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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
Recorded2016[1] – 2023[2]
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. The album is made up of a number of James' tracks released on vinyl at his live performances which were not previously available on streaming services. The cover art originated from a bootleg T-shirt, which was eventually resold by Warp as official merchandise.

Background

[edit]

All of the tracks on Music from the Merch Desk had been previously released at James' live performances between 2016 and 2023 as limited edition vinyl records.[1][2][3][4] These limited edition vinyl releases started at James' performance at Day for Night, with a release titled Houston, TX 12.17.16.[5] Other such limited records were released at James' performances during 2017, 2019 and 2023 in London, 2019 in Manchester, and 2023 in Barcelona.[6]

Most of these releases, with the exception of Barcelona 16.06.2023 and London 19.08.2023 had been released digitally on James' webstore.[7][8]

The artwork for the release was based off of a bootleg T-shirt design.[9] This design was later re-used and sold by Warp during James' live performances as official merchandise.[10]

Composition

[edit]

Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023) has been described as electronic,[11] experimental[9] and dance.[12] 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".[12] 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.[12]

Release

[edit]

Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023) was listed on streaming platforms on 16 December 2024,[13] before officially being released on 17 December 2024, with no prior announcement, through Warp Records.[14][15][11] 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.[16][17]

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"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

References

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  1. ^ a b Brandle, Lars (19 December 2016). "Aphex Twin Makes Rare U.S. Festival Appearance, Sells Mysterious New Record". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b Eede, Christian (21 August 2023). "Aphex Twin Releases Limited Edition Record At Field Day". The Quietus. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  3. ^ Skinner, Tom (17 December 2024). "Aphex Twin surprise releases new compilation 'Music From The Merch Desk (2016-2023)'". NME. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  4. ^ Spice, Anton (5 June 2017). "Aphex Twin's Field Day white label hits Discogs for vast sums". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. ^ Jenke, Tyler (17 December 2024). "Aphex Twin Shares Surprise Compilation, 'Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023)'". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Aphex Twin releasing new compilation, Music from the Merch Desk". Treble Zine. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  7. ^ Plaugic, Lizzie (21 July 2017). "Aphex Twin launches micro streaming service full of Aphex Twin songs". The Verge. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  8. ^ McDermott, Matt. "Aphex Twin opens online store with new EP and over 40 unreleased bonus tracks · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Aphex Twin Music From The Merch Desk". Hit Channel. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Aphex Twin 'Music From The Merch Desk' Out Now". Sonicstate. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b Murray, Robin (16 December 2024). "Aphex Twin Confirms New Compilation 'Music From The Merch Desk'". Clash. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b c 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.
  13. ^ Monroe, Jazz (17 December 2024). "Aphex Twin Releases Surprise New Compilation Music From the Merch Desk". Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Spanos, Brittany (16 December 2024). "Aphex Twin Announces New Compilation 'Music From the Merch Desk'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  16. ^ Fu, Eddie (16 December 2024). "Aphex Twin to drop new compilation Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023)". Consequence. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  17. ^ Dov, Yotam (17 December 2024). "Aphex Twin shares 'Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023)' album". We Rave You. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
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