{{Short description|British electronic musician (born 1971)}} {{Redirect|Richard D. James|the materials scientist|Richard D. James (scientist)|the American art director|Richard D. James (production designer)}} {{Use British English|date=March 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Aphex Twin | image = Aphex Twin 2.jpg | caption = James performing in March 2007 | image_size = 240px | landscape = yes | birth_name = Richard David James | alias = {{flatlist| *AFX *Caustic Window *Polygon Window *The Tuss *Bradley Strider *Phonic Boy on Dope *Karen/Brian Tregaskin *Power-Pill}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|8|18|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Limerick]], Ireland | origin = [[Cornwall]], England | genre = {{flatlist| *[[Electronic music|Electronic]] *[[techno]] *[[acid (electronic music)|acid]] *[[Ambient techno|ambient]] *[[Intelligent dance music|IDM]] *[[Jungle music|jungle]] *[[Experimental music|experimental]] *[[drill 'n' bass]]}} | instruments = {{flatlist| *Synthesiser *piano *turntables *drum machine *[[music sequencer|sequencer]] *[[Sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]] *laptop}} | discography = {{flatlist| *[[Richard D. James discography|Discography]] *[[List of compositions by Richard D. James|compositions]] }} | occupations = {{flatlist| *Musician *record producer *composer *DJ}} | years_active = 1988–present | label = {{flatlist| *[[Warp Records|Warp]] *[[Rephlex Records|Rephlex]] *[[Apollo Records (Belgium)|Apollo]] *[[R&S Records|R&S]] }} | past_member_of = [[Mike & Rich]] | website = {{URL|aphextwin.warp.net}} }} '''Richard David James''' (born 18 August 1971), known professionally as '''Aphex Twin''',<ref name=Verge15>{{cite web |last1=Byford |first1=Sam |title=Aphex Twin returns again, this time as AFX |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/3/8888833/afx-new-music-warp-aphex-twin |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=5 May 2020 |language=en |date=3 July 2015 |quote=Richard D. James goes by a lot of pseudonyms, most famously Aphex Twin and next most famously AFX |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112433/http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/3/8888833/afx-new-music-warp-aphex-twin |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AFX - Information|url=https://warp.net/artists/91412-afx/info|website=[[Warp Records|Warp]]|access-date=8 October 2021|quote=Richard D. James is known most prominently as Aphex Twin. Second among his aliases, ahead of relatively less used tags like Polygon Window, Caustic Window, and the Tuss, is AFX.|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008154857/https://warp.net/artists/91412-afx/info|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{efn|James has recorded under a wide number of lesser known aliases, including AFX, Caustic Window, Polygon Window, and the Tuss.}} is a British <!--- DO NOT CHANGE TO IRISH: see Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography#Context--> musician, composer and DJ active in [[electronic music]] since 1988. His idiosyncratic work has drawn on many styles, including [[techno]], [[ambient music|ambient]], [[acid (electronic music)|acid]], and [[jungle music|jungle]],{{refn|<ref name=FACT50best/><ref name="Clay14">{{cite news |last1=Clay |first1=Joe |title=Aphex Twin: Syro |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/aphex-twin-syro-dbz90jcsfxc |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |date=20 September 2014 |language=en |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719121324/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/aphex-twin-syro-dbz90jcsfxc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Brake14>{{cite web |last1=Brake |first1=David |title=Down the Rabbit Hole: Entering the Universe of Aphex Twin |url=https://www.passionweiss.com/2021/06/22/aphex-twin-beginners-guide/ |location=Los Angeles |website=Passion of the Weiss |access-date=4 May 2020 |date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622201114/https://www.passionweiss.com/2021/06/22/aphex-twin-beginners-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=DummySep14/><ref name="ElecBeats18">{{cite web |title=Sound Portraits: The Creativity Of Aphex Twin |url=https://www.electronicbeats.net/the-feed/this-podcast-explores-the-staggeringly-creative-genius-of-aphex-twin/ |website=Electronic Beats |access-date=19 July 2021 |date=27 April 2018 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719121324/https://www.electronicbeats.net/the-feed/this-podcast-explores-the-staggeringly-creative-genius-of-aphex-twin/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and he is closely associated with the [[intelligent dance music]] (IDM) genre.<!--cited in Musical Style and Influences section-->{{efn|James has dismissed the IDM label as "nasty," and his label [[Rephlex Records]] coined the alternate term "braindance,"<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-4486-338581|title=Various Artists : The Braindance Coincidence|work=[[NME]]|first=James|last=Oldham|date=12 September 2005|access-date=2 April 2017|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726063142/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-4486-338581|url-status=live}}</ref> though IDM became the more widely-known term.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pattinson |first1=Louis |title=A Look Back at Aphex Twin & Grant Wilson-Claridge's Rephlex Records |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/label-profile/rephlex-records-best-releases |website=Bandcamp Daily |date=2 May 2017 |access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="gross" />}} Journalists from publications including ''[[Mixmag]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[NME]]'', ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]],'' ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' and ''[[The Guardian]]'' have called James one of the most influential and important artists in contemporary electronic music.{{refn|name=Most|<ref name=Green19>{{cite magazine|last=Green|first=Thomas H.|date=12 December 2019|title=Aphex Twin: Inside the Mythology of the MDMA Mozart|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/aphex-twin-warp-30|magazine=[[Mixmag]]|quote=He's often called the most important electronic musician of his generation|location=London|publisher=Wasted Talent Ltd|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=1 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701153433/https://mixmag.net/feature/aphex-twin-warp-30|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Sanneh01>{{cite news|last1=Sanneh|first1=Kelefa|title=Old-Fashioned Sounds From Masters of Electronica|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/04/arts/music-old-fashioned-sounds-from-masters-of-electronica.html|access-date=2 May 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=4 November 2001|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414172132/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/04/arts/music-old-fashioned-sounds-from-masters-of-electronica.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=JonesNME14>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Lucy|title=Aphex Twin's 'Caustic Window' album: Was It Worth £40K?|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/aphex-twins-caustic-window-album-was-it-worth-40k-769602|access-date=2 May 2020|work=[[NME]]|location=London|date=17 June 2014|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020120237/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/aphex-twins-caustic-window-album-was-it-worth-40k-769602|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Fourfour17>{{cite magazine|date=11 May 2017|title=Fact or Fiction: 7 Stories About Aphex Twin|url=https://fourfourmag.com/fact-or-fiction-7-stories-about-aphex-twin/|magazine=Four/Four Magazine|location=Dublin|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818151616/https://fourfourmag.com/fact-or-fiction-7-stories-about-aphex-twin/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=FactAFXday>{{cite magazine|date=14 April 2017|title=It's Aphex Twin Day at FACT!|url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/aphex-twin-day-april-14-2017/|magazine=[[Fact (UK magazine)|FACT]]|location=London|publisher=Vinyl Factory Publishing Ltd|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710183849/https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/aphex-twin-day-april-14-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Clash06>{{cite magazine|date=2 May 2006|title=Aphex Twin Interview|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/aphex-twin-interview|magazine=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|location=London|publisher=Clash Media Group|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812114529/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/aphex-twin-interview|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=lester>{{cite news|first=Paul |last=Lester |title=Tank boy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2001/oct/05/artsfeatures3 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=5 October 2001 |access-date=14 June 2008 |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610133038/http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0%2C%2C734809%2C00.html |archive-date=10 June 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Skala18>{{cite magazine|last=Skala|first=Jemima|date=13 September 2018|title=Reviews/Aphex Twin – Collapse EP|url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/ep/aphex-twin-collapse-ep|magazine=[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]|location=Edinburgh|publisher=Radge Media Ltd|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116043812/https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/ep/aphex-twin-collapse-ep|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Baltin14>{{cite magazine|last=Baltin|first=Steve|date=28 August 2014|title=Is Aphex Twin the Most Important Electronic Music Artist of All Time?|url=https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/is-aphex-twin-the-most-important-electronic-music-artist-of-all-time/|magazine=[[Insomniac (promoter)|Insomniac]]|location=Los Angeles|publisher=Insomniac Holdings LLC|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710183850/https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/is-aphex-twin-the-most-important-electronic-music-artist-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CohenGL14>{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Ian|date=23 September 2014|title=Everything You Wanted to Know About Aphex Twin But Were Afraid to Ask|url=https://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-aphex-twin-but-were-afraid-to-ask-before-todays-release-of-syro/|magazine=[[Grantland]]|location=Los Angeles|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922145827/https://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-aphex-twin-but-were-afraid-to-ask-before-todays-release-of-syro/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Sani20>{{cite web|last=Sani|first=Niko|date=10 April 2020|title=Aphex Twin Releases New Tracks Under Alleged Alias|url=https://edm.com/music-releases/aphex-twin-six-new-songs|website=edm.com|location=New York|publisher=Maven|access-date=17 December 2020|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227042547/https://edm.com/music-releases/aphex-twin-six-new-songs|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
James was raised in [[Cornwall]] and began [[DJing]] at [[free party|free parties]] and clubs around the [[South West England|South West]] in the late 1980s.<ref name=MixmagDec92>{{cite magazine|last=Marcus|first=Tony|title=Deeply Dippy: Aphex Twin & Mixmaster Morris|magazine=[[Mixmag]]|location=London|publisher=Disco Mix Club Limited|url=https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2021/08/14/aphex-twin-mixmaster-morris-mixmag-december-1992/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814143519/https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2021/08/14/aphex-twin-mixmaster-morris-mixmag-december-1992/|archive-date=14 August 2021|url-status=dead|date=December 1992|access-date=26 August 2021}}</ref> His debut EP ''[[Analogue Bubblebath]],'' released in 1991 on [[Mighty Force Records]], brought James an early following; he began to perform across the UK and [[continental Europe]].<ref name=Barr00>{{cite book |last1=Barr|first1=Tim|title=Techno: the rough guide |date=2000|publisher=Rough Guides Ltd |location=London |isbn=9781858284347 |page=13}}</ref><ref name=Reynolds13>{{cite book |last1=Reynolds|first1=Simon|author-link=Simon Reynolds|title=[[Energy Flash|Energy Flash : a Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture]]|date=2013 |publisher=Faber & Faber |location=London |isbn=9780571289141 |page=165 |edition=2nd}}</ref> James co-founded the independent label [[Rephlex Records]] the same year. His 1992 debut album ''[[Selected Ambient Works 85–92]]'', released by Belgian label [[Apollo Records (Belgium)|Apollo]], garnered wider critical and popular acclaim. James signed to [[Warp Records|Warp]] in late 1992 and subsequently released charting albums such as ''[[...I Care Because You Do]]'' (1995) and ''[[Richard D. James Album]]'' (1996), as well as [[Top 40]] singles such as "[[Come to Daddy (song)|Come to Daddy]]" (1997) and "[[Windowlicker]]" (1999); the latter two were accompanied by [[music video]]s directed by [[Chris Cunningham]] and brought James wider international attention.
After releasing ''[[Drukqs]]'' in 2001 and completing his contract with Warp, James spent several years releasing music on his own Rephlex label, including the 2005 ''[[Analord]]'' EP series under his AFX alias and a pair of 2007 releases as the Tuss. In 2014 he made available a [[Caustic Window LP|previously unreleased 1994 LP]] as Caustic Window. He returned later that year with the Aphex Twin album ''[[Syro]]'' on Warp, winning the [[Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album]]. He has since released charting EPs including ''[[Cheetah (EP)|Cheetah]]'' (2016) and ''[[Collapse EP|Collapse]]'' (2018). His 2023 single "[[Blackbox Life Recorder 21f]]" was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list|title=2024 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List | GRAMMY.com|website=grammy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LeJarde |first=Arielle Lana |date=11 November 2023 |title=Aphex Twin, James Blake, Flowdan nominated at 2024 Grammy Awards · News ⟋ RA |url=https://ra.co/news/79789 |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=Resident Advisor |language=en}}</ref> Since 2015 he has been [[Aphex Twin SoundCloud demos|sporadically releasing music on SoundCloud]].
==Early life== [[File:Chapel Porth (6345).jpg|thumb|right|James grew up in [[Cornwall]] (pictured: Cornwall's Chapel Porth, seen on the cover and referenced in the liner notes of James's 1993 album ''[[Surfing on Sine Waves]]'').<ref name="Snapes-2016" />]]
James was born on 18 August 1971<ref name="Murray-2007">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/jun/12/furthereducation.uk1|title=College days|last=Murray|first=Janet|date=12 June 2007|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626093339/http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0%2C%2C2100257%2C00.html|archive-date=26 June 2008|url-status=live|location=London}}</ref> in [[Limerick]], Ireland,<ref name=MwDec97/> to [[Welsh people|Welsh]] parents.<ref>{{Cite news|work=[[BBC News]]|title=Tragedy became Sliding Doors moment for politician|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-58058218|access-date=17 June 2022|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617085532/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-58058218|url-status=live}}</ref> He had a stillborn older brother also named Richard [[Necronym|whose name he inherited]].<ref name="factmyth" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/mar/19/shopping|title=Aphex twin, Chosen Lords|last=Warren|first=Emma|date=19 March 2006|work=The Observer|access-date=18 April 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920045938/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/mar/19/shopping|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 1997 interview, he said that this death occurred while his family had moved to Canada in 1968 for his father's mining work; his mother reused the name because "she didn't want to accept the death of the child."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Micallef |first=Ken |date=May 1997 |title=This does not compute |url=https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2024/02/23/alternative-press-may-1997/ |journal=Alternative Press |volume=11 |issue=106 |pages=37–39 |via=Lanner Chronicle}}</ref>
James grew up in [[Cornwall]],<ref name="Snapes-2016" /> where he lived in [[Lanner, Cornwall|Lanner]] while attending [[Redruth School]] in [[Redruth]].<ref name="Snapes-2016">{{Cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=13 September 2016 |title=The Wheal Thing: Aphex Twin's Alternative Cornish Language |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/20908-aphex-twin-richard-james-cornwall-cornish |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222191713/https://thequietus.com/articles/20908-aphex-twin-richard-james-cornwall-cornish |archive-date=22 December 2023 |access-date=18 April 2019 |website=The Quietus |language=en-us}}</ref> He later said he liked growing up there, "cut off from the city and the rest of the world".<ref name="Snapes-2016" /> He became interested in making sounds before writing music, and as a child he played with the strings inside his family piano and disassembled tape equipment.<ref name="tq">{{cite web|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/04483-simon-reynolds-interview-with-aphex-twin-melody-maker-1993-warp|title=A Classic Aphex Twin Interview. Simon Reynolds Talks To Richard D. James|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|website=[[The Quietus]]|date=21 June 2010 |access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>
In a 2001 interview, James said that at age 11 he won £50 in a competition for producing sound on a [[ZX81|Sinclair ZX81]], a home computer with no sound hardware: "I played around with [[machine code]] and found some codes that retuned the TV signal so that it made this really weird noise when you turned the volume up."<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connell |first=John |date=October 2001 |title=The Further Adventures of the Aphex Twin |url=https://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/100771194880071.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224173650/https://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/100771194880071.shtml |archive-date=24 December 2022 |access-date=24 December 2022 |publisher=[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]}}</ref> However, ''[[Fact Magazine (UK)|Fact Magazine]]'' reported in 2017 that this contest story is dubious,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Chris |last2=Twells |first2=John |date=14 April 2017 |title=10 strange Aphex Twin myths and the truth behind them |url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/funny-little-man-the-facts-and-fictions-of-aphex-twins-mythology/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418121000/https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/funny-little-man-the-facts-and-fictions-of-aphex-twins-mythology/ |archive-date=18 April 2019 |access-date=18 April 2019 |website=Factmag.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and likely based on a program published in ''Your Computer Magazine'' 1982, for which the author (G. N. Owen) was paid £6 ({{Inflation|UK|6|1982|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}).<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=G. N. Owen|title=Organic Tunes|url=https://archive.org/details/your-computer-magazine-1982-06/page/n69/mode/2up|magazine=Your Computer Magazine|location=Leamington Spa, Warwickshire|publisher=Quadrant House|date=June 1982|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref>{{Inflation/fn|UK}}
James bought his first synthesizer at age 12 and after taking an interest in [[electronics]], modified [[analogue synthesisers]] "and junk" to make noise.<ref name="tq" /> He began making music at age 14,<ref name="Snapes-2016" /> partially as a refuge from the "bloody awful" [[Jesus and Mary Chain]] albums played by his sister.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stubbs |first=David |title=Future Sounds: The Story of Electronic Music from Stockhausen to Skrillex |date=2018 |publisher=Faber & Faber |isbn=9780571346974 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oa0wtAEACAAJ |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222191657/https://books.google.com/books?id=oa0wtAEACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Cornwall had few record shops, but a thriving nightlife in which [[acid house]] was popular.<ref name="Snapes-2016" /> James claimed to have been making music with similarities to [[Acid house|acid]] and techno for years before hearing the genres, leading him to purchase every record he could find in the styles.<ref name="Reynolds-2013">{{Cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |author-link=Simon Reynolds |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CXPZyYHLd-kC |title=Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture |date=4 July 2013 |publisher=Faber & Faber |isbn=978-0-571-28914-1 |language=en}}</ref> He studied at [[Cornwall College (England)|Cornwall College]] from 1988 to 1990 and graduated with a [[National Diploma (UK)|National Diploma]] in engineering.<ref name="Murray-2007" /> According to one lecturer, he often wore headphones during practical lessons and had a "kind of mystique about him ... I think some of the other students were a bit in awe of him."<ref name="Murray-2007" />
== Career == ===1988–1991: Cornish free parties, Rephlex Records and first releases=== In the late 1980s, James became involved in the Cornish [[free party]] scene, putting on raves at "secret coves along the coast and behind sand dunes".<ref name=SpinMar94>{{cite magazine |last=Davis |first=Erik |author-link=Erik Davis |date=March 1994 |title=Monsters of Techno |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |location=Palm Coast |publisher=Camouflage Associates }}</ref> The first party he DJed at was in a barn in 1988.<ref name="MwDec97">{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Sarah |date=20 December 1997 |title=Jock on his Box |url=https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2021/07/10/aphex-twin-jock-on-his-box-music-week-magazine-20th-december-1997/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711045017/https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2021/07/10/aphex-twin-jock-on-his-box-music-week-magazine-20th-december-1997/ |archive-date=11 July 2021 |work=[[Music Week]] |publisher=Record Retailer Pub Ltd |location=London |pages=7}} [https://archive.today/20210712024852/https://lannerchronicle.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/music-week-1997-12-20.jpg Alt URL]</ref> Parties were also known to take place at [[Gwennap|Gwennap Pit]].<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Cornwall |series=Sounds of the Suburbs |first=John |last=Peel |network=[[Channel 4]] |date=21 March 1999 |number=4 |time=2:10}}</ref> They mainly attracted local youths and [[New Age travellers|travellers]], with entrance donations taken in [[cannabis]]. The community also held events at small clubs in towns around the county, including [[St Ives, Cornwall|St. Ives]], [[Porthtowan]], and [[St Austell]]. James later referred to this scene as the "best he's ever been involved in".<ref name=MixmagDec92/><ref name="Snapes-2016"/>
James started a regular DJ slot in 1989, playing alternate weeks at the Bowgie nightclub in [[Crantock]]. There he met [[Tom Middleton]] and Grant Wilson-Claridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orbmag.com/features/rephlex-records-recalling-aphex-twin-grant-wilson-claridges-label/|title=Rephlex Records: Recalling Aphex Twin & Grant Wilson-Claridge's label|date=7 May 2018|website=Orbmag.com|language=en-US|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418115935/https://www.orbmag.com/features/rephlex-records-recalling-aphex-twin-grant-wilson-claridges-label/|url-status=live}}</ref> James incorporated his own tracks, recorded on [[cassette tape|tape]], into his DJ sets.<ref name="Snapes-2016" /> Impressed by James's music, Middleton played a tape James had given him to a free party organiser in [[Exeter]], Mark Darby, who eventually convinced James to release a record on his fledgling record label [[Mighty Force Records]].<ref name=DarbyRC>{{cite interview |last=Darby |first=Mark |subject-link=Mighty Force Records |title=The Mighty Force from the Bubblebath to Fog City! |url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/value-added-facts-22 |publisher=Diamond Publishing Ltd |location=London |work=Record Collector |access-date=7 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404143905/https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/value-added-facts-22 |archive-date=4 April 2018}}</ref> James was initially resistant, but while he was [[Psychedelic experience|tripping]] on [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|acid]] backstage at a DJ gig, Darby and Middleton convinced him to release the record. Darby later said: "I think if he had not done that trip that night there may have never been any Aphex Twin."<ref name=DarbyRC/> James has given a similar account: "...they made me sign the contract when I was off my face. I was tripping and they're waving this money and a pen at me. It's a bit clichéd but it's the way they got me to sign."<ref name=Marcus95>{{cite interview |last=James|first=Richard D.|subject-link=Aphex Twin|date=May 1995|interviewer-last=Marcus|interviewer-first=Tony|title=True Lies|url=https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2020/08/18/mixmag-may-1995/|magazine=[[Mixmag]]|location=London|publisher=EMAP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317172519/https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2020/08/18/mixmag-may-1995/|archive-date=17 March 2021|url-status=dead|access-date=17 June 2021}} [https://archive.today/20210712020647/https://lannerchronicle.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/page-1.jpg Alt URL]</ref> Similarly impressed by James's music, Wilson-Claridge suggested they use some money he inherited to create a [[record label]] to release it. He and James founded [[Rephlex Records]] in 1991.<ref name="Snapes-2016" />
James's first release was the 12" [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Analogue Bubblebath]]'', released on Mighty Force in September 1991.<ref name=DarbyAR>{{cite web |last1=Darby |first1=Mark |title=Mark Darby |url=http://www.alpharadio.live/ar/members/mark-darby/ |website=Alpha Radio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107162147/http://www.alpharadio.live/ar/members/mark-darby/ |archive-date=7 November 2019 |access-date=23 July 2019 }}</ref> The EP made the playlist of [[Kiss 100 London|Kiss FM]], an influential London radio station, giving it wide exposure in the dance music scene.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/aphex_twin-contrarian |title=Aphex Twin: The Contrarian |access-date=14 June 2008 |last=Turenne |first=Martin |date=April 2003 |work=[[Exclaim!]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703002122/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/aphex_twin-contrarian |archive-date=3 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015 ''The Guardian'' called the release one of the key moments in the history of dance music.<ref name=GuaBubbEvent>{{cite news |last1=Vine |first1=Richard |title=A history of dance music: Aphex Twin's first single Bubblebath released by Mighty Force records |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/15/aphex-twin-bubblebath-mighty-force |access-date=19 September 2019 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |date=14 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424181101/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/15/aphex-twin-bubblebath-mighty-force |archive-date=24 April 2015 |url-status=dead |location=London}}</ref> The record caught the ear of Renaat Vandepapeliere, the head of [[R&S Records]], at that time one of the leading European [[rave music|rave]] labels. James visited him in Belgium, bringing a box full of cassettes of his music. From these cassettes they picked out tracks for two records, including James's first [[studio album|album]] ''Selected Ambient Works 85-92''.<ref name=ViceRS2014>{{cite magazine |last=Khawaja |first=Jemayel |date=26 August 2014 |title=In Order to Dance: The Story of R&S Records |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/in-order-to-dance-the-story-of-rs-records/ |magazine=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice UK]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209095829/https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/jpn7nx/in-order-to-dance-the-story-of-rs-records |archive-date=9 December 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Vice Media]] |access-date=10 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fintoni |first=Laurent |date=12 February 2017 |title=Paul White salutes the world-building genius of Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92 |url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/02/12/paul-white-aphex-twin-selected-ambient-works-85-92/ |magazine=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]] |location=London |publisher=Vinyl Factory Publishing Ltd |access-date=2 December 2019 |archive-date=28 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828064401/https://www.factmag.com/2017/02/12/paul-white-aphex-twin-selected-ambient-works-85-92/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1992, as word of his 12" records spread, James started performing at London techno events like the formative club Knowledge, held at the SW1 nightclub in London's [[Victoria, London|Victoria]], and the influential night Lost.<ref name="Wbaum14p45">{{cite book |last1=Weidenbaum |first1=Mark |title=Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works, Volume 2 |date=2014 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |location=New York/London |isbn=9781623567637 |page=45}}</ref><ref name="StrayLandings">{{cite web |last1=Darton-Moore |first1=Theo |title=That Time When // Spatial |url=http://straylandings.co.uk/articles/that-time-when-spatial |website=Stray Landings|date=2 May 2017|access-date=26 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308000706/http://straylandings.co.uk/articles/that-time-when-spatial|archive-date=8 March 2021|url-status=dead|language=en}}</ref>
Through 1991 and 1992 James released three ''[[Analogue Bubblebath]]'' EPs, two EPs as Caustic Window, the ''[[Universal Indicator Red|Red]]'' EP as part of the [[Universal Indicator (collective)|Universal Indicator]] collective, along with the ''[[Digeridoo (EP)|Digeridoo]]'' and ''[[Xylem Tube EP|Xylem Tube]]'' EPs on the [[R&S Records|R&S]] label. Although he moved to London to take an [[electronics]] course at [[Kingston University|Kingston Polytechnic]], he admitted to [[David Toop]] that his electronics studies were slipping away as he pursued a career in electronic music.<ref name="Too">{{cite web|url=http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/98136154898147.shtml |title=Lost in Space |access-date=27 July 2019 |last=Toop |first=David |author-link=David Toop |date=March 1994 |work=[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516134249/http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/98136154898147.shtml |archive-date=16 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===1992–1994: ''Selected Ambient Works'' and early success=== {{main|Selected Ambient Works 85–92|Selected Ambient Works Volume II}}
The first full-length Aphex Twin album, ''Selected Ambient Works 85–92'', comprised material dating back to James's teen years. It was released in November 1992 by [[Apollo Records (Belgium)|Apollo Records]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apollorecords.bandcamp.com/album/selected-ambient-works-85-92|title=Selected Ambient Works 85-92, Apollo Records Bandcamp|work=Bandcamp|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174243/https://apollorecords.bandcamp.com/album/selected-ambient-works-85-92|url-status=live}}</ref> a subsidiary of Belgian label [[R&S Records|R&S]].<ref name="FutMApr93">{{cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Dave |date=April 1993 |title=The Aphex Effect |url=http://bytenoise.co.uk/The_Aphex_Effect.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162607/http://bytenoise.co.uk/The_Aphex_Effect.jpg |archive-date=14 July 2014 |access-date=18 January 2019 |magazine=[[Future Music]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] |pages=22–23}}</ref> John Bush of [[Allmusic]] would later describe the release as a watershed moment in ambient music.<ref name="bush">{{cite web |first=John |last=Bush |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/aphex-twin-mn0000493848/biography |title=Aphex Twin | Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=9 July 2016 |archive-date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024060640/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/aphex-twin-mn0000493848/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2002 ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' record review Pat Blashill noted that Aphex Twin had "expanded way beyond the [[ambient music]] of [[Brian Eno]] by fusing lush soundscapes with oceanic beats and bass lines," demonstrating that "techno could be more than druggy dance music".<ref name="blashill">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aphextwin/albums/album/218371/review/6067595/selected_ambient_works_8592 |title=Selected Ambient Works 85–92 |access-date=14 June 2008 |last=Blashill |first=Pat |date=19 November 2002 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612021837/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aphextwin/albums/album/218371/review/6067595/selected_ambient_works_8592 |archive-date=12 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Writing for [[Pitchfork (website)|''Pitchfork'']] in 2002, David Pecoraro called it "among the most interesting music ever created with a keyboard and a computer".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/223-selected-ambient-works-85-92/ |title=Selected Ambient Works 85–92 |access-date=19 October 2008 |last=Pecoraro |first=David |date=20 February 2002 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080920140017/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/14986-selected-ambient-works-85-92| archive-date= 20 September 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[DJ Mag]]'s'' Ben Murphy named it "a seminal record in the IDM, ambient and experimental canon".<ref name=MurphyDJ19>{{cite magazine |last=Murphy|first=Ben|date=3 January 2019 |title=How Aphex Twin's 'Selected Ambient Works 85–92' Refined Dance Music|url=https://djmag.com/content/solid-gold-how-aphex-twins-‘selected-ambient-works-85-92’-refined-dance-music|magazine=[[DJ Mag]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411100649/https://djmag.com/content/solid-gold-how-aphex-twins-‘selected-ambient-works-85-92’-refined-dance-music |archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live |publisher=Thrust Publishing Ltd|location=London |access-date=10 May 2019}}</ref>
In 1992 James also released the EPs ''[[Digeridoo (EP)|Digeridoo]]'' and ''[[Xylem Tube EP]]'' as Aphex Twin, the ''[[Pac-Man (album)|Pac-Man]]'' EP (an album of remixes of ''[[Pac-Man]]'' music) as Power-Pill, two of his four ''Joyrex'' EPs (''[[Joyrex J4 EP]]'' and ''[[Joyrex J5 EP]]'') as Caustic Window, and ''[[Analogue Bubblebath 3]]''. "Digeridoo" reached No. 55 on the [[UK Singles Chart]], and was later described by ''Rolling Stone'' as foreshadowing [[drum and bass]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bashe |first=Patricia Romanowski |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uU9AAQA6kAMC&q=The%20Rolling%20Stone%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Rock%20and%20Roll%20Aphex%20Twin |title=Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll: Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll |date=8 November 2001 |publisher=Touchstone |isbn=978-0-7432-0120-9 |pages=24 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622142914/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aphextwin/biography |archive-date=22 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hobbs |first=Mary Anne |author-link=Mary Anne Hobbs |date=6 December 2005 |title=Mary Ann Hobbs - Radio 1's experimental show (tracklisting) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20051206 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823171355/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20051206 |archive-date=23 August 2013 |access-date=14 June 2008 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> That year, he also appeared as the Dice Man on the [[Warp Records]] compilation ''[[Artificial Intelligence (compilation album)|Artificial Intelligence]]'' with the track "Polygon Window". The compilation helped create the genre later known as "[[intelligent dance music]]", and helped launch James's career alongside [[Autechre]] and [[Richie Hawtin]].<ref name="machines">{{cite web |last1=Cardew |first1=Ben |title=Machines of loving grace: how Artificial Intelligence helped techno grow up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/03/artificial-intelligence-compilation-album-warp-records-idm-intelligent-dance-music |website=The Guardian |date=3 July 2017 |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029205441/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/03/artificial-intelligence-compilation-album-warp-records-idm-intelligent-dance-music |url-status=live }}</ref> As Polygon Window, in 1993, James released his first records on Warp: ''[[Surfing on Sine Waves]]'' (the second in the ''[[Artificial Intelligence (series)|Artificial Intelligence]]'' series)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/warp-s-artificial-intelligence-compilation-predicted-th-1798278871|title=Warp's Artificial Intelligence compilation predicted the sounds of today, yesterday|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|first=Tegan|last=O'Neil|date=16 April 2015|access-date=27 February 2018|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126060756/https://music.avclub.com/warp-s-artificial-intelligence-compilation-predicted-th-1798278871|url-status=live}}</ref> and the EP ''[[Quoth (EP)|Quoth]]''. Later that year he released the EP ''[[On (EP)|On]]'', which entered the top 40 on the UK chart.<ref name="OnEPChart">{{cite web |title=On: The Aphex Twin |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/on/ |website=Official Charts |publisher=The Official UK Charts Company |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228174800/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/on/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rephlex also released an EP by James under the alias Bradley Strider, ''[[Bradley's Robot]]'', and two more Caustic Window records.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
James was part of several tours in 1993. He supported [[the Orb]] on several dates, and joined the "Midi Circus" tour at venues across the UK, co-headlining with [[Orbital (band)|Orbital]], the Orb and [[Drum Club]].<ref name=Fyfe2017>{{cite magazine |last=Fyfe |first=Andy |date=January 2016 |title=A Cosmic Dog |url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/cosmic-dog |magazine=Record Collector |location=London |pages=54–60 |publisher=Diamond Publishing Ltd |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=4 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504225512/http://recordcollectormag.com/articles/cosmic-dog |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Savage93">{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Jon |title=Machine Soul |url=http://music.hyperreal.org/library/machine_soul.html |access-date=4 December 2019 |work=The Village Voice |publisher=Voice Media Group |date=July 1993 |archive-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429233331/http://music.hyperreal.org/library/machine_soul.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in the year, he was part of the NASA "See the Light" tour with Orbital, [[Moby]], and Vapourspace at venues across the United States.<ref name=SpinMar94/>
Warp released the second Aphex Twin album, ''[[Selected Ambient Works Volume II]]'', in March 1994. It explored a more ambient sound, inspired by [[Lucid dreaming|lucid dreams]] and James's experience of [[synaesthesia]]. It reached number 11 in the UK chart,<ref name="SAWIIChart">{{cite web |title=Selected Ambient Works Volume II |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/selected-ambient-works-volume-ii/ |website=Official Charts |publisher=The Official UK Charts Company |access-date=21 November 2019 |language=en |archive-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815102940/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/selected-ambient-works-volume-ii/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but was not particularly well received critically; critic Simon Reynolds later noted that "many in the Aphex cult were thrown for a loop" and that "Aphex aficionados remain divided".<ref name="spins90slist">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|title=The Greatest Albums of the '90s|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|author-link=Simon Reynolds|date=September 1999|page=148|issn=0886-3032|volume=15|issue=9}}</ref> Other 1994 releases were a fourth ''Analogue Bubblebath,'' ''[[GAK (album)|GAK]]'' (derived from early demos sent to Warp), and ''[[Classics (Aphex Twin album)|Classics]]'', a compilation album.
=== 1995–2000: ''...I Care Because You Do'', ''Richard D. James Album'' and ''Come to Daddy''=== {{Main|...I Care Because You Do|Richard D. James Album|Come to Daddy (EP)}} [[File:Aphex Twin (Interview 1995).mp3|thumb|Aphex Twin in an interview in 1995]] For his charting 1995 album ''[[...I Care Because You Do]],''<ref name="ICareChart">{{cite web |title=...I Care Because You Do |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/...i-care-because-you-do/ |website=Official Charts |publisher=The Official UK Charts Company |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823085343/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/...i-care-because-you-do/ |url-status=live }}</ref> composed between 1990 and 1994 in a range of styles, James used a [[self-portrait]] of his face for the cover, which became a [[Motif (visual arts)|motif]] on his later releases. He commissioned [[Classical music|Western classical-music]] composer [[Philip Glass]] to create an orchestral version of the ''...I Care Because You Do'' track "Icct Hedral", which appeared on the ''[[Donkey Rhubarb (EP)|Donkey Rhubarb]]'' EP.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weidenbaum |first=Marc |date=15 April 1997 |title=Eponymous Rex |url=https://disquiet.com/1997/04/15/eponymous-rex/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=Disquiet |publisher=Pulse! magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> In the same year, James released his ''[[Hangable Auto Bulb]]'' EP under the name AFX, which spearheaded the short-lived [[drill 'n' bass]] style.<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/drillnbass-ma0000012008 |title=Drill'n'bass | Music Highlights |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=9 July 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726092834/https://www.allmusic.com/style/drillnbass-ma0000012008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Reynolds-2013"/> This rapid, computer-based drum programming style would become the dominant approach of James's work through the end of the decade.<ref name="p4k">{{cite web |last1=Richardson |first1=Mark |title=Review: Hangable Auto Bulb |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/239-hangable-auto-bulb/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref> In 1996, James and [[Michael Paradinas]] (μ-Ziq) collaborated for the album ''[[Expert Knob Twiddlers]]'' under the one-off side project [[Mike & Rich]], which was released by James' Rephlex label.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simpson |first=Paul |title=Mike & Rich Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mike-rich-mn0000478377 |access-date=3 April 2025 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bush |first=John |title=Expert Knob Twiddlers - Mike & Rich {{!}} Album |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/expert-knob-twiddlers-mw0000046756 |access-date=3 April 2025 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
''[[Richard D. James Album]]'', James's fourth studio album as Aphex Twin, was released on Warp in 1996. It features [[Softsynth|software synthesisers]] and unconventional rhythms. Will Hermes of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' discussed James's use of [[Old school jungle|jungle]] elements, writing that "by applying junglist strategies to his own obsessive sound creation - his gorgeous weirdo palette of modernist strings, whirring crib toys, and agitated machines - he remakes drum'n'bass in his own image".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|volume=12|issue=11|date=February 1997|title=Aphex Twin: Richard D. James|last1=Hermes|first1=Will|author-link=Will Hermes|page=88|issn=0886-3032}}</ref> In a ''Pitchfork'' list of the best albums of the 1990s, Eric Carr wrote that ''Richard D. James Album'' demonstrated "aggressive combinations of disparate electronic forms", with an "almost-brutal contrast between its elements" that has ensured its relevance.<ref name="pitchfork-2003">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/7/|work=Pitchfork|title=Staff Lists: Top 100 Albums of the 1990s|last=Carr|first=Eric|date=17 November 2003|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=20 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420210814/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/7/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2003 ''NME'' named it the 55th greatest album of all time,<ref>{{cite web|title=2003 NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time|url=http://www.timepieces.nl/chart/18863/2003-nme-writers-all-time-top-100-albums|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930180105/http://www.timepieces.nl/chart/18863/2003-nme-writers-all-time-top-100-albums|archive-date=30 September 2017|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref> and in 2009 ''Pitchfork'' named it the 40th greatest album of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 100 Albums of the 1990s|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/7/|access-date=16 January 2009|archive-date=29 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229082705/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/7/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
James garnered attention the following year after the release of his charting ''[[Come to Daddy (EP)|Come to Daddy]]'' EP.<ref name="ComeChart">{{cite web |title=Come to Daddy |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/come-to-daddy/ |website=Official Charts |publisher=The Official UK Charts Company |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410185721/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/come-to-daddy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Come to Daddy (song)|title track]] was conceived as a [[death metal]] parody. Accompanied with a successful music video directed by [[Chris Cunningham]], James became disenchanted by its success: "This little idea that I had, which was a joke, turned into something huge. It wasn't right at all."<ref name="indexmag">{{cite web|url=http://www.indexmagazine.com/interviews/aphex_twin.shtml|title=Index Magazine – Richard D James|date=14 January 2001|work=Index Magazine|access-date=19 October 2011|archive-date=5 June 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020605035527/http://www.indexmagazine.com/interviews/aphex_twin.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> It was followed by "[[Windowlicker]]", a charting single<ref name="WinlickChart">{{cite web |title=Windowlicker |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/windowlicker/ |website=Official Charts |publisher=The Official UK Charts Company |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410172643/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/windowlicker/ |url-status=live }}</ref> promoted with another Cunningham music video, nominated for the [[Brit Award]] for Best British Video in 2000.<ref name="Brits">{{cite web|url=http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/aphex-twin |title=Brits Awards – Aphex Twin|access-date=11 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805223851/http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/aphex-twin |archive-date=5 August 2014 }}</ref><ref name="indexmag" />
===2001–2009: ''Drukqs'', ''Analord'' and the Tuss=== {{Main|Drukqs|Analord}} [[File:Aphex Twin, 2008.jpg|thumb|James performing in 2008|alt=]] In 2001 Aphex Twin released ''[[Drukqs]]'', an experimental double album featuring abrasive, meticulous programming and [[disklavier|computer-controlled piano]] influenced by [[Erik Satie]] and [[John Cage]]. It features the piano composition "[[Avril 14th]]", which remains perhaps James' best known work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/aphex-twin-avril-14th/|title=How Aphex Twin's piano lullaby 'Avril 14th' became a runaway pop culture hit|date=14 April 2017|website=FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|language=en-US|access-date=19 April 2019|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419040029/https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/aphex-twin-avril-14th/|url-status=live}}</ref> The album polarised reviewers. James told interviewers he had accidentally left an MP3 player with new tracks on a plane, and had rushed the album release to preempt an [[music leak|internet leak]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Synths, drukqs and rock'n'roll |url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/08/1073437402717.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=9 January 2004 |access-date=14 June 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080612015041/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/08/1073437402717.html| archive-date= 12 June 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
In 2001 James also released a short EP, ''2 Remixes By AFX'', with remixes of songs by [[808 State]] and [[DJ Pierre]]. It also had an untitled third track, consisting of a [[Slow-scan television|SSTV]] image with high-pitched sounds which can be decoded to a viewable image with appropriate software. In 2002 James was nominated for the [[Brit Award]] for Best British Male.<ref name="Brits" /> In 2003 Warp released ''[[26 Mixes for Cash]]'', collecting many of James's remixes for other artists.
In 2005 James released a series of vinyl EPs under the AFX name, ''[[Analord]]'', created entirely with analogue equipment. These were followed in 2006 by a compilation album of ''Analord'' tracks, ''[[Chosen Lords]].''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/240-chosen-lords/|title=AFX: Chosen Lords|website=Pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421044143/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/240-chosen-lords/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007 James released two records on Rephlex, ''[[Confederation Trough]]'' and ''[[Rushup Edge (album)|Rushup Edge]]'', under the alias the Tuss, Cornish slang for "erection". Media sources speculated about James's involvement, but his identity was not confirmed until 2014.<ref name="pattison">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/may/26/electronicmusic.features16|title=Dancing in the dark|last=Pattison|first=Louis|date=26 May 2007|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618101712/http://music.guardian.co.uk/electronic/story/0%2C%2C2088396%2C00.html|archive-date=18 June 2008|url-status=live|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/503-selected-aughties-works-the-5-best-tracks-from-aphex-twins-quiet-period/|title=Selected Aughties Works: The 5 Best Tracks From Aphex Twin's Quiet Period|website=Pitchfork.com|date=26 September 2014|language=en|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421044141/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/503-selected-aughties-works-the-5-best-tracks-from-aphex-twins-quiet-period/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2009 Rephlex Records released digital versions (in the FLAC file format) of the 11 Analord EPs. Each of them (except for Analord 10) had bonus tracks, totalling 81 minutes of new music between them all.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}} Richard later disbanded Rephlex Records and gave up on the website.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 January 2015 |title=Aphex Twin shuts down label Rephlex |url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2015/01/aphex-twin-shuts-label-rephlex/ |work=[[Dancing Astronaut]] |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 January 2015 |title=Aphex Twin's Rephlex Records has closed |url=https://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/aphex-twins-rephlex-records-has-closed/ |website=CompleteMusicUpdate.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327045857/https://completemusicupdate.com/article/aphex-twins-rephlex-records-has-closed/ |archive-date=27 March 2023 |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hoffmann |first=Heiko |date=25 December 2014 |title=25 Questions for Aphex Twin |url=https://groove.de/2014/12/25/25-questions-for-aphex-twin/3/ |work=[[:de:Groove (Zeitschrift)|Groove]] |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>
This same year, James began working with the visual artist Weirdcore for graphics for his live shows, debuting at [[Bloc Festival]] in Minehead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Needham |first=Jack |date=27 September 2017 |title=Meet the anonymous artist behind Aphex Twin's insane visuals |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/37384/1/weirdcore-aphex-twin-mia-visuals-interview |access-date=2 November 2023 |website=Dazed |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102202532/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/37384/1/weirdcore-aphex-twin-mia-visuals-interview |url-status=live }}</ref> Weirdcore has continued to work with James on live graphics and music videos.
In 2010 James said he had completed six new albums, including a new version of the unreleased ''[[Melodies from Mars]]''.<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/40543-aphex-twin-says-hes-got-six-albums-completed/|title=Aphex Twin Says He's Got Six Albums Completed | News|date=29 October 2010|website=Pitchfork.com|access-date=20 February 2014|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726070621/https://pitchfork.com/news/40543-aphex-twin-says-hes-got-six-albums-completed/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2011 he performed a live tribute to the Polish composer [[Krzysztof Penderecki]]; he performed his remix of Penderecki's "[[Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima]]" and a version of "[[Polymorphia]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/43966-video-new-compositions-from-aphex-twin-and-jonny-greenwood/|title=Video: New Compositions From Aphex Twin and Jonny Greenwood|author1=Carrie Batten|date=12 September 2011|website=Pitchfork.com|access-date=17 August 2014|archive-date=31 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331050409/https://pitchfork.com/news/43966-video-new-compositions-from-aphex-twin-and-jonny-greenwood/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, he performed at the Paris [[Pitchfork Music Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/44450-photos-pitchfork-music-festival-paris-friday/|title=Photos: Pitchfork Music Festival Paris [Friday]|date=29 October 2011|website=Pitchfork.com|access-date=17 August 2014|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726072311/https://pitchfork.com/news/44450-photos-pitchfork-music-festival-paris-friday/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 2014–present: ''Caustic Window'', ''Syro'', and return as Aphex Twin=== {{Main|Caustic Window LP|Syro}} [[File:Syro street art.jpg|thumb|Street art promoting the ''Syro'' album in New York City.]]In 2014 a [[test pressing]] of a 1994 album recorded under James's pseudonym [[Caustic Window (album)|Caustic Window]] appeared for sale on [[Discogs]]. The album was once intended for sale on James's label Rephlex, but went unreleased. With the consent of James and Rephlex, fans organised a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to purchase the record and distribute copies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19574-aphex-twin-caustic-window/|title=Caustic Window: Caustic Window LP|website=Pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=24 April 2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421044150/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19574-aphex-twin-caustic-window/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Syro'', the first album released under the Aphex Twin name since ''Drukqs'' in 2001, was released through Warp on 23 September 2014. It was marketed by a teaser campaign including graffiti, a blimp flown over London, and an announcement made via a [[.onion|.onion address]] accessible through the [[darknet]] browser [[Tor (anonymity network)|Tor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1699431/aphex-twin-announces-new-album-syro-via-deep-web/news/|title=Aphex Twin Announces New Album SYRO Via Deep Web|last=Bowe|first=Miles|date=18 August 2014|work=[[SpinMedia|Stereogum]]|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202034401/https://www.stereogum.com/1699431/aphex-twin-announces-new-album-syro-via-deep-web/news/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2014 James released a set of 21 tracks, ''Modular Trax'', on the audio platform [[SoundCloud]]. The tracks were later removed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aphex Twin Gives Away 21-Track Modular Synth Album Plus a Bundle of Demos and Studio Experiments|url=http://www.factmag.com/2014/11/10/aphex-twin-download-21-track-modular-trax-synth-album/|website=Factmag.com|date=10 November 2014|access-date=10 November 2014|archive-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111040032/http://www.factmag.com/2014/11/10/aphex-twin-download-21-track-modular-trax-synth-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> Over several months in 2015 James [[Aphex Twin SoundCloud demos|anonymously uploaded 230 demo tracks]], some dating to the 1980s, to SoundCloud.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/08/aphex-twin-archive-removed-from-soundcloud|title=Aphex Twin archive removed from SoundCloud|last=music|first=Guardian|date=8 May 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 April 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422085237/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/08/aphex-twin-archive-removed-from-soundcloud|url-status=live}}</ref> He said he had released the [[Demo (music)|demos]] to relieve his family of the pressure to release his archives after he dies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/aphex-twins-mask-collapses/|title=Cover story: Aphex Twin's mask collapses|website=Crack Magazine|access-date=22 April 2019|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214052406/https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/aphex-twins-mask-collapses/|url-status=live}}</ref> He has continued to occasionally release tracks on the account.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-shares-new-songs-listen/|title=Aphex Twin Shares New Songs|website=Pitchfork|date=8 April 2020|language=en|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=11 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411150439/https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-shares-new-songs-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 23 January 2015 James released ''[[Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/01/09/aphex-twin-announces-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep/|title=Aphex Twin Announces Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP|website=Factmag.com|date=9 January 2015|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-date=9 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109154807/http://www.factmag.com/2015/01/09/aphex-twin-announces-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep/|url-status=live}}</ref> created with robotic instruments including the [[Disklavier]], a computer-controlled [[player piano]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/648-if-this-aphex-twin-archive-is-fake-we-dont-want-to-know-what-real-is/|title=If This Aphex Twin Archive Is Fake, We Don't Want to Know What Real Is|website=Pitchfork.com|date=27 January 2015|language=en|access-date=22 April 2019|archive-date=28 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128171609/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/648-if-this-aphex-twin-archive-is-fake-we-dont-want-to-know-what-real-is/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 July 2016 he released the ''[[Cheetah EP|Cheetah]]'' EP, backed by a music video for "CIRKLON3 [Колхозная mix]", the first official music video for an Aphex Twin track in 17 years.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-aphex-twin-s-first-music-video-in-17-years-20160621|title=Watch Aphex Twin's First Music Video in 17 Years|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=24 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624132707/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-aphex-twin-s-first-music-video-in-17-years-20160621|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 December, James performed in [[Houston]], Texas at the Day for Night festival, his first American appearance in eight years. A 12-inch vinyl was sold exclusively at the festival, containing two 10-minute tracks, entitled ''Houston, TX 12.17.16 [Day For Night]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cosores |first=Philip |url=https://consequence.net/2016/12/aphex-twin-releases-surprise-12-inch-vinyl-at-day-for-night-festival/ |title=Aphex Twin releases surprise 12-inch vinyl at Day For Night Festival |work=[[Consequence of Sound]] |date=17 December 2016 |access-date=6 May 2017 |archive-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117034629/https://consequence.net/2016/12/aphex-twin-releases-surprise-12-inch-vinyl-at-day-for-night-festival/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=AFX - Houston, TX 12.17.16 [Day For Night]. Aphex Twin. |date=17 December 2016 |url=https://aphextwin.warp.net/release/128168-afx-houston-tx-121716-day-for-night |access-date=2 November 2023 |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126132522/https://aphextwin.warp.net/release/128168-afx-houston-tx-121716-day-for-night |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 June 2017 James performed at the Field Day festival and released a limited edition EP, ''[[London 03.06.17]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzvLiwUK3R8&t=2575s| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/nzvLiwUK3R8?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzvLiwUK3R8| archive-date=21 September 2021|title=Aphex Twin Live at Field Day 2017 (alt. audio)|last=NTS|date=4 June 2017|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The performance was livestreamed on [[NTS Radio]]'s Youtube channel. On 19 June 2017 a Michigan record store sold an exclusive Aphex Twin record comprising two tracks released on SoundCloud in 2015, entitled ''3 Gerald Remix / 24 TSIM 2''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=39286|title=New Aphex Twin record on sale at Todd Osborn's Technical Equipment Supply shop in Michigan|website=Resident Advisor|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628065241/https://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=39286|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 July, Aphex Twin opened an online store with expanded versions of previous albums and new tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-launches-new-streaming-site-with-rarities-unreleased-tracks-more/|title=Aphex Twin Launches New Streaming Site With Rarities, Unreleased Tracks, More|website=Pitchfork.com|date=20 July 2017|language=en|access-date=24 April 2019|archive-date=20 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720190045/https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-launches-new-streaming-site-with-rarities-unreleased-tracks-more/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 July, at the [[Fuji Rock Festival]], a tape limited to 500 copies was released.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aphex Twin - Aphex Mt. Fuji 2017 |date=29 July 2017 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/10631286-Aphex-Twin-Aphex-Mt-Fuji-2017 |access-date=2 November 2023 |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102202531/https://www.discogs.com/release/10631286-Aphex-Twin-Aphex-Mt-Fuji-2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Aphex Twin released an EP, ''[[Collapse (EP)|Collapse]]'', on 14 September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WarpRecords/status/1026831960491089921|title=Warp Records on Twitter|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=14 September 2018|archive-date=23 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423190145/https://twitter.com/WarpRecords/status/1026831960491089921|url-status=live}}</ref> The EP was announced on 5 August in a garbled press release written in broken English and visually distorted with the same Aphex Twin 3D graphic found in London, Turin and Hollywood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WarpRecords/status/1026106153346973697|title=Warp Records on Twitter: "..."|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=5 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> A promotional video for the ''Collapse'' EP was to be broadcast on [[Adult Swim]], but was cancelled after failing the [[Harding test]]. It was made available online instead, and the video for "T69 Collapse" was uploaded to YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/aphex-twins-tv-premiere-cancelled-failing-epilepsy-test-2364008|title=Aphex Twin's TV premiere cancelled after failing epilepsy test|website=NME|date=7 August 2018|access-date=7 August 2018|archive-date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807155432/https://www.nme.com/news/music/aphex-twins-tv-premiere-cancelled-failing-epilepsy-test-2364008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqayDnQ2wmw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/SqayDnQ2wmw?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqayDnQ2wmw| archive-date=21 September 2021|title=Aphex Twin – T69 Collapse| date=7 August 2018 |via=[[YouTube]]|access-date=16 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
During James' September 2019 tour two 12-inch records were released at performances at [[Printworks (London)|Printworks]], London, and [[The Warehouse Project|Warehouse Project]], Manchester, entitled "London" and "Manchester" on James' warp.net site. Official recordings of the sets were released on 15 September and 26 December 2019 on Youtube.
Speculations of James's return started after a mysterious website featuring the Aphex Twin logo inside of the word "London" was discovered by fans. Its title alluded to 19 August 2023, the same day that the [[Field Day (festival)|Field Day]] festival takes place on in London, teasing a possible performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arcand |first=Rob |date=20 January 2023 |title=Aphex Twin Teases First Show Since 2019 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-teases-first-show-since-2019/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121002911/https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-teases-first-show-since-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=19.08.23 |url=https://190823.co.uk/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website= |language=en-US |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120225228/https://190823.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> His return was confirmed on 24 January 2023, when Aphex Twin was announced as a headliner for the festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arcand |first=Rob |date=24 January 2023 |title=Aphex Twin to Headline London's Field Day Festival |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-to-headline-londons-field-day-festival/ |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124234110/https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-to-headline-londons-field-day-festival/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the next few weeks, several other performances were announced for Europe.<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=James |first=Richard D. |user=AphexTwin |number=1622884119179935746 |title=BEST KEPT SECRET. HOLLAND. |access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |last=James |first=Richard D. |user=AphexTwin |number=1638135089992269824 |title=FORWARDS, BRISTOL. |access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref> At a performance at [[Sónar]] on 16 June, an exclusive 12-inch vinyl was released entitled ''Barcelona 16.06.23''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aphex Twin - Barcelona 16.06.2023 |date=24 June 2023 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/27506649-Aphex-Twin-Barcelona-16062023 |access-date=2 November 2023 |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102202532/https://www.discogs.com/release/27506649-Aphex-Twin-Barcelona-16062023 |url-status=live }}</ref> During this festival, large [[QR code]] displays with Aphex Twin branding were spotted. This, coupled with posters found in Los Angeles,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koe |first1=Crystal |title=Aphex Twin's new augmented reality app lets you enjoy the "festival experience" in your living room |url=https://musictech.com/news/gear/aphex-twin-new-augmented-reality-app/ |website=MusicTech |access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref> led to the discovery of an [[augmented reality]] app named YXBoZXh0d2lu. It was created to tease James' upcoming EP. On 21 June James announced the EP ''[[Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760]]'', which was released on 28 July.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=21 June 2023 |title=Aphex Twin announces new EP |url=https://consequence.net/2023/06/aphex-twin-blackbox-life-recorder-21f-in-a-room7-f760-ep/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621170153/https://consequence.net/2023/06/aphex-twin-blackbox-life-recorder-21f-in-a-room7-f760-ep/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
After the release of the EP, the app was updated again. Using the app to scan the front cover, inner sleeves, trifold insert and vinyl label of ''Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760'' reveals a variety of artwork and visuals, such as a 3D version of the cover, and makes the EP's songs playable in the app.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stock |first1=Olivia |title=Aphex Twin releases new augmented reality app, YXBoZXh0d2lu |url=https://djmag.com/news/aphex-twin-releases-new-augmented-reality-app-yxbozxh0d2lu |website=DJ Mag |date=18 August 2023 |access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref> On 19 August, James performed at [[Field Day (festival)|Field Day]] and released another exclusive vinyl EP, [[London 19.08.2023]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aphex Twin - London 19.08.2023 |date=19 August 2023 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/28020546-Aphex-Twin-London-19082023 |access-date=2 November 2023 |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102202533/https://www.discogs.com/release/28020546-Aphex-Twin-London-19082023 |url-status=live }}</ref> NTS Radio released a [[360-degree video]] recording of the set on 27 August.<ref>{{Cite web |title=You can now watch Aphex Twin's full set from Field Day 2023 |url=https://mixmag.net/read/watch-back-aphex-twins-first-london-show-four-years-field-day-2023-news |access-date=2 November 2023 |website=Mixmag |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102202532/https://mixmag.net/read/watch-back-aphex-twins-first-london-show-four-years-field-day-2023-news |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 September, at a performance at Forwards Bristol, a cassette combining the Barcelona and London releases was released, ''Bristol 02.09.23''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}
On 18 June 2024, James announced an [[Selected Ambient Works Volume II#Expanded Edition|expanded edition of ''Selected Ambient Works Volume II'']] would be released later in the year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Torres |first1=Eric |title=Aphex Twin Announces Selected Ambient Works Volume II Expanded Edition |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/aphex-twin-announces-selected-ambient-works-volume-2-expanded-edition/ |website=Pitchfork |date=18 June 2024 |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref> The re-issue was confirmed to be releasing on digital, triple CD, 4xLP standard and box set editions and double cassette formats.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Duran |first1=Anagricel |title=Aphex Twin announces 30th anniversary box set of classic 'Selected Ambient Works Volume II' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/aphex-twin-announces-30th-anniversary-box-set-of-classic-selected-ambient-works-volume-ii-3766729 |website=NME |date=18 June 2024 |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref> This re-issue included two bonus tracks, "[[Th1 (evnslower)|th1 [evnslower]]]" and "Rhubarb Orc. 19.53 Rev", as well as [[Stone in Focus|the 19th track]] being released on all formats. The tracks were gradually released onto streaming platforms, with "No. 19" releasing on the day of the announcement, "th1 [evnslower]" releasing on 4 September 2024<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lindert |first1=Hattie |title=Aphex Twin's 'th1 [evnslower]' gets first official release |url=https://ra.co/news/81220 |website=Resident Advisor |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref> and "Rhubarb Orc. 19.53 Rev" being released on 2 October 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yopko |first1=Nick |title=Aphex Twin Reimagines Track From 1994 Album, "Selected Ambient Works Volume II": Listen |url=https://edm.com/music-releases/aphex-twin-rhubarb-orc-19-53-rev |website=EDM |date=2 October 2024 |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref> ''Selected Ambient Works Volume II (Expanded Edition)'' officially released on 4 October 2024.
On 17 December 2024 a compilation album featuring a variety of music exclusively released during James' live performances was [[surprise release|released without announcement]], titled ''[[Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023)]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lawson |first1=Michael |title=Aphex Twin drops surprise compilation, Music From The Merch Desk (2016-2023) · News ⟋ RA |url=https://ra.co/news/81813 |access-date=17 December 2024 |work=Resident Advisor |date=16 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Robin |title=Aphex Twin Confirms New Compilation 'Music From The Merch Desk' |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/aphex-twin-confirms-new-compilation-music-from-the-merch-desk/ |access-date=17 December 2024 |work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]] |date=16 December 2024}}</ref>
==Musical style and influences== Writing for [[AllMusic]], John Bush describes James as a "pioneer of [[experimental techno]]" who has "constantly pushed the limits of what can be accomplished with [[electronic instrument|electronic equipment]], resulting in forward-thinking and emotionally engaging work that ranges from sublime, [[Pastoral music|pastoral]] ambience to manic head-rush [[acid techno]]".<ref name="bush"/> In a 1996 review, ''[[The Independent]]''{{'}}s Angela Lewis called him a "maverick of [[1990s in music|1990s]] [[electronica]] [who] exemplifies the finest traditions of [[British pop music|British pop]] mischief".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lewis |first1=Angela |title=Pop & Jazz: Aphex Twin plays the Nia Centre, Manchester |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pop-jazz-aphex-twin-plays-the-nia-centre-manchester-1313431.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pop-jazz-aphex-twin-plays-the-nia-centre-manchester-1313431.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=15 September 2019}}</ref> According to ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'' magazine, James has "carved out his own space in the history of [[electronic music]]" across several genres, with his unique melodies being "the reason he's talked about as not just an electronic innovator but as the sphere's definitive artist".<ref name=FACT50best>{{cite web |title=The 50 best Aphex Twin tracks of all time |url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/best-aphex-twin-songs/|date=14 April 2017|website=[[Fact (UK magazine)|FACT Magazine]]|publisher=The Vinyl Factory Group|location=London|access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704175541/https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/best-aphex-twin-songs/ |archive-date=4 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014 review in the ''[[Financial Times]]'', Ludovic Hunter-Tilney described James as a "musical maverick" noted for "yoking different elements together in unpredictable formulations" and blending "hard beats and uncanny tones; difficult abstraction and populist melodies".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hunter-Tilney |first1=Ludovic |title=Aphex Twin: Syro – review |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2398e3ee-3dfd-11e4-b175-00144feabdc0 |website=[[Financial Times]] |date=19 September 2014 |access-date=19 July 2019 |archive-date=19 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719114516/https://www.ft.com/content/2398e3ee-3dfd-11e4-b175-00144feabdc0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Music publications have described James variously as "the [[Mozart]] of" both [[techno]] and [[Ambient music|ambient]].{{refn|<ref name=Thompson94>{{cite magazine|last=Thompson|first=Ben|date=January 1994|title=Aphex Twin: The Mozart of Techno|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/aphex-twin-the-mozart-of-techno|magazine=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]|location=London|publisher=EMAP|access-date=28 December 2020|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416164945/https://rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/aphex-twin-the-mozart-of-techno|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lester2"/><ref name=DummySep14>{{cite magazine|title=Album of the week: Aphex Twin|url=https://www.dummymag.com/features/album-of-the-week-aphex-twin-syro-review/|magazine=Dummy Mag|location=London|access-date=28 December 2020|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003155801/https://www.dummymag.com/features/album-of-the-week-aphex-twin-syro-review/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=QMar94>{{cite news |title=Armed And Fairly Dangerous |url=https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/aphex-twin-q-magazine-march-1994/ |work=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |publisher=EMAP|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719112136/https://lannerchronicle.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/aphex-twin-q-magazine-march-1994/|archive-date=19 July 2021|url-status=dead|date=March 1994}}</ref>}} Writing in ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2001 Paul Lester identified James's lineage as "electronic greats" including [[Karlheinz Stockhausen]], [[John Cage]], [[Kraftwerk]], [[Brian Eno]], and [[Derrick May (musician)|Derrick May]].<ref name="lester" /> {{quote box|quoted=1|quote=I could just lock myself away for days and get inspired by myself. That's my favorite way to do it. It's more like a pure form of motivation when it's all on your own. But you have to wait until you're really bored and you've got nothing to do. That's when it comes out. That's when I reckon it gets good.|source=—James in a 1997 interview with ''[[Perfect Sound Forever (magazine)|Perfect Sound Forever]]''.<ref name=perfect/>|width=30%|align=right|style=padding:8px;|border=2px}}
James had no formal [[music education|music training]] and is largely self-taught.<ref name="lester" /> Prior to becoming a [[music production|producer]], James spent his teens modifying [[analogue synthesiser]]s and became "addicted to making noises," only later becoming "interested in listening to other people's stuff".<ref name="tq"/> James states that he spent his initial years "ignorant of music, apart from [[Acid techno|acid]] and techno, where I bought just about everything".<ref name="tq"/> He claimed to have been independently making music similar to acid and techno before encountering the styles, and subsequently became enthusiastic about them.<ref name="Reynolds-2013"/> He has cited [[808 State]]'s 1988 debut album ''[[Newbuild (album)|Newbuild]]'' as a major early inspiration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guttridge-Hewitt |first1=Martin |title=808 State Are Three Decades in and Still Looking to the Future |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/808-state-moogfest-interview-2017/ |website=Vice |date=17 May 2017 |access-date=20 July 2019 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720011717/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xyek3z/808-state-moogfest-interview-2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 1993 interview, James identified voluntary [[sleep deprivation]] as an influence on his productions at that time.<ref name="tq"/> He also claimed to have recorded over one thousand unreleased tracks.<ref name="tq"/> He later said he experienced [[synaesthesia]] and utilised [[lucid dreaming]] as a means of developing compositional ideas.<ref name="SABAphex">{{cite web |url=http://www.space-age-bachelor.com/archives/aphex-twin |title=Aphex Twin: Mad Musician or Investment Banker? |access-date=10 March 2011 |last=Anderson |first=Don |year=1999 |work=Space Age Bachelor |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910134203/http://www.space-age-bachelor.com/archives/aphex-twin |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of James's early work was compared to [[Brian Eno]]'s ambient releases, but James claimed not to have heard Eno before he began recording.<ref name="TTIWTOO">{{cite web |title=They thought I was the only one |url=http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/98136133074446.shtml |work=Junglizt |date=1996 |access-date=1 July 2014 |archive-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408074911/http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/98136133074446.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
In a 1993 interview, [[Simon Reynolds]] noted that James had only recently explored [[Avant-garde classical|avant-classical]] and left-field [[Rock music|rock]] artists including Cage, Stockhausen, Eno, [[Steve Reich]], [[Terry Riley]], and [[Can (band)|Can]], and had spent a couple of years "catching up" on other genres outside techno and [[House music|house]].<ref name="tq" /> In 1997 James described himself as a fan of "old [[tape music|tape]] and avant-garde music" such as Stockhausen's "[[Gesang der Jünglinge|Song for the Youth]]" and the work of American composer [[Tod Dockstader]].<ref name=perfect/> He also named works by [[Erik Satie]], [[Drexciya]], [[Ween]], [[Serge Gainsbourg]], and [[Les Baxter]] among his favorite albums.<ref name=perfect3>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/staff2.html#aphex|magazine=[[Perfect Sound Forever (magazine)|Perfect Sound Forever]]|last=Gross|first=Jason|title=Aphex Twin's Favorite Music|date=September 1997|access-date=23 April 2015|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330160510/http://www.furious.com/perfect/staff2.html#aphex|url-status=live}}</ref> When James began programming faster, [[jungle music|jungle]]-inspired [[breakbeats]] in the mid-1990s, he named friends and fellow musicians [[Luke Vibert]] and [[Squarepusher|Tom Jenkinson]] as influences.<ref name=perfect>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/aphextwin.html|magazine=[[Perfect Sound Forever (magazine)|Perfect Sound Forever]]|last=Gross|first=Jason|title=Aphex Twin|date=September 1997|access-date=23 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611121559/http://www.furious.com/perfect/aphextwin.html|archive-date=11 June 2008}}</ref> In a 2014 interview, James said of jungle that "I still think it's the ultimate genre, really, because the people making it weren't musicians," and noted that "for years, I could listen to jungle and nick things from them, but they didn't know I existed."<ref name="pitchfork.com">{{cite web |last1=Sherburne |first1=Philip |title=Strange Visitor: A Conversation with Aphex Twin |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/cover-story/reader/aphex-twin/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821215414/http://pitchfork.com/features/cover-story/reader/aphex-twin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Along with Vibert and Jenkinson, James helped to spearhead the short-lived [[drill 'n' bass]] style, which exaggerated elements of [[drum and bass]], on his ''[[Hangable Auto Bulb]]'' EP (1995).<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref name="Reynolds-2013"/> Acknowledging another influence, James's Rephlex label released ''[[Music from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]'', a compilation of music recorded by the pioneers of the [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Sweet |title=Queen of the wired frontier |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2002/mar/17/featuresreview.review |work=[[The Observer]] |date=17 March 2002 |access-date=14 June 2008 |location=London |archive-date=11 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001544/https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2002/mar/17/featuresreview.review |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019 he described Kraftwerk as a major influence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Warwick |first1=Oli |title=Aphex Twin on the Rephlex years |url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/3509 |website=Resident Advisor |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903105314/https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/3509 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although he said he disliked "[[rock and roll]]", he appreciates [[Led Zeppelin]] (as a source of "great breakbeats"),<ref name="Perez" /> and [[Pink Floyd]] (for their [[psychedelic music]]).<ref name="Perez">{{cite web |url=http://kludgemagazine.com/interviews/Aphex_Twin/2002-07-18/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501160746/http://kludgemagazine.com/interviews/Aphex_Twin/2002-07-18/ |archive-date=1 May 2009 |title=Interview: Aphex Twin |access-date=14 June 2008 |last=Perez |first=Arturo |date=16 March 2002 |work=[[Kludge Magazine]] }}</ref> Asked in 2011 about an artist he would like to work with, James named [[Kate Bush]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Verdú |first1=Daniel |title=Odio al público |url=https://elpais.com/cultura/2011/06/17/actualidad/1308261601_850215.amp.html |website=[[El País]] |date=16 June 2011 |access-date=9 September 2019 |archive-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522041756/https://elpais.com/cultura/2011/06/17/actualidad/1308261601_850215.amp.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Rephlex Records, which James co-owned with Grant Wilson-Claridge, coined the word "braindance" to describe Aphex Twin's music.<ref name="nme"/> According to the label: "Braindance is the genre that encompasses the best elements of all genres, e.g. traditional, [[Classical music|classical]], electronic music, popular, modern, [[industrial music|industrial]], ambient, [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]], [[Electro (music)|electro]], house, techno, breakbeat, [[Hardcore (electronic dance music genre)|hardcore]], [[ragga]], [[garage house|garage]], drum and bass, etc."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rephlex.com/braindance.htm |title=What is braindance? |access-date=14 June 2008 |work=rephlex.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010302124112/http://www.rephlex.com/braindance.htm |archive-date=2 March 2001 }}</ref> According to ''Pitchfork's'' Paul Cooper braindance "escaped the mind/body binary opposition of electronic music" while retaining its club roots.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/15080-parts-1-2-3?artist_title=15080-parts-1-2-3 |title=Astrobotnia Parts 1, 2 & 3 |access-date=16 April 2008 |last=Cooper |first=Paul |date=4 October 2002 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080407101034/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/15080-parts-1-2-3?artist_title=15080-parts-1-2-3| archive-date= 7 April 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
James has been characterised as a figurehead of [[intelligent dance music|intelligent dance music (IDM)]].<ref>The following sources refer to James as either a figurehead, godfather, face, or "most emblematic and recognizable character of" the IDM genre: *{{cite web |last1=Piotr |first1=Orlov |title=Return to Daddy |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/12/22/506196277/return-to-daddy-aphex-twin-conjures-storms-beats-and-catharsis-in-houston |website=NPR |date=22 December 2016 |access-date=28 December 2024}} *{{cite web |last1=Admin |title=10 Things You Never Knew About… Aphex Twin |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/10-things-you-never-knew-about-aphex-twin/ |website=Clash Music |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=28 December 2024}} *{{cite web |last1=Phelan |first1=Tom |title=Hear Me Out: 'Richard D James Album' is Aphex Twin's best album to date |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/richard-d-james-album-is-aphex-twins-best-album-to-date/ |website=Far Out Magazine |date=5 November 2024 |access-date=28 December 2024}} *{{cite web |last1=Mezzolani |first1=Ario |title=Aphex Twin: lucid dreams and portals of consciousness |url=https://lampoonmagazine.com/article/2023/08/07/aphex-twin-idm-music-italy-tour-blackbox-life-recorder-21f-video-art/ |website=Lampoon Magazine |date=7 August 2023 |access-date=28 December 2024}} *{{cite web |last1=Cameron |first1=John |title=Squarepusher Shares "Nervelevers" from Upcoming Album |url=https://selector.news/2020/01/11/squarepusher-nervelevers/ |website=Selector |access-date=28 December 2024}} *{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=Aphex Twin Is the Best Way to Fuel Your 'Game of Thrones' Fever |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/aphex-twin-game-of-thrones/ |website=[[Vice Media|Thump]] |date=27 April 2016 |access-date=28 December 2024}} *{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=Aphex Twin • Biography |url=https://ra.co/dj/aphextwin/biography |website=Resident Advisor |access-date=28 December 2024}} *{{cite magazine|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|title=Aphex Twin on New 'Syro' LP: 'I'm Feeling Really Horny About It – and Very Smug'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/aphex-twin-on-new-syro-lp-im-feeling-really-horny-about-it-and-very-smug-20140903|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615050200/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/aphex-twin-on-new-syro-lp-im-feeling-really-horny-about-it-and-very-smug-20140903|url-status=live}}</ref> IDM is mentioned on the home page of the Intelligent Dance Music (IDM) mailing list at [[Hyperreal.org]] about the music of Aphex Twin and the [[Artificial Intelligence (series)|Artificial Intelligence Series]] released by [[Warp Records]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Brian R|title=The Intelligent Dance Music Mailing List – Hosted by Hyperreal.org|url=http://music.hyperreal.org/lists/idm/|website=Hyperreal.org|access-date=18 June 2014|date=18 June 2014|archive-date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513051003/http://music.hyperreal.org/lists/idm/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series features James's recordings as Polygon Window and early productions from artists including [[Autechre]], Black Dog, [[Richie Hawtin]]'s FUSE project and [[Speedy J]]. The term spread to the United States and internet [[Internet forum|message boards]]. James responded to the IDM term in a 1997 interview:
{{cquote|I just think it's really funny to have terms like that. It's basically saying, "this is intelligent and everything else is stupid." It's really nasty to everyone else's music. (laughs) It makes me laugh, things like that. I don't use names. I just say that I like something or I don't.|Aphex Twin<ref name="gross" />}}
==Image and pseudonyms== [[File:Aphex Twin logo.svg|thumb|Logo used on several Aphex Twin records, designed by Paul Nicholson in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |date=2017-02-21 |title=Aphex Twin Logo Designer Shares Original Blueprints |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/71791-aphex-twin-logo-designer-shares-original-blueprints/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>]] James's face, grinning or distorted, is a theme of his album covers, music videos and songs. James said it began as a response to techno producers who concealed their identities:
{{cquote|I did it because the thing in techno you weren't supposed to do was to be recognised and stuff. The sort of unwritten rule was that you can't put your face on the sleeve. It has to be like a circuit board or something. Therefore I put my face on the sleeve. That's why I originally did it. But then I got carried away.|Aphex Twin<ref name="gross 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.aphextwin.nu/images/interviewsarticles/afx_interview_by_heiko.pdf|title=Aphex Twin Interview By Heiko Hoffmann|access-date=2013-05-22|archive-date=19 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119032708/http://www.aphextwin.nu/images/interviewsarticles/afx_interview_by_heiko.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The cover of ''[[...I Care Because You Do]]'' features a self-portrait painted by James, and that of ''[[Richard D. James Album]]'' has a close-up photograph. His face is superimposed on the bodies of other people in the music videos for "[[Come to Daddy (song)|Come to Daddy]]" and "[[Windowlicker]]". Near the end of the second track of the "Windowlicker" single (known as "Formula"), a photo of James's face is a [[Steganography|steganogram]] which is revealed as a [[spectrogram]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bastwood.com/aphex.php |title=The Aphex Face |access-date=14 June 2008 |work=bastwood.com | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080617152125/http://www.bastwood.com/aphex.php| archive-date= 17 June 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Another image of James and collaborator [[Squarepusher|Tom Jenkinson]] is embedded (in [[Slow-scan television|SSTV]] format) with text in the third track of ''2 Remixes by AFX'', "Bonus High Frequency Sounds".{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
James has recorded as AFX, Blue Calx, Bradley Strider, [[Universal Indicator (collective)|Universal Indicator]], Caustic Window, [[GAK (EP)|GAK]], PBoD (Phonic Boy on Dope), Polygon Window, Power-Pill, Q-Chastic, Dice Man, the Tuss, Soit-P.P and [[Aphex Twin SoundCloud demos|user18081971]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Aphex Twin Drops Six New Songs on His Secret SoundCloud |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aphex-twin-new-songs-soundcloud-980290/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=9 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409081439/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aphex-twin-new-songs-soundcloud-980290/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Beta |first1=Andy |title=Richard D. James: 10 Essential Releases |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=29 September 2014 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9512-richard-d-james-10-essential-records/ |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026201214/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9512-richard-d-james-10-essential-records/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Anderson-Rich |first1=Louis |title=10 ICONIC APHEX TWIN MOMENTS |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/10-iconic-aphex-twin-moments/9 |website=Mixmag |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623185105/https://mixmag.net/feature/10-iconic-aphex-twin-moments/9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hinton |first1=Patrick |title=9 KILLER TRACKS FROM 9 APHEX TWIN ALIASES |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/9-killer-tracks-from-9-aphex-twin-aliases |website=Mixmag |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423162009/https://mixmag.net/feature/9-killer-tracks-from-9-aphex-twin-aliases |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 1997 interview, he said: "There's really no big theory. It's just things that I feel right in doing at the time and I really don't know why. I select songs for certain [names] and I just do it. I don't know what it means."<ref name="gross">{{cite web|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/aphextwin.html |title=Interview by Jason Gross |access-date=14 June 2008 |date=September 1997 |work=[[Perfect Sound Forever (magazine)|Perfect Sound Forever]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611121559/http://www.furious.com/perfect/aphextwin.html |archive-date=11 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2001 he commented on the speculation connected to many anonymous electronic artists: "A lot of people think everything electronic is mine. I get credited for so many things, it's incredible. I'm practically everyone, I reckon—everyone and nobody."<ref name="indexmag" />
==Influence and legacy== Writing in ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2001 journalist [[Paul Lester]] described James as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music".<ref name="lester2">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2001/oct/05/artsfeatures3|title=Tank boy|last=Lester|first=Paul|date=5 October 2001|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610133038/http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0%2C%2C734809%2C00.html|archive-date=10 June 2008|url-status=live|location=London}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described James as a "hugely influential electronic musician whose ambient washes of sound and freakishly twisted beats have gone on to inform artists of all genres."<ref name="rollstone">{{cite magazine|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|title=Aphex Twin on New 'Syro' LP: 'I'm Feeling Really Horny About It – and Very Smug'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/aphex-twin-on-new-syro-lp-im-feeling-really-horny-about-it-and-very-smug-20140903|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615050200/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/aphex-twin-on-new-syro-lp-im-feeling-really-horny-about-it-and-very-smug-20140903|url-status=live}}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s John Bush wrote that "unlike most artists who emerged from the '90s techno scene, James established himself as a genuine personality, known for his cheeky grin and nightmare-inducing music videos as much as his groundbreaking albums and EPs," which helped to "expand his audience from ravers and critics to rock fans, with numerous non-electronic musicians citing him as an inspiration".<ref name="bush" />
In 2001 [[Thomas Bangalter]] of [[Daft Punk]] cited Aphex Twin (particularly "[[Windowlicker]]") as an influence on their 2001 album ''[[Discovery (Daft Punk album)|Discovery]]''. Bangalter said he liked it because "it wasn't a big club beat, but it also wasn't a laid back, quiet one".<ref name="sonicnet">{{cite web|url=http://www.sonicnet.com:80/dance/features/Daft_Punk/032601/index02.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010413130551/http://www.sonicnet.com:80/dance/features/Daft_Punk/032601/index02.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2001|title=Daft Punk Interview: Discover New Worlds|publisher=SonicNet|access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref> Other artists to have expressed admiration or cited Aphex Twin as an influence include [[Steve Reich]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/steve-reich-interview-on-radiohead-aphex-twin-and-the-rite-of-spring-762662|title=Steve Reich Interview: On Radiohead, Aphex Twin And 'The Rite of Spring'|author1=Lucy Jones|date=23 October 2014|website=NME|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726090134/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/steve-reich-interview-on-radiohead-aphex-twin-and-the-rite-of-spring-762662|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Wes Borland]] of [[Limp Bizkit]],<ref name="youtube2">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZkC8RdgGT0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/YZkC8RdgGT0?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZkC8RdgGT0| archive-date=22 September 2021|title=Kerrang! Sonisphere 2014 Podcast: Wes Borland – YouTube| date=4 July 2014 |via=YouTube|access-date=21 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Skrillex]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/10/skrillex-i-stopped-doing-interviews-because-of-the-guardian|title=I stopped doing interviews because of The Guardian|last=Answer Code Request|work=The Guardian|date=10 December 2015|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710202730/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/10/skrillex-i-stopped-doing-interviews-because-of-the-guardian|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mike Shinoda]] of [[Linkin Park]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Shinoda - What's in My Bag?| date=8 October 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qxm-pOwTiY| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/0Qxm-pOwTiY?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qxm-pOwTiY| archive-date=22 September 2021|language=en|access-date=23 September 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] guitarist [[John Frusciante]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 April 2016|title=Aphex Twin Inspired John Frusciante's Next Acid House Record|url=https://www.electronicbeats.net/the-feed/aphex-twin-inspired-john-frusciantes-upcoming-acid-house-record/|access-date=16 November 2021|website=Telekom Electronic Beats|language=en-US|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726071830/https://www.electronicbeats.net/the-feed/aphex-twin-inspired-john-frusciantes-upcoming-acid-house-record/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Matty Healy]] of [[the 1975]],<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ZHGfcENuk&t=2017s |title=The 1975: 'Being Funny In a Foreign Language' Interview |time=33:37 |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref> [[Kevin Parker (musician)|Kevin Parker]] of [[Tame Impala]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tame Impala|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/7822-tame-impala/|access-date=16 November 2021|website=Pitchfork|date=23 June 2010|language=en|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025193245/https://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/7822-tame-impala/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[C418]], [[Zammuto (band)|Nick Zammuto]] of [[the Books]],<ref>{{Cite web|author=Guardian Staff|date=27 January 2006|title=Clogs and the Books interview each other|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/jan/27/worldmusic.popandrock|access-date=16 November 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116040437/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/jan/27/worldmusic.popandrock|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Grimes]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrigan |first=Chris |title=Grimes: An Interview |url=https://www.chrisharrigan.co/grimes-an-interview |website=chrisharrigan.co |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> and [[Charli XCX]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/charli-xcx-sweeps-2025-brit-awards-pays-homage-to-late-collaborator-sophie-someone-who-none-of-us-would-be-here-without-3842677|title=Charli XCX sweeps 2025 BRIT Awards, pays homage to late collaborator SOPHIE: "Someone who none of us would be here without"|date=2025-03-02|access-date=2025-03-02|website=[[NME]]|last=Burton|first=Poppy}}</ref>
James influenced [[Radiohead]]'s transition to electronic music for their 2000 album ''[[Kid A]]''.<ref name="ZORIC2">{{cite news|last=Zoric|first=Lauren|date=22 September 2000|title=I think I'm meant to be dead ...|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0,,371289,00.html|access-date=18 May 2007|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102235438/http://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0%2C%2C371289%2C00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, the Radiohead singer, [[Thom Yorke]], said Aphex Twin was his biggest influence: "He burns a heavy shadow ... Aphex opened up another world that didn't involve my fucking electric guitar ... I hated the [[Britpop]] thing and what was happening in America, but Aphex was totally beautiful, and he's kind of my age too."<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2013 |title=Uni of Yorke Class 1: FlyLo, the Gaslamp Killer & FaltyDL |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/15435/1/uni-of-yorke-class-1-flylo-the-gaslamp-killer-faltydl |access-date=11 June 2024 |website=[[Dazed]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2002, asked if he would tour with Radiohead, James said "I wouldn't play with them since I don't like them".<ref name="Perez" /> However, he said in 2011 that his dislike of Radiohead had been exaggerated by the press and that he had contacted Yorke to explain this.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chaciński|first=Bartek|date=7 September 2011|title=Rozmowa z Aphexem Twinem|url=https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kultura/1519138,1,rozmowa-z-aphexem-twinem.read|access-date=24 November 2021|website=Polityka.pl|language=pl|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124174931/https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kultura/1519138,1,rozmowa-z-aphexem-twinem.read|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2005 [[Alarm Will Sound]] released ''[[Acoustica (Alarm Will Sound album)|Acoustica: Alarm Will Sound Performs Aphex Twin]]'', featuring acoustic arrangements of James's electronic tracks.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Richardson |first1=Mark |title=All-acoustic interpretations of pieces by Aphex Twin. |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/481-acoustica/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715103937/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/481-acoustica/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[London Sinfonietta]] performed arrangements of Aphex Twin songs in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38533-london-sinfonietta-tackles-aphex-twin-squarepusher|title=London Sinfonietta Tackles Aphex Twin, Squarepusher|author1=Llewellyn, Kati|author2=Solarski, Matthew|date=13 September 2006|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621160947/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38533-london-sinfonietta-tackles-aphex-twin-squarepusher|archive-date=21 June 2008 |url-status=live|access-date=14 June 2008}}</ref> The animator [[David Firth (animator)|David Firth]] sampled Aphex Twin in his animated series ''[[Salad Fingers]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.semantikon.com/RESaladFingers.htm|title=Re: Salad Fingers|website=Semantikon.com|access-date=20 February 2014|archive-date=3 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503222920/http://www.semantikon.com/RESaladFingers.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012 ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'' named ''Selected Ambient Works 85–92'' the best album of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2012/09/03/the-100-best-albums-of-the-1990s-100-81/101/|title=The 100 Best Albums of the 1990s – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music|date=3 September 2012|website=Factmag.com|access-date=20 February 2014|archive-date=11 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311193158/http://www.factmag.com/2012/09/03/the-100-best-albums-of-the-1990s-100-81/101/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Personal life== James has made "wild and essentially unverifiable claims" about his personal life in interviews.<ref name="pitchfork.com"/> He has described himself as "just some irritating, lying, ginger kid from Cornwall who should have been locked up in some youth detention centre. I just managed to escape and blag it into music."<ref name="lester" /> In a 1993 interview, he claimed to only sleep two to three hours per night.<ref name="tq"/> In the mid-1990s, James bought a disused bank in the [[Elephant & Castle]] area of London, where he claimed to live in a converted [[bank vault]].<ref name="factmyth">{{cite web |title=Aphex Twin: 10 strange myths and the truth behind them |url=http://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/funny-little-man-the-facts-and-fictions-of-aphex-twins-mythology/ |website=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]] |date=14 April 2017 |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=5 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705161243/http://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/funny-little-man-the-facts-and-fictions-of-aphex-twins-mythology/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He falsely claimed in a 2001 interview to have bought the steel structure in the centre of the [[Elephant Square]] roundabout, though this is in fact the [[Michael Faraday Memorial]] which houses an electricity substation for the [[London Underground]].<ref name="oconnell">{{cite web|url=http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/100771194880071.shtml|title=Untitled|last=O'Connell|first=John|date=October 2001|work=[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]|publisher=[[EMAP]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615033834/http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/100771194880071.shtml|archive-date=15 June 2008 |url-status=live|access-date=14 June 2008}}</ref> In the 1990s, James bought a 1950s [[Armored car (military)|armoured car]], complete with a working [[machine gun]], which he claimed to drive around Cornwall in lieu of a car.<ref>{{cite web |last=James |first=Richard D. |title=Life as a Tank Boy |url=http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/98136109364492.shtml |website=Details Magazine |access-date=17 September 2018 |date=1995 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826131448/http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/98136109364492.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="factmyth" />
In a 2010 interview with ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'', James said he was living in Scotland after relocating from London.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aphex Twin: 'I've got six albums completed{{'-}} |url=https://www.factmag.com/2010/10/28/aphex-twin-ive-got-six-albums-completed/ |website= [[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]] |access-date=2024-10-14 |date=28 October 2010 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110622/http://www.factmag.com/2010/10/28/aphex-twin-ive-got-six-albums-completed/ |url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2014}}, he lived in a village near Glasgow in Scotland with his two sons from his first marriage<ref name="rollstone"/> and his second wife, Anastasia,<ref name="pitchfork.com"/> a Russian art student.<ref>[[Spex (magazine)|Spex]] October 2014, p. 26: ''Aphex Twin: Ein Backup für Millionen'' (German interview)</ref> His sister [[Julie James (politician)|Julie James]] is a [[Welsh Labour]] politician who was appointed the Welsh [[Minister for Climate Change (Wales)|Minister for Climate Change]] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 August 2021|title=Tragedy became Sliding Doors moment for politician|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-58058218|access-date=4 August 2021|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804110435/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-58058218|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://djmag.com/news/wales-new-climate-change-minister-aphex-twin-s-sister|title=Wales' new Climate Change Minister is Aphex Twin's sister|last=Eede|first=Christian|date=5 August 2021|work=[[DJ Mag]]|access-date=6 August 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805201018/https://djmag.com/news/wales-new-climate-change-minister-aphex-twin-s-sister|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2014 interview, James mentioned that he finds it challenging to live in a small village: "You have to speak to everybody, and everybody knows your business. For someone like me, who's a little bit [[autistic]] or something, it can be quite intense." He also mentioned he does not own a smartphone.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aphex-twin-on-new-syro-lp-im-feeling-really-horny-about-it-and-very-smug-49382/|title=Aphex Twin Gives a Rare Interview About His New LP|first=Simon|last=Vozick-Levinson|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=3 September 2014|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820122248/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aphex-twin-on-new-syro-lp-im-feeling-really-horny-about-it-and-very-smug-49382/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 17<sup>th</sup> January 2020, his father died, later stating in his user18081971 SoundCloud profile bio that "it was not related to [[COVID-19]]". His mother died on April 13<sup>th</sup> 2022.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Ue_P7vcRE |title=Aphex Twin - Blackbox Life Recorder 21f (Official Video) |date=2023-07-31 |last=Aphex Twin |access-date=2026-02-16 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Click here to view the tribute page for Derek JAMES |url=https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/james/4804488 |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=funeral-notices.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Click here to view the tribute page for Lorna JAMES |url=https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/james/5034246 |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=funeral-notices.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2020-04-02 |title=Aphex Twin shares a heartfelt message about losing his father |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/48616/1/aphex-twin-shares-a-heartfelt-message-about-losing-his-father |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref>
In 2025, James posted two new songs on SoundCloud. The art featured a photo of James on a beach with a woman, thought to be his girlfriend Cordelia Angel Clarke.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-28 |title=Aphex Twin Shares Two New Tracks, Beach Pic With Girlfriend |url=https://stereogum.com/2481082/aphex-twin-shares-two-new-tracks-beach-pic-with-girlfriend/music/ |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=stereogum.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards== {| class=wikitable |- ! Year !! Awards !! Category !! Work !! Result |- | rowspan="4"|1998 | [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Awards]] | [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Special Effects]] | rowspan="4"|"[[Come to Daddy (song)|Come to Daddy]]" | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2"|[[Design and Art Direction|D&AD Awards]] | Pop Promo Video with a budget over £40,000 | {{won|place=Gold|Yellow Pencil}} |- | Direction | {{won|place=Gold|Yellow Pencil}} |- | rowspan="2"|[[MTV Europe Music Awards]] | rowspan="2"|[[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video|Best Video]] | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"|1999 | "[[Windowlicker]]" | {{nom}} |- | [[Prix Ars Electronica]] | Digital Music | rowspan="2"|Himself | {{won}} |- | [[Online Music Awards]] | Best Electronic Fansite<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.fan.frank-zappa/DDcmNdJW_ig|title=Google Groups|website=Groups.google.com|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=8 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708165748/http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.acorn.programmer/browse_thread/thread/b5fd3717bda6a8d0/d4d3e151a783dffa?lnk=gst&q=ioc%23d4d3e151a783dffa#!topic/alt.fan.frank-zappa/DDcmNdJW_ig|url-status=live}}</ref> | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="5"|2000 | [[2000 Brit Awards|Brit Awards]] | [[Brit Award for British Video|Best British Video]] | rowspan="4"|"[[Windowlicker]]" | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2"|[[Design and Art Direction|D&AD Awards]] | Direction | {{won|place=Gold|Yellow Pencil}} |- | Editing | {{won|place=Gold|Yellow Pencil}} |- | rowspan="3"|[[NME Awards]] | Single of the Year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"|Best Dance Act | rowspan="3"|Himself | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"|2002 | {{nom}} |- | [[2002 Brit Awards|Brit Awards]] | [[Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist|British Male Solo Artist]] | {{nom}} |- | [[Shortlist Music Prize]] | Album of the Year | ''[[Drukqs]]'' | {{nom}} |- | 2005 | Antville Music Video Awards | Best Video | "[[Rubber Johnny]]" | {{nom}} |- | 2010 | [[DJ Mag#Best of British Awards|DJ Mag Best of British Awards]] | Best Live Act<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://djmag.com/content/djmag-best-british-2010|title=DJmag Best of British 2010|date=3 December 2010|website=Djmag.com|access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> | rowspan=5|Himself | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="4"|2014 | [[DJ Mag#Best of British Awards|DJ Mag Best of British Awards]] | Outstanding Contribution<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://djmag.com/content/aphex-twin-outstanding-contribution|title=APHEX TWIN (OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION)|date=18 December 2014|website=Djmag.com|access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> | {{won}} |- | rowspan="3"|Rober Awards Music Poll | Best Male Artist | {{nom}} |- | Comeback of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Best Electronica | {{won}} |- | rowspan="7"|2015 | [[2015 Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]] | [[Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album|Best Dance/Electronica Album]] | rowspan="6"|''[[Syro]]'' |{{won}} |- | [[International Dance Music Awards]] | Best Full Length Studio Recording | {{nom}} |- | [[Independent Music Companies Association|IMPALA Awards]] | Album of the Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vut.de/Artikel/vut/regionen/vut-mitte/vut-mitte-artikel/details/impala-23-albums-up-for-european-independent-album-of-the-year-award/|title=IMPALA: 23 albums up for European Independent Album of the Year AwardV|website=Vut.de|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=3 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803151825/https://www.vut.de/Artikel/vut/regionen/vut-mitte/vut-mitte-artikel/details/impala-23-albums-up-for-european-independent-album-of-the-year-award/|url-status=live}}</ref> | {{nom}} |- | [[Mercury Prize]] | rowspan="2"|Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"|[[Libera Awards]] | {{nom}} |- | Creative Packaging Award | {{won}} |- | Marketing Genius | ''Syro'' album release campaign | {{nom}} |- | 2016 | [[2016 Brit Awards|Brit Awards]] | [[Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist|British Male Solo Artist]] | Himself | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="5"|2018 | Rober Awards Music Poll | Best EP | rowspan="2"|''[[Collapse (EP)|Collapse]]'' | {{nom}} |- |[[Best Art Vinyl]] | Best Art Vinyl<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://artvinyl.com/award-year/2018/|title=Best Art Vinyl Awards 2018|website=ArtVinyl.com|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722183647/https://artvinyl.com/award-year/2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"|UK Video Music Awards | Best Dance Video | rowspan="4"|"T69 Collapse" | {{nom}} |- | Best Visual Effects in a Video | {{nom}} |- | Best Animation in a Video | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="4"|2019 | [[Classic Pop (magazine)|Classic Pop Reader Awards]] | Video of the Year | {{nom}} |- | [[2019 Brit Awards|Brit Awards]] | [[Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist|British Male Solo Artist]] | Himself | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2"|[[Libera Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/A2IM-Announces-2019-Libera-Award-Nominees-20190328|title=A2IM Announces 2019 Libera Award Nominees|website=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726082351/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/A2IM-Announces-2019-Libera-Award-Nominees-20190328|url-status=live}}</ref> | Marketing Genius | ''[[Collapse (EP)|Collapse]]'' | {{won}} |- | Video of the Year | "T69 Collapse" | {{nom}} |- | rowspan=2|2024 | [[2024 Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]] | [[Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording|Best Dance/Electronic Recording]]<ref>{{cite web |title=2024 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |website=Grammy.com |access-date=9 February 2024}}</ref> | "[[Blackbox Life Recorder 21f]]" | {{nom}} |- | [[AIM Independent Music Awards]] | Best Creative Campaign<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aimawards.co.uk/2024-nominees/ | title=2024 Nominees & Winners|website=Aimawards.com }}</ref> | Himself | {{won}} {{end}}
==Discography== {{main|Richard D. James discography}}
{{See also|List of compositions by Richard D. James}}
'''Studio albums''' * ''[[Selected Ambient Works 85–92]]'' (1992) * ''[[Selected Ambient Works Volume II]]'' (1994) * ''[[...I Care Because You Do]]'' (1995) * ''[[Richard D. James Album]]'' (1996) * ''[[Drukqs]]'' (2001) * ''[[Syro]]'' (2014)
'''Compilations''' * ''[[Classics (Aphex Twin album)|Classics]]'' (1995) * ''[[Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023)]]'' (2024)
'''EPs''' * ''[[Digeridoo (EP)|Digeridoo]]'' (1992) * ''[[Xylem Tube EP|Xylem Tube]]'' (1992) * ''[[On (EP)|On]]'' (1993) * ''[[Ventolin (EP)|Ventolin]]'' (1995) * ''[[Donkey Rhubarb (EP)|Donkey Rhubarb]]'' (1995) * ''[[Girl/Boy EP|Girl/Boy]]'' (1996) * ''[[Come_to_Daddy_(EP)|Come to Daddy]]'' (1997) * ''[[Windowlicker]]'' (1999) * ''[[Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2]]'' (2015) * ''[[Cheetah (EP)|Cheetah]]'' (2016) * ''[[Collapse EP|Collapse]]'' (2018) * ''[[Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760]]'' (2023)
==See also== {{Portal|Cornwall}} * [[List of ambient music artists]] * [[List of British Grammy winners and nominees]]
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Aphex Twin}} * [https://aphextwin.warp.net Aphex Twin] at [[Warp Records]] * {{Discogs artist}} * [[SoundCloud]] page: [https://soundcloud.com/richarddjames Aphex Twin]
{{Aphex Twin}} {{Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album}} {{Cornish musicians}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Aphex Twin| ]] [[Category:1971 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:English ambient musicians]] [[Category:Intelligent dance musicians]] [[Category:English techno musicians]] [[Category:British intelligent dance musicians]] [[Category:British experimental musicians]] [[Category:English electronic dance music DJs]] [[Category:People from Lanner, Cornwall]] [[Category:Rhythm King artists]] [[Category:Sire Records artists]] [[Category:Warp Records artists]] [[Category:Chiptune and tracker musicians]] [[Category:TVT Records artists]] [[Category:People educated at Cornwall College]] [[Category:Grammy Award winners for dance and electronic music]] [[Category:Alumni of Kingston University]] [[Category:Irish emigrants to the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Musicians from Cornwall]] [[Category:Irish people of Welsh descent]]