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Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023)
2024 compilation album by Aphex Twin From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023) is a compilation album by British electronic music artist and producer Richard D. James, released under the alias of Aphex Twin. The album was released without announcement on 17 December 2024 through Warp Records. It compiles a number of James' tracks exclusively released on vinyl at his live performances. The album's artwork came from a bootleg T-shirt, which was eventually resold by Warp as official merchandise.
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Background
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2016–2017
The first of the many releases that would make up Music from the Merch Desk started at an Aphex Twin concert at a festival in Houston, Day for Night.[1] James was announced to perform at the festival on 13 September 2016, leading to him performing on 17 December.[2] A 12-inch vinyl record with white artwork, the Aphex Twin and Warp Records logos and the text Houston, TX 12.17.16 was found to be being sold as merchandise during the concert.[3] The record contained two tracks;[4] while originally untitled, the tracks were named "no stillson 6 cirk" and "no stillson 6 cirk mix2" on James' webstore and on Music from the Merch Desk.[5]
On 27 November 2016, James was announced as a headliner at Field Day 2017.[6] The concert was scheduled to take place on 3 June 2017.[6] Similarly to 2016, another 12-inch vinyl record was being sold as merchandise for the concert. The record came in a green unmarked sleeve, an Aphex Twin branded bag and contained 11 tracks.[7] The record sold out by 2pm.[8]
A webstore that hosted James' music was opened on 20 July 2017.[9] In addition to releasing London 03.06.17 and other bonus tracks from the release,[10] a digital 4-track EP titled Orphans was made available.[10] Two mixes of "Spiral Staircase" by Luke Vibert were included, along with "Nightmail" and "4x Atlantis take1".[11]
2019–2023
James was announced to be performing at Printworks on 14 September 2019.[12][13] Another vinyl record was sold, containing the contents of Orphans alongside a new track titled "Soundlab20".[14] James also performed at The Warehouse Project on 20 September;[15] a four-track vinyl record was made available during this concert.[16]
On 16 June 2023, James performed during the Sónar festival in Barcelona.[17] A 10-inch vinyl record was released at the festival which featured two tracks; "rfc pt8" and "afxfm e".[18][5][19] Finally, on 19 September, James performed at 2023's Field Day.[20] A limited edition 12-inch in a pink record sleeve[21] was sold at the concert; this release contained five tracks.[18]
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Composition
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Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023) has been described as electronic,[19][22] experimental[23] and dance.[24] In a review for The Guardian, John Doran discussed tracks such as "Nightmail", calling it a "late-90s hardcore battle weapon" and commenting on its "hypnotic vocal loop".[24] Doran commented on the track "T13 Quadraverbia N+3", saying it contained "very jolly, extremely flanged hyperpop". The review also noted the track "Soundlab20" and its resemblance to Syro, and "em2500 M253X" having resemblance to the composition of Drukqs.[24]
In a review for Pitchfork, Andrew Ryce commented on tracks such as "T20A ede 441", calling it "as hyperactive as something off Drukqs".[19] The track "rfc pt8", taken from Barcelona 16.06.2023, was described by Ryce as a "psychedelic acid odyssey".[19] "Nightmail" contains acid lines and "feverish" vocal loops, which Ryce compared to earlier music published by James under the AFX alias.[19] A review of the compilation by Alex Hudson of Exclaim! discussed tracks such as "T16.5 MADMA with nastya", calling it a "mellow" track and commenting on its use of reverb, reminiscent of Selected Ambient Works 85-92.[25] The "free time echoes" of "sk8 littletune HS-PC202" were also reminiscent of Selected Ambient Works Volume II, Hudson stated.[25]
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Release
Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023) was listed on streaming platforms on 16 December 2024,[26] before officially being released on 17 December 2024, with no prior announcement, through Warp Records.[16][27][22] The compilation was made available on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, making it the first time the tour material has been available on these services.[28][29]
The artwork for the release was based on a bootleg T-shirt design.[23][24] This design was later taken by Warp and sold during Aphex Twin concerts as official merchandise.[30]
Track listing
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All tracks written and produced by Richard D. James.
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Notes
- "umil 25-01" was previously released as a bonus track for Orphaned Deejay Selek 2006–08.[31]
References
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