Aphex Twin ‘Caustic Window’ Review: Richard D. James shelved 1994 Album has finally been released. Was it worth the wait? 

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It’s been rough being a devoted Aphex Twin (real name Richard D. James) in the 21st century. He hasn’t put out any new material in over a decade, and has been mum on any future plans.

So it’s a pleasant surprise, and a minor miracle that the electronic music pioneer’s unreleased 1994 album ‘Caustic Window’ is finally seeing the light of day. It’s been an interesting and odd journey, befitting all things Richard D. James; a mysterious test pressing surfaced online on E-bay, selling for the jaw dropping amount of  $13,500(?!?!)

Electronic music forum We Are The Music Makers came to the rescue, negotiating the price down to $8,368.54 (USD) (?!?!). And with the help of a Kickstarter campaign, supporters can snag a digital copy for $16.00, amidst other details.

And now you can listen to ‘Caustic Window’ on YouTube. There have been various reasons discussed as to why it’s been delayed, but the real question is, was it worth the wait (and for those who forked over $, the expense)?

Listen to ‘Caustic Windows’ on YouTube below:

I’ve listened to ‘Caustic Window’ incessantly the past few days, and what it hammers home with its glitchy beats, is that James’s electronic voice has been sorely missed. In an era of vanilla, empty calorie EDM, electronic music has been given a bad wrap. And deservedly so, because no one is doing the crazy quilt synth wizardry that James is capable of creating.

I recently discussed the 20th anniversary of James’s landmark album ‘Selected Ambient Works Vol. II‘, and how that album still sounds as alien, unique and timeless as it did back in 1994.

This is unusual for someone working in electronic music; because whatever synth or sequencer you use one year becomes out of date when the next model comes along.

But James often created his own gear, and just has a knack for wrangling weird noises out of conventional equipment.

And that’s what makes ‘Caustic Window’ such a pleasure to hear. It has everything you’ve missed about Aphex Twin, from all his various eras and indulgences. ‘Flutey’s’ synth-flute trilling, and the undulating, tranquil ‘Rainbows’ sound just as luxuriantly intoxicating as anything off ‘Ambient Works.’

But James’s explores his heavy metal electro assault too; ‘Cunt’ is just as harsh and rude as its title; militant beats, and laser beam atmospherics.

‘Phlaps’ conjures up the synaptic firing violence of ‘Come To Daddy’ and ‘Windowlicker’, all acrid smoke and metallic tang.

Click here to see which Aphex Twin videos made our Top 10 Creepiest Music Video List

The eerie, seasick ‘Stomper 101mod Detunekik’ recalls the mysterious textures of James’ musical alter ego ‘Polygon Window’, and ‘AFX Tribal Kik’ simultaneously goofs on House music, while still making a kick ass dance track.

Another of Aphex Twin’s calling cards is his antisocial mischief, and that’s paramount on ‘Popeye’, which sounds like a mix of video game sound fx and children toys conjoined in a cartoonish melody. And this infectious, childish demeanor extends to tracks featuring crank calls from James himself.

‘Caustic Window’ has 14 tracks but it flies by, and retains that mystifying, bewitching quality that Aphex Twins fans have been jonesing for. Electronic music has been boring for far too long. We need James to inject his lopsided weirdness into it again. But until he decides to rejoin the current musical landscape, this will help tide us over.