorite of the albums, but i would have to disagree about what you said about the piano. I felt that the ending song was very nice and fit as a touching ending song. Anyways good review Fantano

[@The-cyber-imbiber]

This album has stood the test of time. However, I respect this review. If Anthony wasn't allowed to have is own opinions, even if they diverge from what others including myself think, then nobody would care about his videos because they would not longer be interesting. Massive respect to this guy for having the balls to diss one of my favorite albums.

[@tevin2175]

you go to fantano for hip-hop and rock. he does not review electronic music well or care for the genre that much and it shows.

[@coffeecheetoschicken8569]

It’s not just Aphex Twin, but many other albums of music, but there are some albums that are hard listens. As in you have to listen to them over and over before you start to understand it. For me, Danny Brown’s latest albums Radiohead’s latest albums was similar to that for me. This album was that for me too. It took me a year to finally enjoy as much as I do. I don’t ever bash people for having different views on albums I enjoy because that’s the beauty of art, there is something for everyone. Richard is one of those artist were you can’t really know what the sound of the next album will be. That’s the same for for people and bands such as Andy Stott, Rings of Saturn, Philip Glass, and many others. It’s just all in what you want to hear at that moment.

[@MFMEME]

"6/10" Anthony Fantano: The Internet's Busiest Master Baiter

[@jonny9365]

MF MEME yall cowards don’t even smoke crack

[@alexm2873]

it took me soooooo many listens through to appreciate this album like i do now. CIRCLONT14 is amazing

[@8lorko8]

When you speak of Richard you gotta mention the Tuss and Analord... you just gotta!

[@NathanHassall]

Alot of people liked the album before they heard it. Drafts by online columnists were written before they even had a chance to download it from the pirate bay. Politically, its correct to adore aphex twin especially if you are coming from an EDM standpoint and need to have your opinion taken seriously. Comparing this album to an earlier piece or another artist is pointless. Is it good? maybe. Is it forgettable? yes probably. This is not a definitive masterpiece album. Being referred to hear Aphex Twin for the first time one likely will not be directed to Syro.

[@adrenacrumb]

Strange then this is his first album to reach top 10 in UK and US Billboard.

[@guidogromadzyn1668]

Calling this "synthetic", "cold" and "calculated" is just so absurd. This album is as organically gorgeous as it gets.

[@manafish8732]

this album is a real grower I find. wasn't a big fan of it at first but now i absolutely love it. I think its great that afx just put out a really solid and dense record.

[@stuffsummedup22]

0:00 kanye fans on the second review of *you know what*

[@DendyJungle]

Aphex twin was born in Limerick. Everyone should remember that!

[@damiencaze]

It's not 13 years since the last Aphex Twin album... he's released many stuff under nicknames like The Tuss, Analord, Steinvord, that are far better than Syro.

[@EatPieYes]

Anything specific you'd recommend?

[@kittyvalium6517]

Im pretty sure the multiple analord albums were released under the name afx

[@kittyvalium6517]

And steinvord is not rdj

[@damiencaze]

kittyvalium Thanks for your comments. Steinvord sounds really AFX to me, but you might be right. Anyway, I'll recommend AFX's Analord series, this mixtape is really good: watch?v=t09higEubD8 And the Tuss's Rushup Edge: watch?v=j0YyBp8ZyeE&list=PLDF857DFA99F06D7D

[@EatPieYes]

Thanks friend!

[@joncoish]

Fair review. I haven't fully penetrated this album yet, but my initial impressions are that it's very good. Many of my favorite electronic groups have released much anticipated albums in the last few years (Boards of Canada, Autechre, Daft Punk, and now Aphex Twin) and I must say I feel most satisfied by this release. I haven't really been listening to Aphex Twin in a long while so maybe I'm out of the loop a bit, but this album does strike me as pretty unique, but then it also fits with Aphex Twins music to me as well. I think it's a pretty interesting release!

[@Sucharush31]

I feel like Anthony's gonna be getting some threats until he reviews the new Yorke record... IT HASNT EVEN BEEN OUT THAT LONG! Funniest part is everyone wants the review and the second it comes out and isnt 10/10 everyone that asked for it's gonna be mad.

[@mflmanga]

I think that you NEED to review Moody Good's self titled album. It is the one of the single best edm albums I have ever heard. If there are any Moody Good fans out there, hopefully you can agree with me and upvote this. The production is incredible, the lyrics very nice and just the feeling of the album is outstanding. Hopefully youll see this. It is incredible

[@CubicSugar]

I quite love the album. It is funky and it's very awesome with a proper system. There is something odd about the BPM; I'm sure it changes from track to track, but it all sort of melts together. I know when I listen to it on Acid I'll be swimming around in this techy little funktropolis he's built for us.

[@alexpotplant]

Like your style, man. Thorough reviews with a lot of knowledge to back it up. Nice work.

[@Cykelpump33]

For the love of god! The fanbase of "Aphex Twin" has to bee the most childish and unmature shit i have ever seen! What, he gave it a 6? So what? Does that mean that Anthony is the worst person in the world? Geez, and ppl think that the fans of Pewdiepie is the worst out there. If you didn't like his review, then don't rage about it!

[@chaosmos24]

This is really no different from any fanbase for any artist.

[@Cykelpump33]

***** But not like those off Aphex Twin. :P

[@chaosmos24]

You think that, but what do you base it on? Opinion seems fairly mixed from what I can tell. Do you let what most people think about a piece of music determine how it sounds to you? Are we listening to tunes or trying to make sure our opinions are as conventional as possible?

[@ConsecDesign]

yes. giving the album a 6 is a strong indicator of being a bad person. .... i'll add a "j/k", since sarcasm doesn't really work in the comments

[@Cykelpump33]

***** Lol, stop fanboying. :P

[@regismungarulire]

Nice review dawg. This was a 8/10 for me. Currently my favorite of his after RDJ album.

[@SomeShows]

If nothing else, this review makes me really happy that I actually "get" what's going on when I listen to this and other high-tier electronic records, and helps me understand that not actually PRODUCING anything near to this type of music is what makes critics inept to reproduction of the sounds within give it exceptionally low scores. If more people even knew the effort it takes for anybody who isn't RDJ to construct a single 4 bar melody consisting of anything close to the mastery of some of the ones found in this album, they'd probably pull their hair out. Not to mention the people who are getting pissed (and yeah, most of them in a naive way) are probably the same people who also waited 13 years for this and are mostly happy about anything he puts out, seeing as though this is probably one of thousands of songs he has sitting in his library. When he puts something out it's actually special because it's from his personal archive; it's not just something he sat in a studio and made specifically because he has fans to cater to, it's for himself first and the listeners second. It's highly personal music; he even samples his own family. I'd feel pretty weird about sampling my family and plastering it all over the world for people to hear. All in all I think this deserves at least an 8...personally I give it a 10 because I don't think it sounds anything like anyone else. Yeah, I'm a huge Aphex fan and I've gone through pretty much every alias of his and know probably too much about the guy but shit, it doesn't take a superfan to understand that this is pretty futuristic shit. And I see people saying "it's nothing new, it sounds like [insert past Aphex work here]" which completely validates the point I'm making since he's the only one that sounds exactly like himself. For fuck's sake, the first track on the album can be seen on KZbin videos of him playing live in 2007, and it still sounds good today, as does pretty much everything else he's done. If you're actually educated in electronic music history it's pretty damn hard to deny that.

[@freindmaker4473]

Jesus Christ, 6 is not a bad score, it's above average!!!

[@jeffsvilleusa]

I like this album. It doesn't really break any molds, but it's a nice addition to his past albums. It has kind of a club vibe to me, beat-centric. I would say it has a nice balance of light and dark moods, a lot of texture, layers, lots of effects and soundscapes contained in catchy beats. Overall I would say it's fun and has lots of replay value.

[@idkagoodusernamesohi]

You done fucked up man, the internet is going to riot over this review.

[@DJ_ACIDPUPPY]

aphex went back, and moved into a alternate timeline of his own reality with syro

[@LouMurk]

Did Cal lose weight?

[@Musicforslowweekdays]

I actually loved it. wasn't disappointed at all (respect your opinion of course, though I think this album will grow on you). In other news: can't wait for the Thom Yorke 4/10 review + Life threatening Comments :) lots of love Antony.