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Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023)

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Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023)
The cover art of Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023), showing a variety of images of James with the text "Aphex Twin" in gold.
Compilation album by
Aphex Twin
Released17 December 2024
Genre
Length155:56
LabelWarp
ProducerRichard D. James
Aphex Twin chronology
Selected Ambient Works Volume II (Expanded Edition)
(2024) 		''Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023)''
(2024)

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.

Background

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2016–2017

[edit]

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

[edit]

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] Another 12-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]

Composition

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"Nightmail"
A track originating from Orphans and London 14.09.2019. "Nightmail" features repetitive vocal loops and melodies reminiscent of acid music.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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]

Release

[edit]

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

[edit]

All tracks written and produced by Richard D. James.

Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023) track listing
No.TitleOriginal releaseLength
1."no stillson 6 cirk"Houston, TX 12.17.1610:49
2."no stillson 6 cirk mix2"Houston, TX 12.17.169:59
3."42DIMENSIT3 e3"London 03.06.174:42
4."MT1T1 bedroom microtune"London 03.06.173:48
5."T18A pole1"London 03.06.173:44
6."T03 delta t"London 03.06.174:01
7."em2500 M253X"London 03.06.171:52
8."T23 441"London 03.06.172:52
9."42DIMENSIT10"London 03.06.173:07
10."T20A ede 441"London 03.06.172:38
11."MT1T2 olpedroom"London 03.06.171:57
12."T47 smodge"London 03.06.171:41
13."sk8 littletune HS-PC202"London 03.06.172:28
14."T13 Quadraverbia N+3"London 03.06.173:17
15."T16.5 MADMA with nastya"London 03.06.174:58
16."T17 Phase out +3"London 03.06.174:25
17."15T63 neotek 2h949 +3 [bonus beats]"London 03.06.171:36
18."T08 dx1+5"London 03.06.176:43
19."T69T07 stasspa+3"London 03.06.175:15
20."T05 tx16w marion MT***,e [sketches]"London 03.06.174:04
21."T46 se70 rinseout2 [sketches]"London 03.06.172:22
22."ZT01 [sketch1]"London 03.06.173:08
23."21TXT1+4 ds8 flngchrods[sketch0.1b]"London 03.06.173:49
24."Spiral Staircase (AFX Remix)" (featuring Luke Vibert, AFX)London 14.09.20195:05
25."4x Atlantis Take 1"London 14.09.20193:49
26."Nightmail"London 14.09.20195:04
27."Soundlab20"London 14.09.20196:57
28."pretend analog extmix 2b,e2,ru"Manchester 20.09.20195:26
29."rozzboxv2mam+4"Manchester 20.09.20194:33
30."umil 25-01[a]"Manchester 20.09.20194:47
31."midi pipe2c edit, +3"Manchester 20.09.20194:09
32."rfc pt8"Barcelona 16.06.20234:16
33."afxfm e"Barcelona 16.06.20232:57
34."korg funk5"London 19.08.20233:21
35."korg 1b ru,ec,e"London 19.08.20233:02
36."SOOG e"London 19.08.20233:28
37."body pads"London 19.08.20232:53
38."dgitne tst1e"London 19.08.20232:54
Total length:155:56

Notes

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  1. ^ "umil 25-01" was previously released as a bonus track for Orphaned Deejay Selek 2006–08.[31]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Young, Alex (18 December 2016). "Aphex Twin performs first US show in eight years at Day For Night Festival -- watch". Consequence. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Aphex Twin announces first US show in eight years". NME. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  3. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (17 December 2016). "Aphex Twin Sells Mysterious New Record in Houston". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  4. ^ Young, Alex (17 December 2016). "Aphex Twin releases surprise 12-inch vinyl at Day For Night Festival". Consequence. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b Muk, Isaac (17 December 2024). "Aphex Twin releases surprise 38-track compilation 'Music From The Merch Desk (2016-2023)'". Mixmag. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  6. ^ a b Gibsone, Harriet (28 November 2016). "Aphex Twin to play first UK show in five years at Field Day festival". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  7. ^ Yeung, Vivian (3 June 2017). "Aphex Twin drops one-off vinyl exclusive at Field Day". Crack Magazine. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  8. ^ Coultate, Aaron (5 June 2017). "Warp Records releases new Aphex Twin record at London's Field Day festival · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  9. ^ Plaugic, Lizzie (21 July 2017). "Aphex Twin launches micro streaming service full of Aphex Twin songs". The Verge. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  10. ^ a b McDermott, Matt. "Aphex Twin opens online store with new EP and over 40 unreleased bonus tracks · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  11. ^ Hawthorn, Carlos (3 August 2017). "AFX / Luke Vibert - Orphans · Single Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  12. ^ Felding, Amy (18 June 2019). "Aphex Twin locked for first London club show in over 10 years". DJ. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  13. ^ Hoban, Alex (19 September 2019). "Aphex Twin at Printworks, London: still one of the greatest electronic shows on earth". NME. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  14. ^ Unicomb, Matt (11 October 2019). "Aphex Twin - Soundlab20 · Single Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  15. ^ Wray, Daniel Dylan (23 September 2019). "Aphex Twin brings nightmare visions of Vera Duckworth and raging rhythms to Manchester's new Warehouse Project". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  16. ^ a b Lawson, Michael (16 December 2024). "Aphex Twin drops surprise compilation, Music From The Merch Desk (2016-2023) · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  17. ^ Buckle, Becky (16 February 2023). "Sónar Barcelona finalises 30th anniversary line-up with Aphex Twin and Little Simz". Mixmag. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  18. ^ a b Quietus, The (21 August 2023). "Aphex Twin Releases Limited Edition Record At Field Day". The Quietus. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e Ryce, Andrew (9 January 2025). "Aphex Twin: Music From the Merch Desk (2016 - 2023)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  20. ^ Arcand, Rob (24 January 2023). "Aphex Twin to Headline London's Field Day Festival". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  21. ^ Buckle, Becky (23 August 2023). "Aphex Twin's Field Day vinyl exclusive is now selling for hundreds on eBay". Mixmag. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  22. ^ a b Murray, Robin (16 December 2024). "Aphex Twin Confirms New Compilation 'Music From The Merch Desk'". Clash. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Aphex Twin Music From The Merch Desk". Hit Channel. 17 December 2024. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d Doran, John (18 December 2024). "Aphex Twin: Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023) review – Santa's sack overspills with AFX bounty". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b Hudson, Alex (6 January 2025). "'Music from the Merch Desk (2016 - 2023)' Has Perfect Playlist Fodder for All Types of Aphex Twin Fan". Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  26. ^ Monroe, Jazz (17 December 2024). "Aphex Twin Releases Surprise New Compilation Music From the Merch Desk". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  27. ^ Spanos, Brittany (16 December 2024). "Aphex Twin Announces New Compilation 'Music From the Merch Desk'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  28. ^ Fu, Eddie (16 December 2024). "Aphex Twin to drop new compilation Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023)". Consequence. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  29. ^ Dov, Yotam (17 December 2024). "Aphex Twin shares 'Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023)' album". We Rave You. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Aphex Twin 'Music From The Merch Desk' Out Now". Sonicstate. 17 December 2024. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  31. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (4 September 2015). "Aphex Twin Shares New AFX Track "umil 25-01"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
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