Squarepusher first became well known in the late 1990s for mixing breaks with jazz, funk, and experimental sounds. Albums like ‘Feed Me Weird Things’ helped define a style that was both technical and emotive. Since then, he has released music that ranges from intense, high-speed electronic tracks to quiet, thoughtful bass guitar pieces. Regardless of the genre, his music demonstrates his ability as both a producer and a live musician.

‘Kammerkonzert’, which means “chamber concert” in German, has a definite classical influence. This time round, Squarepusher blends his usual electronic beats with sounds inspired by chamber music – a form of classical music written for small instrumental ensembles. Despite the classical influence on this record, Jenkinson’s TR-808 still takes on a pretty prominent role in tracks like ‘K2 Central’ – a welcome familiarity for fans of his more technical, electronic work.

The record features 14 tracks, each with titles that begin with the letter “K.” While the names may seem simple, the music itself is carefully arranged. The songs mix electronic programming with careful arrangement which leads the record away from the club setting, and towards more of a contemporary classical atmosphere. Even so, fans will still appreciate the rhythm and high-production value that have always been part of Squarepusher’s sound. The record feels both futuristic and traditional at the same time.

However, this will come as no surprise to fans of Jenkins’ work as throughout his career, Squarepusher has refused to stay in one lane. From IDM breakbeats to jazz-inspired bass playing and more abstract electronic projects, he constantly pushes the envelope and his technical proficiency has landed him in the same ilk as Aphex Twin, Venetian Snares and Autechre.. This new album continues is no dfifferent. It shows Jenkins is still willing to experiment, even after decades in the industry.

‘Kammerkonzert’ is officially set for release on April 10 on Warp Records. However, the record is available for pre-order on both CD and vinyl, including a 4 panel remus wallet and a 2LP gatefold. Warp Records often offers special editions or limited pressings for fans through their own shop and partner stores, so fans may be expecting more formats to be announced.

Amidst the wheeze of idiosyncratic synth leads, gooey bass parps and skittish yet hyper-danceable polyrhythmic drum programming, AFX manages to conjure one of his most delicate melodies to date, at times it even sounds as if RDJ’s synthesised and re-pitched his own voice, embedding himself within the tracks groove as though he were an audible apparition haunting ear drums from beyond the rave. The singles cover artwork (as well as the EP) was created in tandem with frequent AFX collaborator Weirdcore. The digital sleeve depicts what appears to be a mosaic of Menger Sponges festooned with Aphex Twin’s legendary logo.

The release of “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f” came after a slew of opaque online occurrences that were ostensibly orchestrated by the Cornish musician. Earlier this year what began as message board murmurings and group chat rumours of a headline appearance at Field Day Festival 2023 were confirmed when a new website entitled 190823.co.uk popped up online.

Curious Aphex acolytes who clicked the web link were rewarded with a wash of undulating pixels dribbling down their screens before morphing into a digital poster adorning the illustrious Irish ‘IDM’ composers iconic ideogram (7\) confirming him as one of Field Day Festival’s co-headliners alongside fellow British beat-mangler Bonobo. Warp Records divulged further, posting a nine date UK/EU Summer tour poster across their socials.

After a five year musical hiatus spent pursuing a plethora of other projects, including programming a sound design app, teaming up with tech companies to create experimental micro-tonal software synth plugins and even releasing his very own AFX NFT (complete with secret audio info encrypted within) the proceeds of which went towards “planting trees and donating to permaculture projects“, RDJ has been busy boy indeed.

The Blackbox Life Recorder 21f/In a Room7 F760 EP consists of four tracks and will be released on July 28th through Warp Records.

There tracks are listed as follows:

1. “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f”

2. “zin2 test5″

3. “In a room7 F760″

4. “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f [Parallax Mix]”

You can pre-order your copy here:

https://aphextwin.warp.net/release/399837-aphex-twin-blackbox-life-recorder-21f-in-a-room7-f760EP Pre-order info

With the EU tour leg well underway, Aphex Twin will return at the tail end of the summer for his first live performances on UK soil since 2019.

You can acquire tickets via this link: https://ra.co/dj/aphextwin/tour-dates

Heres the UK 2023 summer tour dates:

19/08/2023 – Field Day Festival – London

02/09/2023 – Forwards Festival – Bristol