{{UBE|date=March 2024}} {{DMY|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = Collapse EP | type = EP | artist = [[Aphex Twin]] | cover = Collapse (EP).jpg | alt = | released = 14 September 2018 | genre = {{hlist|[[Electronic music|Electronic]]<ref name="pitchfork" />|[[Footwork (genre)|footwork]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Aphex Twin - Collapse EP. |url=https://bleep.com/release/106868-aphex-twin-collapse-ep |website=Bleep |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref>|[[jungle music|jungle]]<ref name=Ter18>{{Cite web |last=Terhune |first=Chang |date=12 August 2018 |title=Aphex Twin :: Collapse EP & "T69 Collapse" video (Warp) |url=https://igloomag.com/newswire/aphex-twin-collapse-t69-video-warp |website=Igloo Magazine |language=en-US |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624025106/https://igloomag.com/newswire/aphex-twin-collapse-t69-video-warp |url-status=live }}</ref>|[[techno]]<ref name=Ter18/>|}}<!-- Source genres --> | length = 28:52 | label = [[Warp Records|Warp]] | producer = [[Aphex Twin|Richard D. James]] | prev_title = [[Cheetah (EP)|Cheetah]] | prev_year = 2016 | next_title = [[Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760]] | next_year = 2023 | misc = {{Singles | type = EP | name = Collapse EP | single1 = T69 Collapse | single1date =7 August 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aphex Twin: "T69 Collapse" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/aphex-twin-t69-collapse/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125163132/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/aphex-twin-t69-collapse/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }} }}
'''''Collapse EP''''' is an [[extended play|EP]] by the British [[electronic music]] artist Richard D. James under the pseudonym [[Aphex Twin]]. It was released on 14 September 2018 on [[Warp (record label)|Warp]]. The record received universal acclaim from [[music journalism|music critics]], who praised James for returning to his signature "Aphex Twin" sound.
== Release == In late July 2018 stylised Aphex Twin logo posters appeared in [[London]]'s [[Elephant & Castle tube station|Elephant and Castle station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/30/aphex-twin-elephant-and-castle-mystery-logos|title=Mystery images at tube station hint at new Aphex Twin album|last=Snapes|first=Laura|date=30 July 2018|website=The Guardian|accessdate=7 August 2018}}</ref> By August, the same logo was found in various cities, such as [[Los Angeles]], [[New York City]], and [[Tokyo]]. At the same time, a since-removed [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] listing for ''Collapse'' stated the release date to be 14 September 2018.
On 5 August 2018 Warp Records issued a press release via Twitter; an image of a document digitally obscured with the same Aphex Twin logo found days earlier. When edited, the document contained nonsensical, rambling sentences, such as "Y'wd Aphex Twin The legendary summer for this summer of love! love epoch, global phenomlomenamental", including words written in [[Cornish language|Cornish]], similar to track titles from James' 2001 album ''[[Drukqs]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/WarpRecords/status/1026106153346973697|title=Warp Records on Twitter|work=Twitter|accessdate=7 August 2018|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809015535/https://twitter.com/WarpRecords/status/1026106153346973697|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 7 August 2018 [[Adult Swim]] was scheduled to broadcast a track from ''Collapse'', but ultimately cancelled as the track's music video failed the [[Harding test]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twins-adult-swim-premiere-canceled-for-failing-epilepsy-test/|title=Aphex Twin's Adult Swim Premiere Canceled for Failing Epilepsy Test {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=6 August 2018|accessdate=7 August 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030957/https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twins-adult-swim-premiere-canceled-for-failing-epilepsy-test/|url-status=live}}</ref> The music video for "T69 collapse" was released later that day through the Aphex Twin [[YouTube]] channel,<ref>{{cite web|title=Aphex Twin – T69 Collapse|website=[[YouTube]]|date=7 August 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqayDnQ2wmw|accessdate=8 August 2018|archive-date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807144207/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqayDnQ2wmw|url-status=live}}</ref> with Warp Records stating the music video, as well as the metropolitan logo posters, were created by London-based video designer Weirdcore.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://weirdcore.tv/2018/08/07/aphex-twin-collapse-ep-artwork/|title=APHEX TWIN – COLLAPSE EP – ARTWORK {{!}}|website=weirdcore.tv|accessdate=8 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://weirdcore.tv/2018/08/07/aphex-twin-collapse-video/|title=APHEX TWIN – COLLAPSE VIDEO {{!}}|website=weirdcore.tv|accessdate=8 August 2018|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718115039/http://weirdcore.tv/2018/08/07/aphex-twin-collapse-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> Weirdcore told Fast Company's DJ Pangburn that to make the "T69 Collapse" video, he processed collaged 3D scans of Cornwall using Transfusion.AI, an After Effects plugin with machine learning algorithms that recompose images or video based on another media's style.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90216189/how-aphex-twins-t69-collapse-video-used-a-neural-network-for-hallucinatory-visuals|title=How Aphex Twin's "T69 Collapse" video used a neural network for hallucinatory visuals|date=9 August 2018|work=Fast Company|accessdate=21 August 2018|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025023007/https://www.fastcompany.com/90216189/how-aphex-twins-t69-collapse-video-used-a-neural-network-for-hallucinatory-visuals|url-status=live}}</ref> Pre-orders for vinyl, CD and cassette copies of ''Collapse'' were made available on this day via the Aphex Twin store page,<ref>{{cite web|title=Aphex Twin – Collapse EP. Vinyl EP, CD. Aphex Twin.|url=https://aphextwin.warp.net/release/106968-aphex-twin-collapse-ep|accessdate=8 August 2018|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919120345/https://aphextwin.warp.net/release/106968-aphex-twin-collapse-ep|url-status=live}}</ref> and online store [[Bleep.com|Bleep]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Aphex Twin – Collapse EP. Vinyl EP, CD. Bleep.|url=https://bleep.com/release/106868-aphex-twin-collapse-ep|accessdate=8 August 2018}}</ref> The music was leaked on the internet on 13 August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hasitleaked.com/2018/aphex-twin-collapseep/|title=Aphex Twin : Collapse EP album download|website=hasitleaked.com|date=11 August 2018 |accessdate=14 August 2018}}</ref>
== Critical reception == {{Music ratings | MC = 82/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/collapse-ep/aphex-twin |title=Reviews for COLLAPSE [EP] by Aphex Twin |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=13 September 2018}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |last=Simpson |first=Paul |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/collapse-mw0003203597 |title=Aphex Twin – Collapse |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=13 September 2018 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723171605/https://www.allmusic.com/album/collapse-mw0003203597 |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' | rev2score = A−<ref name="cos">{{cite web |last=Ham |first=Robert |url=https://consequence.net/2018/09/album-review-aphex-twin-collapse/ |title=Aphex Twin Simmers and Boils on the Remarkable Collapse EP |work=[[Consequence of Sound]] |date=11 September 2018 |access-date=11 September 2018 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814193438/https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/09/album-review-aphex-twin-collapse/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'' | rev3score = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20436/reviews/4152022 |title=Ep Review: Aphex Twin - Collapse |last=Turner-Heffer |first=Adam |date=14 September 2018 |website=[[Drowned in Sound]] |accessdate=19 September 2018 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919094418/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20436/reviews/4152022 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Exclaim!]]'' | rev4score = 8/10<ref name="exclaim">{{cite web |last=Keating |first=Daryl |url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/aphex_twin-collapse |title=Aphex Twin – Collapse |work=[[Exclaim!]] |accessdate=13 September 2018 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414130034/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/aphex_twin-collapse |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' | rev5score = 8/10<ref name="tlobf">{{cite web |last=Bray |first=Jack |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/aphex-twin-collapse-album-review |title=Aphex Twin's Collapse EP is an unmissable return to form |work=[[The Line of Best Fit]] |accessdate=13 September 2018 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313113714/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/aphex-twin-collapse-album-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[NME]]'' | rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="nme">{{cite web |last=Connick |first=Tom |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/aphex-twin-collapse-ep-review |title=Aphex Twin – 'Collapse' EP review |work=[[NME]] |date=13 September 2018 |accessdate=13 September 2018 |archive-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013145704/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/aphex-twin-collapse-ep-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev7score = 8.1/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |last=Sherburne |first=Philip |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/aphex-twin-collapse-ep/ |title=Aphex Twin – Collapse EP |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |accessdate=17 September 2018 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022205221/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/aphex-twin-collapse-ep/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[PopMatters]]'' | rev8score = 8/10<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web |last=Stasis |first=Spyros |url=https://www.popmatters.com/aphex-twin-collapse-review-2604370048.html |title='Collapse' Is Another Testament to Aphex Twin's Brilliance |work=[[PopMatters]] |date=13 September 2018 |accessdate=13 September 2018 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925174636/https://www.popmatters.com/aphex-twin-collapse-review-2604370048.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Resident Advisor]]'' | rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=ResAdvi>{{cite web |last=Hawthorn |first=Carlos |url=https://ra.co/reviews/23033 |title=Aphex Twin – Collapse EP |work=[[Resident Advisor]] |accessdate=14 September 2018}}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' | rev10score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="slantmag">{{cite web |last=Goller |first=Josh |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/aphex-twin-collapse |title=Aphex Twin – Collapse |work=[[Slant Magazine]] |accessdate=6 September 2018 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912022015/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/aphex-twin-collapse |url-status=live }}</ref> }} ''Collapse'' was met with universal acclaim from [[music journalism|music critics]]. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalised]] rating out of 100 reviews from mainstream critics, the extended play received an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 82, based on 15 reviews.<ref name="metacritic" /> Most critics noted the release for incorporating trademark Aphex Twin sounds similar to his previous releases.<ref name="allmusic" /><ref name="popmatters" /> Paul Simpson from [[AllMusic]] lauded the "ironically titled" record which showcases a return to Aphex Twin's signature "ultra-glitchy beats and childlike melodies",<ref name="allmusic" /> contrary to Robert Ham from ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' who was less impressed with the familiarity and lack of surprise and shock in the songs. Alternatively, he praised the element of control within the tracks which came to "recognizable signatures at the center of the entropic sound that seems to be coming apart in real time."<ref name="cos" />
The individual tracks on ''Collapse'' were received positively by critics, with Daryl Keating of ''[[Exclaim!]]'' labelling the songs as "absolute gems" and Carlos Hawthorn from ''[[Resident Advisor]]'' feeling that each track had "moments abstract enough to grab your attention and human enough to keep it."<ref name="exclaim" /><ref name=ResAdvi/> Writing for ''[[NME]]'', Tom Connick described the record as "music for [[Max Rockatansky|Mad Max]]'s post-apocalyptic parties [...] a [[Mad Hatter|mad-hatter]]'s box of tricks, blown up and reconstructed" and called it Aphex Twin's "most essential" release in years.<ref name="nme" /> ''[[Slant Magazine]]''{{'}}s Josh Geller was surprised with how "warm and inviting" ''Collapse'' sounds, whose "dense bursts of intricate glitch to expansive, ambient soundscapes" makes it feel like a "more elaborate musical journey than its mere five tracks."<ref name="slantmag" />
Critics also compared the record to Aphex Twin's 2014 album, ''[[Syro]]'': Andy Cush from ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' found ''Collapse'' matching closely to the ambition and structural shifts found in the album, while Spyros Statis of ''[[PopMatters]]'' wrote that the record "interchanges the ''Syro'' sound with a range of dissonant ideas and disfigured rhythmic patterns."<ref name="spin" /><ref name="popmatters" /> Cush later acknowledged that ''Collapse'' is more willing to "follow those shifts to even more hazardous locales"; most songs start at "relative normalcy" before moving "growing out of control" and breaking down.<ref name="spin">{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/09/aphex-twin-collapse-ep-review/ |title=Aphex Twin's Surprisingly Ambitious Collapse EP Proves He's as Restless As Ever |last=Cush |first=Andy |date=18 September 2018 |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919114313/https://www.spin.com/2018/09/aphex-twin-collapse-ep-review/ |archive-date=19 September 2018 |accessdate=20 September 2018}}</ref> ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]''{{'}}s Jack Bray instead compared ''Collapse'' to Aphex Twin's ''[[Cheetah (EP)|Cheetah]]'' EP, feeling that ''Collapse'' was a more confident release than the latter despite lasting for a shorter period. He particularly praised the musical arrangement on the record, which he observed was "packed with ideas" and "represents some of the finest and most varied to be found across any of [Aphex Twin's] projects".<ref name="tlobf" /> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''{{'}}s Philip Sherburne saw that unlike Aphex Twin's previous releases, the music on ''Collapse'' "moves on a wider scale" with a "real sense of violence", but manages to stay "relatively unscathed" due to Twin's mastery of "juggling precision and chaos".<ref name="pitchfork" />
== Track listing == {{Track listing | headline = ''Collapse EP'' track listing | title1 = T69 Collapse | length1 = 5:22 | title2 = 1st 44 | length2 = 6:09 | title3 = MT1 t29r2 | length3 = 6:04 | title4 = abundance10edit[2 R8's, FZ20m & a 909] | length4 = 6:20 | title5 = pthex{{efn|"pthex" does not appear on the vinyl version of ''Collapse''.}} | length5 = 4:57 | total_length = 28:52 }}
{{Track listing | headline = aphextwin.warp.net exclusive track | total_length = 35:31 | title6 = t69 collapse [durichroma] | length6 = 6:39 }}
== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Chart performance for ''Collapse EP'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- {{album chart|Oricon|28|date=2018-09-24|rowheader=true|accessdate=25 September 2018}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|7|date=20180921|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 September 2018}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|88|artist=Aphex Twin|album=Collapse %5BEP%5D|rowheader=true|accessdate=26 September 2018}} |- {{album chart|UK2|11|date=20180921|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 September 2018}} |- {{album chart|UKDance|4|date=20180921|rowheader=true|accessdate=24 September 2018}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|113|artist=Aphex Twin|rowheader=true|accessdate=25 September 2018}} |- {{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|2|artist=Aphex Twin|rowheader=true|accessdate=25 September 2018}} |}
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Aphex Twin}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:2018 EPs]] [[Category:Aphex Twin EPs]] [[Category:Warp Records EPs]]