Aphex Twin Reveals New EP, Drops First Single in Five Years, “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f”

by Michael Ryan · Published June 21, 2023

Things have been too normal for the past five years, haven't they?

On the longest day of the year, Aphex Twin has ushered in the summer solstice with his first official release in half a decade. His new single, "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f," sees the most mysterious figure in electronic music take fans on a languid, dreamlike voyage.

Opening up the track with muted, resonating keys, Aphex Twin introduces trippy pads and brisk breaks as the intensity of its percussion increases. He then shifts gears in the latter half of the arrangement, wherein the drums are syncopated in masterful fashion to let his nuanced sound design shine before a haunting coda.

Take a listen to "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" below.

[embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=mEkZbWYUego[/embed]

The track will appear on a brand new Aphex Twin EP, Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760. Scheduled to release on July 28th via Warp Records, the new body of work will feature artwork from longtime collaborator Weirdcore and will comprise four tracks: "zin2 test5," "in a room7 F760," "Blackbox Life Recorder 22 [Parallax Mix]," and the aforementioned lead single.

Aphex Twin's first EP since 2018's Collapse, Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760 is scheduled to release on July 28th, 2023 on Warp Records. You can preorder vinyl and CD prints here.