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Beat by Beat Review: Aphex Twin's Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 is an Interlude in Which Some Music Happens

Think Sterling Archer dropping a metal bowl.

Let's get one thing straight: you will not enjoy Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2, the all-too-soon follow-up to Richard D James' 2014 marvel, Syro. The immediate instinct, once heard front to back, is to stuff it into the deepest confines of your subconscious and let it fade into oblivion, never to be remembered again. Lacking in purpose, you will find it impossible to love. Lacking in controversy, you will find it even more impossible to hate. Simply put, it is an interlude in which some music happens.

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You might be thinking that Aphex Twin has never disappointed, but you'd be wrong. Drukqs, the last studio release before his 13-year hiatus, was a shocking flop. Even Syro wasn't without its share of less-than-genius moments. Is Richard D James brilliant? Unquestionably. But he's not perfect. This is where Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 comes in.

At certain points ("diskhat1," "disk prep calrec2 barn dance [slo]") you will feel like Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 is really gaining its footing, finishing what it started. Then the moment will pass as it pulls a piano melody or breakbeat drumkit out of an increasingly-tiresome bag of tricks.

Syro b-sides? Leftovers from the Syro sessions? The Amnesiac to its Kid A? The Oral Fixation Vol. 2 to its Fijación Oral, Vol. 1? Think of Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 as a palate cleanser. Any piece of work that followed up Syro was destined to be put under the microscope, so why wouldn't Richard James use this opportunity as a means to clear his mind of ideas and wipe our ear-brains clean. In this sense alone, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 can be understood.

1. "diskhat ALL prepared1mixed 13"
At five minutes and thirty two seconds, "diskhat ALL prepared1mixed 13" is the longest and most complete track on Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2. Embracing sinister notes with open arms, it will undoubtedly be your favourite track of the EP.

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2. "snar2"
Think Sterling Archer dropping a metal bowl. It's so similar in fact that both audio clips are the exact same length.

3. "diskhat1"
This song will have you scrunching your nose, bobbing your head, and thinking that this is the point where things really come into their own. A minute later, you will purse your lips.

4. "piano un1 arpeg"
Another interlude, this time it's mostly piano.

5. "DISKPREPT4"
In an attempt to seem edgy, people who only listened to the first half of Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 will tell you that "DISKPREPT4" is their favorite track. Entranced by its hypnotic loops, off-key notes, and spontaneous breakdowns, you will be inclined to believe them until you remember the rest of the set and realize that they're full of shit.

6. "hat 2b 2012b"
If you think that this song sounds remarkably like an amalgamation of the five tracks before it, that's because it does. There's the drumkit; here's some heavy use of loops; oh, and here's that one out of key note again.

7. "disk aud1_12"
What can I say about an eight-second interlude after so many came before it?

8. "0035 1-Audio"
Like "hat 2b 2012b," but less fulfilling. Drumkit, meet triangle.

9. "disk prep calrec2 barn dance [slo]"
This is really the stand-out track on Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2. It will hypnotize you, make you think, and will end with a crash as abruptly as it came into your life.

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10. "DISKPREPT1"
At this point, I started to get seriously upset because this would be a brilliant song if so many of its components hadn't appeared in every song preceding it. Delightful and inquisitive are the only words to describe it.

11. "diskhat2"
Remember "diskhat1," "hat 2b 2012b," and "0035 1-Audio?" You will now.

12. "piano un10 it happened"
If Yo Yo Ma ever released music on Warp.

13. "hat5c 0001 rec-4"
This will seem unique until you listen to "diskhat ALL prepared1mixed13" again.

Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 isn't without its charming elements. At times, percussion will punch you in the jaw and leave a big smile on your face. At times, Richard D James' hypnotic loops and piano will entrance you. Then, you remember that this same man made "Windowlicker" and it will all fall short.

Ziad Ramley is on Twitter.