Aphex twin - Xtal

[@cualfuneri2510]

the kind of music you want as background when you are having a nice moment and want to keep it as a memory.

[@derekperez1418]

Yup, I've got this associated with tropical rains in Guam. When I was there, California's drought was serious and I cried watching it to this song.

[@rasvetx]

dale el diego y afx

[@cualfuneri2510]

aguante el diego y la droga@@rasvetx

[@Nonexistanthuman]

This was the first song my daughter ever heard.

[@Luna11206]

Always kept amazing memories for me so I couldn't agree more!

[@grahammarshallmusic]

I first heard this track xtal when my friend handed me his headphones sitting on the bow of a ferry from Rottnest island to Perth Australia at dusk in 2001. With flat calm water, a warm breeze & the lights of Perth in the distance, this tune takes me back there everytime.

[@FruitloopLeviathan]

awesome really good vibes

[@MoluskToeCheese]

what a beautiful memory

[@Burley_Bert]

wicked

[@jimrussell7492]

Beautiful! It takes me to the coast of Cornwall, UK, sun setting, stars brightening, sea crashing below...

[@donsteppedinside]

i was on acid when i found this track

[@memyself4852]

this always feels like you've stepped out from a rave to grab a smoke and you're just processing the vibes while you can still hear the music from outside

[@timothyjholloway]

@@ravenitz Yes, well said!

[@adammarquez5203]

I guess so sure Marlboro

[@theoriginaltommysteward]

Perfect description.

[@1MNUTZ]

Yea good insight

[@fortheloveofnoise]

He stepped outside, as he walked away from the club...its music faded and started to blend with something new, he continued walking, found this mysterious door, he opened the door and walked inside, an empty building with music playing....he stayed, and then and there was the rest of this album.

[@hplovehandle]

I will love this record until the day I die.

[@Doc13rain]

Same here buddy.

[@rreeppeeaatteerr]

Same! And what a good life, to have enjoyed such a divine soundtrack throughout it:)

[@safesclart]

Yeah maan

[@sen-te8oq]

so your dead body wont wanna have a listen?

[@Alejandro-xv3yf]

This track is timeless it's a combination of the past and the future

[@AldenDoble]

I grew up in the countryside as a child, and whenever there was a snow day and school was cancelled, me and my best friend would take the wheels off our skateboards and use them as snowboards on all the newly formed slopes. I would have Xtal & Pulsewidth playing on my mp3 player as the soundtrack to those snow days, I don't know why but something about those two tracks really suited the snowy landscape. Now whenever I hear these tracks as an adult, I get the strongest sense of nostalgia and those magical snowy childhood memories all come flooding back. I can't thank Aphex Twin enough for creating this music. If you ever happen to read this, Richard - thank you for making my childhood just that extra bit more special :)

[@Marauder1981]

I would say it fits because the sound uses mainly plains-soundscapes (like smooth snow) and with a bit of fantasy you can hear the jingly christmas bells in the song which might remind you of generic christmas song bells.

[@kaecake9575]

Sounds like a good dream. The pictures must be admirable for a lifetime

[@birdlawyer6191]

How'd you get into Aphex Twin as a youngin? I didn't hear of know about him till college.

[@ThunderChunky101]

Killed it mate.

[@AldenDoble]

@@birdlawyer6191 in all honesty I can't remember. I'm sure it must have been through KZbin in the really early days when it first started, but what lead me to landing on an Aphex Twin video will forever be a mystery 😅

[@boxed1084]

This song feels like drinking a cold water at 3am

[@jmbaesso4846]

this is so strangely accurate

[@asonofagunder]

or walking into an air conditioned room on blistering hot day

[@lynchmaleideal]

Well I’ll never get that image out of my head now, thanks for the perfect description

[@Phambleton]

feels like when harry maguire scored that pen against italy in euros 2021

[@damienocallaghan2648]

@@Phambleton Maguire is the most expensive Centre Forward in the World at 80 Million... THINK ABOUT IT😀😀😀😀😀

[@DanKale]

Every time I test a pair of headphones, it's tradition for this song to be the first song to listen to. If this song doesn't sound good, the headphones aren't good.

[@endergamer.mp4]

ive actually been using this song to make crappy speakers and headphones sound good with an equalizer. trying not to have anything too loud or too quiet, like the hi-hats, the kick and bass, and the synth at the start. now my car speakers don't sound to bassy thanks to this song.

[@slavcvlt]

Nah I would use any hypertone track to test headphones

[@DanKale]

@@slavcvlt blameitonjorge

[@slavcvlt]

@@DanKale I’m his avatar but ok.

[@crylune]

I hope you are listening to the 96 kHz vinyl rip and not this.

[@kraftpunkT]

I wish I could listen to this song for the first time again so badly.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

This song for the first time is like taking Morning Glory seeds for the first time. Legal ecstasy

[@xanperna]

i am right now its pretty sweet

[@AMNESI4C]

Don't be spoiled, the first time, the 100th time, this music is still amazing. I feel lucky to be able to enjoy this when most people don't even know about it.

[@ellmoreable]

I am right now. Bliss

[@Hypersquid98]

This music is an alarm clock for the soul

[@vico805]

nice

[@hangingnutsjimmy88]

idk what this means but i feel that its correct

[@dpclerks09]

@@hangingnutsjimmy88 hell yeah dude

[@sephyowns]

yes

[@PastPerspectives11]

God that is a beautiful sentiment

[@manipulated8015]

Aphex Twin has made such beautiful music that has actually helped me through some tough times and that is super impressive for a sound that rarely EVER has lyrics. When you hear this stuff, you can ACTUALLY FEEL SOMETHING. Richard is a very talented and creative person, I want to meet him one day.

[@musicsmymedicine]

I wish to meet him one day as well. at least got to see him live once :) and I know exactly what u mean about the emotive nature and how its healing music in a weird way at the right times. hope ur doing well

[@CaJoel]

I love the airy feel this song has

[@vico805]

yes by the ocean breeze or after it just rained

[@CarrickWebb]

This song feels warm and cold at the same time

[@levroooom]

This song feels like going on a bike joyride with your friends on a chilly summer night

[@Tryler_]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@snug-fibbage7441]

That was the summer of 2021 for me

[@DJ-Mastercode]

Got into Aphex working the night shift years ago, used to love riding my bike home at 4am with these tunes on the empty dark roads.

[@spacealienjesus709]

Every time i jam this album..it inspires me to write and record..

[@d00mboy13]

same for me mate! when i listen to Aphex i immediately pick up my guitar and start recording

[@lomanoneill7299]

This song is timeless. ridiculously good

[@vico805]

yup

[@FurryAnimator]

yes! 💖💖🥰🥰

[@vrilmaxxed]

If I ever come across Richard one day, I won't bother him too much, I'll just thank him for Xtal and tell him that I love him. That's it.

[@Yeoldelole]

Same

[@jcrisp90]

yep

[@Jamesdethh]

I can't find words to say the quality of the artist and this is a masterpiece.

[@DMacLean15]

I feel like I’m walking down an elongated hallway in a hospital while listening to this. I feel like I’m in an empty train station while listening to this. I feel like I’m in heaven while listening to this.

[@jcrisp90]

i feel like im in the mountains on a perfect blue sky day to this

[@shermansadventure1151]

I used to play this on loop whilst sinking off into a K-hole, always felt like I was in a elevator going up to a different dimension lol. This is definitely the music they would play in the elevator up to heaven!

[@anon6706]

Something about this comment seems so very comfortable and warming to me. I've never done K yet, (yet) but I had a sorta similar experience with MDMA. I crushed a yellow strawberry pill into dust, split it into two lines and snorted one up each nostril. I'm shitting you not mate I kept playing "Will Smiths - Getting Jiggy With It" on loop not remembering I had just played it a couple of times already. You know the bit where the "choir/group" is chanting that "Na-na-na-na-na-na-na" bit? I felt like I was in heaven listening to those voices, I felt like nothing else existed and I was just in a pure euphoric state that I don't think I've ever experienced since. Thank you for reminding me about that wonderful time.

[@DMacLean15]

Xtal is the Electronic version of Stairway to Heaven.

[@darrinsiberia]

Just say no.

[@Inspiron_1720]

Why tf are most Aphex Twin listeners addicted to drugs? I like his music but I am NEVER gonna try drugs for sure

[@Corkoth55]

@@Inspiron_1720you definitely should not

[@meowmyr]

This song is like standing outside in the snow late at night with yellowed lights that only slightly illuminate the area around you but just enough to make you feel safe and cozy

[@vico805]

great description!

[@lennytlm]

Miss those days, now my area has terrible LEDs that are uncomfortable

[@PeepingUkulele]

Warmth and comfort with a cold, beautiful dark vastness around you

[@hazed_23]

twenty six years later is still fresher than most of modern music

[@mamamia5668]

*all

[@slopeboix2589]

Facts

[@cmc6040]

Coming up on 32 years now......Jesus where has the time gone??

[@andregurov]

Listening now I can recall the smells, the places, the friends of 28 years ago when I first heard it. Still vibrant, still brilliant.

[@Luna11206]

Yesssss!!!

[@whammersbach]

Nice profile pic

[@kraszerr]

its 2019 and you took a trip with 3 friends to small seaside city in Poland called Łeba. after arriving at 10pm you take lsd night pass by Sun starts to rise around 4am you sit at the beach and sky is 100% pink you put this track on everything you see is pink sky, empty beach and local fishmens on their boats starting day on the ocean. nobody speaks. wonderful

[@vico805]

yeah dream like shit!

[@Neel-ff4mn]

I remember the first time when I heard of Aphex, it was through his grammy win in 2014. At the time, I only listened to electronic music in the form of house and synthpop, and when I heard Syro and the RDJ album, I was turned off on how cold and calculated it sounded. But then I found out about his 2 Selected Ambient Works albums, and that was when I was struck by the wonderment of it all. And it all started with this song.

[@necromax13]

His newer sounds are just either calculated or ear grating hyper shiny glitched synths. Way back when, he was a magician of this transcending sound.

[@maskedmerker1]

it's like Heroin for your ears and soul and i keep coming back year after year for that sweet sensation

[@NoodlePastie]

@@necromax13 I think his new stuff is great. No doubt it's different. That's your opinion just as this is mine.

[@groverkirkland518]

2014?? Bit late to the party dude.

[@BP140Dubz]

@@groverkirkland518 earlier than me lol. First time listening to this one ❤

[@caseystu123]

I used to listen to this alot while skateboarding around deserted Portland Oregon during the pandemic. The track made me forget everything and just enjoy the blue sky and cruising down the street.

[@usm1le]

weird that this is 30 years old. feels so much newer

[@vico805]

thats all of afx music haha

[@Huflungdung1690]

Absolutely tranquility with a little bit of madness flung in. 😊

[@Shawnredfield98]

Hauntingly Beautiful.

[@pigeon_]

this song is so damn beautiful, I just wan't to cry

[@vico805]

so fresh especially for 92

[@1d3ntik1t]

i will never forget the time i listened to this album while my plane is taking off and it finally clicks with me, what a phenomenal album

[@Maxence51435]

I think it’s the only song i’ve ever heard that makes you wanna both dance and chill, it’s both cool, dancy music but also relaxing ambient

[@inkblot101]

I had myself a wee journey a couple of weeks ago out in a local national park, just me, the milky way, a bunch of pademelons and this track. That memory is going to be with me for a very long time. Thanks RDJ

[@thatemocat]

This is my go to song for coping with depression

[@vico805]

the sample LALALA brings some joy huh

[@thatemocat]

@@vico805 yep

[@Mikko-Maggie-More]

This feels like when you play Aphex Twin's "Xtal"

[@snork-is-snork]

Relatable

[@Sufficient_Yogurt993]

#Hilarious

[@mikeangelos03]

This is definitely one of the xtal of all time

[@V01D_Protogen]

Richard D. James moment

[@manlypedro75]

I first heard this when a buddy visited me at my new place ,when I first moved out of home, rolled my first spliff to christen the new pad... I lit it, and he pressed play on the CD player... MAGIC

[@christopher9196]

I guess I have a new favorite song. i never heard it before and it's just beautiful 😊

[@ryan6766]

prob the best song ever made

[@vico805]

up there on the greatest electronic tracks of all time!

[@Ev3rmoving]

The fact that this song was produced in the late 80s/early 90s is incredible, it sounds very fresh.

[@klmx6]

This song sounds like when you're swimming underwater and paddling your feet on the surface, and it reminds me of this strange place or dream I had when I was younger. Almost felt like the place you are before you're born, just floating in bright blue sky along the clouds.

[@ruchirab6513]

I live in a tropical third world country and I have never seen snow in my life nor felt it before. I can only guess this is how its probably feels like. I wish i could experience it someday , i really do.

[@dorhysgnawing1263]

This is very accurate, come hangout we’ll build a snowman

[@truthseekertruth]

This is the only song I have listened to for 3 days with no other songs playing. Even though I could swear I’ve never heard it before it transports me back to days when I was happy. I’m not saying I’m not happy now, I’m just saying this song made me happier.

[@liviabaudson1861]

imagina produzir um dos melhores álbuns da história da música tendo apenas 14 anos, instrumentos feitos à mão por ele mesmo, e fitas danificadas. um gênio.

[@fernandochaves3854]

sou adepto a musica eletronica desde os 7 anos. hoje tenho 29 e quando ouvi essa track um mes atras fiquei sem acreditar como eu perdi tanto tempo da minha vida. desde então sou fã desse gênio oculto.

[@Tiagofostim]

Esse é um dos melhores instrumentais que já escutei! Essa música é de 1992 e eu sou de 2002 mas parece que eu vivi aquela época pq me deu uma nostalgia enorme! Sou muito ligado a música e amei as melodia desse som, tipo um mix de sensações!

[@vendefruta00]

Me deixa feliz saber que existem outros brasileiros que partilham do mesmo gosto que o meu. O Aphex Twin é um gênio, sinto que o Richard criava suas músicas com o intuito de gerar emoções, porque cada música que ouço dele me traz uma sensação diferente. E essa, sem sombra de dúvidas, é uma das mais incríveis que ele já produziu, porque pode estar associada a vários sentimentos para quem ouve. De longe um dos melhores artistas eletrônicos que já existiu.

[@archangel4597]

Richard really managed to capture the inherent beauty of natural electromagnetism tbh . everything in this track feels like its sparkling, like a crystal

[@stalkek]

Probably my favourite track of his. Compared to so much of his later stuff - more simple, more soul.

[@IKynZeaK]

listening to this on a really good bluetooth speaker, on a big boulder aside the waves clashing and just looking at the sky full of star, the lucky thing is that there is not much light pollution so the sky is ungodly clear and as you and your best friend are just here smoking on a blunt that is not too harsh and just enough to feel your body float and ascend to a greater world where the only things you care are about space philosophy and debate. It's to this day one of the best night I've ever lived thru (even if some other friends didn't feel the same and felt like brainrot debate was a better thing to do) I will never forget this experience or for the vibe giver that made everything possible : Aphex twin

[@AldenDoble]

@ikynzeak2967 that sounds like an amazing core memory to have. I hope it's one among many more to come as you live out the rest of your life 🫶🏻

[@SPQRCMXII]

awesome vibe

[@charmustdiee]

i remember showing this song to a really close friend of mine while we were walking around an empty festival season downtown chicago. the shimmers in the river almost seemed to match up with the twinkly synths and i fell in love with life again

[@zolyx5395]

This song feels like you're a janitor at a swimming pool that's closed for the day.

[@HarrisonMessias]

I absolutely love this song, I can listen to it on repeat for days and never get bored. For me this song is my soundtrack for life. As today is my birthday and I'm here listening to this masterpiece to calm me through this rollecoaster of life

[@Yeoldelole]

You said it perfectly

[@jcrisp90]

music to exist to.

[@ClamsCEDH]

track still feels new its amazing fr

[@ClamsCEDH]

only 31 years old jesus

[@vico805]

he has crazier tracks also from this era

[@travisbickle8008]

3:05 beautiful and unexpected u-turn

[@MaatStile]

if hope, dreams, expectations, in a positive way were translated into music, so soothing and ethereal, something you can't grasp your head around, yet, it feels so familiar, as it was a feeling, a sound you've always knew. this is xtal for me

[@TheMidnightBandit]

This feels like waking up before everyone else to see the overcast and fog suffocating the brick buildings. You percolate a cup of coffee and sit in the darkness, shaking off the dreams of the earliest reach of slumber. You hesitate to turn to screens for stimulation. You soak in the silence.

[@vico805]

wow

[@michaelconnolly7681]

I love how this whole record feels. Some of the tracks sound half asleep yet half awake. None of the tracks are the same yet they incorporate so well together. I see the whole record as one incredible recording. Xtal is sublime, deeply trippy yet focused. It's wonderful listening to it.

[@shanexx8508]

The disbelief when i found out xtal was made in the 90s is unexplainable

[@vico805]

yeah Richard was way ahead of his time with his music!

[@Iofflight78]

It's possible it's even older than that. There is a tape from 1989 with XTAL on the notes. So possibly written when Richard was 18.

[@shanexx8508]

@@Iofflight78 incredible

[@xgskrillax]

this is exactly what i'm experiencing right now

[@Soulrollsdeep]

Why? It was the definitive decade for great music. The last, in fact. It was the beginning of the end in reality, but it all felt magical, never ending and enriched the soul. The creativity was everywhere and we can largely thank electronic music for that, and sampling... Sampling played a massive part as it ensured everyone was perpetually looking back, whether they knew it or not. What an era.

[@oraxge]

This was way ahead of its time

[@oraxge]

yup, even crazier now

[@vico805]

definitely I wasn’t even born yet haha

[@Mishkabelly]

Everyday for over a year I've listened to this before I go to work and it's never not relaxed me.

[@hare9702]

happy birthday, legendary man

[@gabrieltamburri5692]

Ok..in 1993 was in Montreal canada..and just was discharged from the army..I went a club called metropolis on st Catherine st..and said to my father this is my new hobby..now it is my new song to my woman that resides in Switzerland..maybe...it has always calmed me down and made me feel alive in my travels and creativity in somexway..thankyou gentleman .It was my final song..after I left the new rave scene in San Francisco 1993..that was the end

[@andyscrap6871]

This song gave me chills in the whole body, feels like someone is massaging my head. Incredible!

[@mylifesogood217]

such an odd feeling. As if all the difficulties of life are left somewhere behind when listening, you just lie in your bed and talk about life. Nothing worries you.

[@UsernameDell]

Man this song brings me so much joy :D

[@pici5533]

The best morning shower song. Pure Bliss.

[@menzosoft2]

Hmm really nice music. Peace and calm. I wonder if those "Aphex Twins" made some more music. I bet they make very "chilled out" music. Yeah I would love to hear more of their music, must be very undergroud.

[@intergalacticdial4967]

@Menzo Berranzan you're joking aren't you? If not glad you discovered him :)

[@televisionandcheese]

haha if this is your first introduction to aphex twin, then it certainly is a good one

[@Vingul]

I do wonder who the other Aphex Twin is ;- ) but FYI, Aphex Twin is one dude.

[@laurabrenton7537]

Ha! Just watched that Coachella reviewer clip - hilarious. And she had the whole experience, too, without knowing it.

[@filmjazz]

@@Vingul Google Aphex Aural Exciter to see what the “other” Aphex is. It’s a piece of studio gear originally released in 1975 :)

[@furley-3681]

Definition of Nostalgia and bright future

[@grin9ly]

i remember when i was listening to this in my sisters car when she visited (yes, i like to chill in the car sometimes for no reason when its not blazing) but this song came on and i had my head resting on the doors armrest and the sun was on my face, warm. i open my eyes and just watch the leaves gently sway in the light breeze from a tree that was shading said car. the sunrays would leak thrugh the gaps between the leaves and it felt magical, spiritual. i wanted to stay like that forever. listening to xtal in my sisters car, watching the leaves sway.

[@LRM5195]

The female voice in this is the cherry on top for me

[@fieldmalik]

this one of the best songs ever made

[@sillyguy29uh11]

It's like, like blissful bliss

[@BasketCase]

Blissfully blissful bliss..?

[@sillyguy29uh11]

@@BasketCase yeah, like that

[@vico805]

indeed

[@erickstotle4285]

Im probably going to update this comment for a while I want to articulate what this song invoked in me! A special feeling I felt as a child. Perhaps Spiritual, a feeling of renewal. Remember waking up every day and feeling that excitement of a new day as a child. This is what the song invokes. A nostalgia of childhood.

[@Errcyco]

Listening to this shit on a night hike with clear skies and good company was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. The morphine probably helped too.

[@silovitipanj4958]

I'm gay

[@vladyslavselin]

Ahead of our time

[@merdefilms3837]

he will always be ahead of his time, we will never create someting like this again

[@meowmyr]

being gay is definitely so far ahead of one’s time

[@7rritorialpisschrist]

Ahead of their time

[@Gencoil]

Ok Tingle.

[@finngeometry7570]

The amatuer feel of the mixing only adds to this songs charm. 10/10.

[@Hologhoul]

When you hear some really old tracks it shows how loudness wars and the like are a bit silly, depending on the context and how you listen to music. No-one listens to magic like this and picks it apart, it just sounds great.

[@n.abramishvili5341]

Don’t ask who’s here in 2021, because we never left ))

[@weatherkop]

@Are you a Hutu or a Tutsi? You have been blessed with good taste. May that blessing be your guide. Godspeed

[@n.abramishvili5341]

2024 still bumping in the morning

[@isaac4thewin]

I literally said "hey Google, play a song I can smoke weed to" and this came up :D nice I wouldnt mind listening to while I'm having psychedelics

[@qpost-channel]

Isaac4thewin well thank google fro bringing you here

[@FruitloopLeviathan]

dmt

[@Iris-su2wx]

Cap

[@lomanoneill7299]

That synthline so simple yet so optimistic its unreal

[@williammarshburn]

lol. thats your pal thinking about how they can make your trip the best

[@radicallarry777]

This song never gets old

[@dertntboyzockthd_yt9809]

I get a good mood from the song somehow

[@sad_lands]

Эта связка - мой личный секрет успеха, и я не могу не рассказать об этом всем!

[@withallduerespectcompletely]

Way way ahead of the time. It's like God spoke through his creativity.

[@peacefulcupid]

Beautiful sounds.

[@NicholasOsella]

The most irresistible song I have ever heard. If I start playing it, I have to finish.

[@WarWarriorx]

When I'm at the most awakened state that I can, I feel like this song.

[@CarryThatWeight]

Трудно поверить, что этот трек вышел в 1992 году

[@nonentity7709]

в этом вся прелесть тогдашних музыкантов, которые писали IDM.. настолько футуристические работы. столько скилла..

[@zerla6018]

И не говори

[@mms_ua]

Согласен

[@tsunamipapi1343]

liar .

[@tsunamipapi1343]

this is an absolutely insane song

[@mrstardian]

SO BEAUTOFUL AND AMZAING

[@Mondarín-Records]

My first time hearing this track was in also the first time smoking weed with my older bro... 3 years later i still find peace in this piece. My dad even slept to this album once :D

[@kramerius2219]

yummers

[@elliotchristie2476]

I ascend everytime I listen to this track

[@vico805]

especially after a toke of that green

[@sclitchmusic]

This song feels like when u randomly wake up at 3am in the morning and u can't get back to sleep

[@Thia-lm4tw]

Listening to this at 11:31 pm after one of the most traumatic events of my life has never made me feel so empty yet so full

[@vico805]

AFX tracks like these make me be at awe how good this music really is haha

[@jorgepeterbarton]

this is the song that helps with the glorius headfuck of seeing the artist Aphex Twin live last year so that my brain doesn't explode after

[@vico805]

if I ever saw Aphex Twin I would remember that shit forever!

[@Cheezwizzz]

Thx Andy for introducing me to this album!!

[@JS-tp3lb]

This track gives me power

[@markwilson4052]

It was 1993 when I first heard this. On a Tape deck, in a mate’s new place - he’d moved to a farm in Sussex( converted pig sty) .listened whilst stoned looking at the stars on a clear night.

[@Thesavageeye]

In love with this tune

[@vico805]

it’s a good one!

[@flashpapa]

I prefer the original with the low notes to the clear sound of the remastered version, the fantasy that the boy fumbled with the tape and created is wonderful!