Blackbox Life Recorder 21f explained

Blackbox Life Recorder 21f
Cover:Aphex Twin - Blackbox Life Recorder 21f.png
Type:single
Artist:Aphex Twin
Ep:Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760
Released:21 June 2023
Length:4:23
3:32 (Parallax mix)
Label:Warp
Prev Title:3 Gerald Remix / 24 TSIM 2
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:
  1. 19
Next Year:2024

"Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" is a track by the British electronic music artist and producer Aphex Twin. It was first released as the lead single in promotion of the EP Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760, his first new music under the Aphex Twin alias in five years since 2018's Collapse EP.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The EP also contains an alternate "Parallax mix" as the final track on the record.[6]

Background

The track was initially teased on SoundCloud on the day of its release, before being officially released on streaming services before quickly being removed, only for it to gain popularity on major demand-side platforms; a YouTuber's upload was quickly taken down.[7] [8] [9] Around the same time, streaming service Deezer posted details for the EP the track will be on, which was also deleted; the EP and track was officially announced through Bandcamp through Warp Records.[10]

Reception

Pitchfork described the track as having some of the most gentle synth-work Aphex Twin has made in "ages", with "analog-sounding drum machines", "snares and rimshots so dry they're practically vacuum-sealed", and noting that "nagging breakbeats poke and prod" with crash symbols and soft, ruminative synths being found throughout the track, with the ending of the track being described as "somber ambience". Overall it was called similar to the track "T69 Collapse" from the Collapse EP.[11]

According to Stereogum, the track is a "heady, lovely, blur of a song" with drum programming that encourages dancing.[12]

BrooklynVegan noted the track featured many of the "glitchy" trademarks of Richard D. James music but "is almost poppy, with an infectious, danceable beat that never flies off the rails."[13]

Music video

The official music video was released on 31 July 2023 on YouTube, directed by visual artist Weirdcore.[14] There is a dedication at the end of the video to James' late parents, Derek and Lorna.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geraghty . Hollie . 2023-06-21 . Aphex Twin announces new EP, shares first track 'Blackbox Life Recorder 21f' . 2023-06-22 . NME . en-GB.
  2. Web site: Aphex Twin Details New EP, 'Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In A Room7 F760' . 2023-06-22 . The Quietus . en-us.
  3. Web site: 2023-06-21 . Aphex Twin Announces EP, Shares New Song "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" . 2023-06-22 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  4. Web site: Young . Alex . 2023-06-21 . Aphex Twin announces new EP . 2023-06-22 . Consequence . en-US.
  5. Web site: Ramkumar . Kat . Aphex Twin Announces New EP, Shares New Song "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" . 2023-06-22 . www.undertheradarmag.com . en.
  6. Web site: Murray . Robin . 2023-06-21 . Aphex Twin Returns With 'Blackbox Life Recorder 21f' . 2023-06-22 . Clash . en-GB.
  7. Web site: Groves . Will . 2023-06-21 . Aphex Twin releases Blackbox Life Recorder 21, his first official new music in 5 years - then immediately deletes it . 2023-06-22 . MusicRadar . en.
  8. Web site: Aphex Twin announces EP, shares first new song in five years . 2023-06-22 . . en.
  9. Web site: Aphex Twin reveals upcoming EP 'Blackbox Life Recorder 21f' on Warp Records . 2023-06-22 . Mixmag.
  10. Web site: Aphex Twin reveals new EP, shares first track · News ⟋ RA . 2023-06-22 . Resident Advisor . en.
  11. Web site: Sherburne . Philip . Aphex Twin: "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" . 2023-06-22 . . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2023-06-21 . Aphex Twin Shares First New Music In Five Years, "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" . 2023-06-22 . . en.
  13. Web site: Aphex Twin announces new EP – listen to "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f". BrooklynVegan. Pearis. Bill. 21 June 2023. 22 June 2023.
  14. Web site: Munroe . Jazz . 2023-07-31 . Aphex Twin Shares New Video for "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f": Watch . . 5 August 2023 . en.