{{Use British English|date=January 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox album | name = Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 | type = EP | artist = [[Aphex Twin]] | cover = Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP.jpg | alt = A grey background featuring white monospace text in the upper-left corner and a black circle slightly off centre to the right. Inside the circle a white logo is visible and "Aphex Twin - - Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2" is written in a block white monospace typeface; to the right of the white text, a barcode is visible as well as other miscellaneous text. | released = {{Start date|2015|01|23|df=yes}} | recorded = | studio = | genre = *[[Breakbeat]]<ref name="gdn" /> *[[avant-garde jazz]]<ref name="exc" /> | length = {{Duration|m=27|s=56}} | label = [[Warp (record label)|Warp]] | producer = [[Aphex Twin|Richard D James]] | prev_title = [[Syro]] | prev_year = 2014 | next_title = [[Orphaned Deejay Selek 2006–08]] | next_year = 2015 }}
'''''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2''''' is an [[extended play]] record by the British [[electronic music]] artist and producer [[Aphex Twin]]. It was released on 23{{nbsp}}January 2015 on [[Warp (record label)|Warp]]. It is meant as a companion piece to his fifth studio album, ''[[Drukqs]]'' (2001).
It received mixed reviews and placed in several international [[record chart]]s, including the United States ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] chart, where it peaked at number one.
==Background== ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt.2'' features acoustic sounds such as [[prepared piano]], drums, and wood and metal percussion, controlled electronically.<ref name="p4k"/> James considers it the successor to his 2001 album ''[[Drukqs]]'':<blockquote>Part 1 is ''Drukqs'', as that was the first thing I released that utilised computer controlled instruments, namely a modified [[Yamaha Disklavier]], 2nd gen and a couple of [[MIDI|midi]] controlled solenoid based drum mechanisms I made just after I got the Disklavier.<ref>{{cite web|author1=aphextwin|authorlink1=Aphex Twin|title=Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]|url=https://soundcloud.com/richarddjames/diskhat-all-prepared1mixed-snr2mix|website=SoundCloud|publisher=SoundCloud|accessdate=14 April 2015|date=February 2015}}</ref></blockquote> The EP extends the ideas of its predecessor, according to Mark Richardson of ''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]'', who noted that "where James used to offer his [[Electroacoustic music|electro-acoustic]] pieces as a showcase for lyrical melodies, about half the music here consists of crisply arranged beats, with loping drum lines that occasionally veer toward [[funk]]".<ref name="p4k"/> Much of the album features [[breakbeat]] backing.<ref name="gdn" /> ''[[Exclaim!]]'' stated that most tracks "fall under the label of [[avant-garde jazz]] — some of it experimental and way out there — while other parts are coherent enough to sneak into the darker corners of [[Ninja Tune]]'s back catalogue."<ref name="exc" />
==Release== ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' was announced for release on 9 January 2015 on [[Warp (record label)|Warp]]{{'}}s official website.<ref name="warp">{{cite web|url=http://warp.net/records/aphex-twin/computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep|title=Aphex Twin / Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP|publisher=[[Warp (record label)|Warp]]|date=9 January 2015|accessdate=9 January 2015}}</ref> The track listing, worldwide release date and a list of available release formats were published on [[Bleep.com]] alongside [[pre-order]]s of the EP. Released worldwide on 23 January, ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' was made available as a [[12-inch single|12-inch record]] pressed on 140-gram [[Gramophone record|vinyl]], a [[Digipak]] [[Compact disc|CD]] and a [[Music download|digital download]] in various digital formats, including [[MP3]], [[WAV]] and [[FLAC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleep.com/release/56481-aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP|website=[[Bleep.com]]|date=9 January 2015|accessdate=9 January 2015}}</ref> An alternative mix of the EP's opening track—"Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]"—was made available for [[Streaming media|stream]] and MP3 download on [[Aphex Twin|Richard D James]]{{'}} official [[SoundCloud]] account a day prior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/01/22/download-a-new-aphex-twin-track-diskhat-all-prepared1mixed-snr2mix|title=Download a new Aphex Twin track, 'Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]' – Music News, New Music|website=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|date=22 January 2015|accessdate=22 January 2015}}</ref>
In Japan, ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' was released on Beat Records and sold 3,627 physical copies in its first week of release.<ref name="beat">{{cite web|url=http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Aphex-Twin/BRE-50|title=Warp Records / Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP|website=Beatink|language=Japanese|accessdate=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202164126/http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Aphex-Twin/BRE-50/|archive-date=2 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="jp">{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2015-02-02/p/3 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201221313/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2015-02-02/p/3/ |title=オリコン週間 CDアルバムランキング 2015年01月19日～2015年01月25日 21～30位 |trans-title=Oricon Weekly CD Album Index: 19 January 2015–25 January 2015 – Places 21–30 |website=[[Oricon]] |language=Japanese |archivedate=1 February 2015 |accessdate=1 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The EP was particularly successful on the independent charts in Ireland and the United Kingdom; it peaked at number 8 on both the [[Irish Independent Albums Chart]] and the [[UK Indie Chart|UK Independent Albums Chart]],<ref name="ie">{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240007&arch=t&lyr=2015&year=2015&week=5|title=Top 10 Independent Artist Albums, Week Ending 29 January 2015|website=[[Chart-Track]]|accessdate=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202154011/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240007&arch=t&lyr=2015&year=2015&week=5|archive-date=2 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="uk1">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20150125/131/|title=2015-01-31 Top 40 Independent Albums Archive|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=1 February 2015}}</ref> as well as entering at number 7 on the UK [[Official Record Store Chart|Official Record Store Albums Chart]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/record-store-chart/20150125/530/|title=2015-01-31 Top 40 Official Record Store Albums Archive|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=1 February 2015}}</ref> where it peaked at number 4 in its third week of release.<ref name="uk2">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/record-store-chart/20150201/530/|title=2015-02-07 Top 40 Official Record Store Albums Archive|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=9 February 2015}}</ref> ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' placed in three separate [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' charts]] in the US. It fared well on the [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] chart, entering at number 4 in its first week of release and peaking at number 1 the following week;<ref name="us1">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aphex-twin/chart-history/elp/|title=Aphex Twin – Chart history: Dance/Electronic Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=21 August 2018}}</ref> the EP also entered the [[Billboard charts#Albums|Tastemakers Albums]] chart at number 24 and placed at number 10 in its second week.<ref name="us2">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aphex-twin/chart-history/tas/|title=Aphex Twin – Chart history: Tastemaker Albums|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=21 August 2018}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Music ratings <!-- Aggregate scores --> | MC = 64/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt-2-ep/aphex-twin|title=Reviews for Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments, Pt. 2 [EP] by Aphex Twin|website=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=6 February 2015}}</ref> <!-- Reviewers --> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="am">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep-mw0002811698|title=''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments, Pt. 2'' – Aphex Twin | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|website=[[AllMusic]]|last1=Kellman|first1=Andy|date=26 January 2015|accessdate=27 January 2015}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' | rev2score = 7/10<ref name="cm">{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2 | Reviews|website=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|last=Martin|first=Felicity|date=26 January 2015|accessdate=26 January 2015}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'' | rev3score = 8/10<ref name="dis">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18612/reviews/4148655|title=Ep Review: Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 / Releases|website=[[Drowned in Sound]]|last=Bland|first=Benjamin|date=29 January 2015|accessdate=30 January 2015|archive-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130232453/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18612/reviews/4148655|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Exclaim!]]'' | rev4score = 6/10<ref name="exc">{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/aphex_twin-computer_controlled_acoustic_instruments_pt_2|title=Aphex Twin: Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2|website=[[Exclaim!]]|last=Keating|first=Daryl|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'' | rev5score = {{Rating|2|5|full=Disc Plain red.svg|half=Cercle rouge 100%.svg|empty=Plain Disc 40% grey or 20% black.svg|rating=disc}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/02/03/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2|title=Aphex Twin: ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2''|website=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|last=Finlayson|first=Angus|date=3 February 2015|accessdate=7 February 2015}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | rev6score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="gdn">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/23/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-review|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 review: 'Sometimes unlistenably irritating' | Music|website=[[The Guardian]]|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=23 January 2015}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[NME]]'' | rev7score = 6/10<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/aphex-twin--2/15898|title=Reviews – Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt 2|website=[[NME]]|last=Pattison|first=Louis|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=23 January 2015}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev8score = 8.3/10<ref name="p4k">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20156-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep|title=Aphex Twin: Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP | Album Reviews|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Richardson|first=Mark|date=27 January 2015|accessdate=27 January 2015}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Resident Advisor]]'' | rev9score = 3.3/5<ref name="ra">{{cite web|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=16357|title=RA Reviews: Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP on Warp Records (Single)|website=[[Resident Advisor]]|last=Rothlein|first=Jordan|date=28 January 2015|accessdate=30 January 2015}}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' | rev10score = 7/10<ref name="spin">{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-ep2|title=Review: Aphex Twin Takes Us to His Toy Factory on 'Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2' EP|website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|last=Weiss|first=Dan|date=3 February 2015|accessdate=5 February 2015}}</ref> }} At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' received an average score of 64, based on 17 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="mc" />
Felicity Martin of ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' called the EP "a difficult but enriching document [that is] compiled of often-jarring, disjointed instruments," noting the "really interesting part of this extended play—it's not about making the robots feel human, but feeling as though you're in the room with them, whirring about around you."<ref name="cm" /> In his review for the ''[[NME]]'' Louis Pattison referred to the EP as "true, manufactured [[pop music]]" due to the instrumentation being "played not by human hands, but by signals zipping around circuit boards." He added that "as a challenge—to his audience, and to himself [...] it succeeds admirably.".<ref name="nme" /> For ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'', Benjamin Bland referred to the EP as "a welcome reminder of James's ability to utilise decidedly [[avant-garde]] ideas in a manner that, although acutely alien to our idea of musical normality, is nevertheless engaging and inspiring." Bland also regarded the EP as "highly listenable, no less so than ''[[Syro]]''".<ref name="dis" /> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' writer Mark Richardson praised the EP but called it "a release for established fans."<ref name="p4k" />
''[[Exclaim!]]'' writer Daryl Keating offered a mixed review, describing the EP as "the compositional scribblings of a sleepless man".<ref name="exc" /> ''[[Resident Advisor]]''{{'}}s Jordan Rothlein's review described the EP as "a moody set that sounds a bit like either [[Tom Waits]] instrumentals, a [[gamelan]] ensemble going pop, or maybe just some bits from ''Syro'' played back at a fraction of their original speed." Rothelin added that "though there's a certain pleasure in listening to an artist figure things out, a full 28 minutes feels like overkill."<ref name="ra" /> Writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Ben Beaumont-Thomas was highly critical of the EP, saying that "if ''Syro'' was an inquisitive [[artificial intelligence]] ... then [this EP] is like the organic consciousness it was drawn from, its owner now tinkering with jigsaws in a retirement home."<ref name="gdn" /> [[AllMusic]] was almost entirely negative; reviewer Andy Kellman wrote that "nothing is particularly energizing ... the EP should be approached like a sequel—with low expectations."<ref name="am" />
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' track listing | all_writing = [[Aphex Twin|Richard D James]] | title1 = diskhat ALL prepared1mixed 13 | length1 = 5:22 | title2 = snar2 | length2 = 0:20 | title3 = diskhat1 | length3 = 2:26 | title4 = piano un1 arpej | length4 = 0:50 | title5 = DISKPREPT4 | length5 = 1:53 | title6 = hat 2b 2012b | length6 = 1:25 | title7 = disk aud1_12 | length7 = 0:10 | title8 = 0035 1-Audio | length8 = 0:26 | title9 = disk prep calrec2 barn dance [slo] | length9 = 4:22 | title10 = DISKPREPT1 | length10 = 3:30 | title11 = diskhat2 | length11 = 0:38 | title12 = piano un10 it happened | length12 = 1:48 | title13 = hat5c 0001 rec-4 | length13 = 4:46 | total_length = 27:56 }} The track length above is valid for CD, digital download and vinyl played on 33 rpm.<br />
{{Track listing | headline = 2017 re-release bonus tracks | title14 = diskhat ALL prepared1mixed [snr2mix]diskhat ALL prepared1bmixed [snr2mix],e,ru,+4 | length14 = 5:22 | title15 = diskhat ALL [snr2mix] [fast],e,+3 | length15 = 4:52 | title16 = DISKLVPRPT1 Equinox barn dance[fast] | length16 = 2:20 | total_length = 40:30 }}
==Personnel== All personnel credits adapted from ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2''{{'}}s album notes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2|others=[[Aphex Twin]]|year=2015|type=Liner notes|publisher=[[Warp (record label)|Warp]]|id=WAP375}}</ref>
'''Performer''' *[[Aphex Twin|Richard D James]] – keyboards, percussion, programming, [[Record producer|production]]
'''Technical personnel''' *Beau Thomas – [[Audio mastering|mastering]]
'''Design personnel''' *[[The Designers Republic]] {{small|(credited as "MITDR™")}} – design, cover art *Atsushi Sasaki – liner notes {{small|(Japanese CD edition only)}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2|others=[[Aphex Twin]]|year=2015|type=Liner notes|publisher=Beat Records|id=BRE-50}}</ref>
==Chart positions== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Chart performance for ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2015) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| [[Ultratop|Belgian Albums Chart]] ([[Flanders]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/40db3/Aphex-Twin-Computer-Controlled-Acoustic-Instruments-Pt2|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=Dutch|accessdate=30 January 2015}}</ref> | 80 |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums Chart ([[Wallonia]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/album/40db3/Aphex-Twin-Computer-Controlled-Acoustic-Instruments-Pt2|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2|publisher=Ultratop|language=French|accessdate=30 January 2015}}</ref> | 166 |- ! scope="row"| [[Irish Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2015&year=2015&week=5|title=Top 100 Artist Albums, Week Ending 29 January 2015|website=[[Chart-Track]]|accessdate=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040201/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2015&year=2015&week=5|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 32 |- ! scope="row"| [[Irish Independent Albums Chart]]<ref name="ie" /> | 8 |- ! scope="row"| [[Oricon Albums Chart|Japanese Albums Chart]]<ref name="jp" /> | 24 |- ! scope="row"| [[UK Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20150125/7502/|title=2015-01-31 Top 40 Official Albums Chart UK Archive|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=1 February 2015}}</ref> | 36 |- ! scope="row"| [[UK Indie Chart|UK Independent Albums Chart]]<ref name="uk1" /> | 8 |- ! scope="row"| [[Official Record Store Chart|UK Official Record Store Albums Chart]]<ref name="uk2" /> | 4 |- ! scope="row"| [[Dance/Electronic Albums|US ''Billboard'' Dance/Electronic Albums]]<ref name="us1" /> | 1 |- ! scope="row"| [[Independent Albums|US ''Billboard'' Independent Albums]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aphex-twin/chart-history/ind/|title=Aphex Twin – Chart history: Independent Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=21 August 2018}}</ref> | 24 |- ! scope="row"| [[Tastemaker Albums|US ''Billboard'' Tastemaker Albums]]<ref name="us2" /> | 10 |}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Release history and formats for ''Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2'' ! scope="col" style="width:8em"| Region ! scope="col" style="width:8em"| Date ! scope="col" style="width:16em"| Format(s) ! scope="col" style="width:4em"| Label ! scope="col" style="width:4em"| Catalogue |- ! scope="row"| Various<ref name="warp" /> | rowspan="2"| 23 January 2015 | [[12-inch single|12-inch]], [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]] | [[Warp (record label)|Warp]] | WAP375 |- ! scope="row"| Japan<ref name="beat" /> | CD, digital download | Beat | BRE-50 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Discogs master|785340|type=album}} *{{MusicBrainz release group|mbid=cdf3513c-f1c0-48aa-b48b-194c03c5dae9|type=album}}
{{Aphex Twin}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:2015 EPs]] [[Category:Aphex Twin EPs]] [[Category:Warp Records EPs]]