{{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox album | name = Quaristice | type = studio | artist = Autechre | cover = WARPCD333 Packshot 350web.jpg | alt = A blue field with scrambled white text. | released = 29 January 2008 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = * Electronic * experimental * IDM * ambient | length = 73:15 | label = Warp | producer = * Rob Brown * Sean Booth | prev_title = Untilted | prev_year = 2005 | next_title = Oversteps | next_year = 2010 }}
'''''Quaristice''''' is the ninth studio album by the British electronic music duo Autechre. Released through Warp Records, digital editions were initially released on 29 January 2008 while physical editions were made available on 3 March.
An experimental electronic album, ''Quaristice'' is made up of shorter three to four minute tracks and focuses more on melody than the duo's previous albums. It was mostly created from extended jam sessions before being cut down and further edited. Equipment used for Autechre's live sets as well as laptops were utilised heavily throughout the album's production.
The album's artwork was created by The Designers Republic, ten years after their last collaboration with Autechre. A limited deluxe CD edition of the album with a steel cover was released, containing a second disc with a variety of alternate versions of tracks, titled ''Quaristice (Versions)''. Later, thirteen digital-only extended mixes of songs from ''Quaristice'' were made available as ''Quaristice.Quadrange.ep.ae''.
Generally, ''Quaristice'' received positive reviews from critics. Many noted its more accessible nature and replayability, and appreciated the variety of ideas presented throughout the album. Some felt more negatively towards the album, noting that it lacked structure and progression.
== Background == Autechre are a British electronic music duo consisting of members Rob Brown and Sean Booth.<ref name="SOS">{{cite news |last1=Tingen |first1=Paul |title=Autechre - Recording Electronica |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/autechre |access-date=6 February 2026 |work=Sound on Sound |date=April 2004 |archive-date=7 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207082636/https://www.soundonsound.com/people/autechre |url-status=live}}</ref> The duo's debut album, ''Incunabula'', would release in 1993 through Warp and saw positive reviews from critics.<ref name="stlouis">{{cite news|title=Recordings|date=10 February 1994|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|page=04G|first=Daniel|last=Durchholz}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/autechre-mathematics-is--the-new-rocknroll-683346.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331164931/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/autechre-mathematics-is--the-new-rocknroll-683346.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 March 2009 |title=Autechre: Mathematics is the new rock'n'roll |access-date=6 February 2026 |first=Mike |last=Barnes |date=29 April 2001 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Beta |first1=Andy |title=Autechre: Incunabula / Amber / Tri Repetae |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22592-incunabula-amber-tri-repetae/ |access-date=6 February 2026 |work=Pitchfork |date=21 November 2016 |archive-date=8 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208144436/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22592-incunabula-amber-tri-repetae/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In later albums such as ''Confield'' and ''Draft 7.30'', the duo's music became more experimental, utilising software such as Max to produce generative music.<ref name="SOS" /> Booth and Brown would move back to more traditional melodies and beats for their 2005 album ''Untilted''.<ref name="APFI">{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Drew |title=Autechre |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6012-autechre/ |access-date=6 February 2026 |work=Pitchfork |date=9 April 2005 |archive-date=18 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260118002058/https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6012-autechre/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
After the conclusion of the ''Untilted'' tour, Booth moved from Suffolk to Manchester.<ref name="PFI">{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Mark |title=Autechre |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6788-autechre/ |access-date=6 February 2026 |work=Pitchfork |date=17 February 2008 |archive-date=3 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203232230/https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6788-autechre/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This saw him and Brown working more portably, making significant use of laptops and gear used during their live performances.<ref name="PFI" /> Gradually, the two moved into creating music during longer studio jam sessions, which led to the production of tracks that would make up ''Quaristice''.<ref name="PFI" />
== Production == The tracks that make up ''Quaristice'' were constructed from extended jam sessions.<ref name="REMIX">{{cite news |last1=Micallef |first1=Ken |title=Easy to be Hard |url=http://remixmag.com/artists/electronic/remix_easy_hard/index.html |access-date=28 October 2025 |work=Remix |date=1 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209094425/http://remixmag.com/artists/electronic/remix_easy_hard/index.html |archive-date=9 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Brown and Booth would do two hour-long jam sessions per day. It would take the duo six months to edit these sessions down into six or eight minute tracks, before further reducing them.<ref name="REMIX" /> This led to the creation of multiple alternate versions of tracks from which they could select for the album.<ref name="REMIX" /> Compared to their previous album ''Untilted'', Booth and Brown focused more on hardware rather than software.<ref name="FM" />
The majority of the album was recorded on their live setup at the time, which included the Mac G4, Elektron Machinedrum and Monomachine, Clavia Nord Modular G2 and Nord Rack, Yamaha FS1R, Akai MPC1000, Alesis QuadraVerb, and Lexicon PCM 80 and 90.<ref name="REMIX" /> Booth and Brown also utilised Digital Performer for editing tracks, allowing them to move around audio and switch between takes.<ref name="FM">{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=March 2008 |title=Autechre Interview |magazine=Future Music |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Future plc |pages=55-58 |issue=198}}</ref> The track "Tankakern" makes use of a Roland TR-606 Drumatix.<ref name="FM" /> The track "fol3" consists of audio recorded on a AKG 1000 microphone, which was processed with a custom patch before being cut up.<ref name="REMIX" /> "Steels" was created using the MPC1000 and "some secret techniques".<ref name="REMIX" />
== Music == ''Quaristice'' has been described as electronic,<ref name="PF" /> experimental,<ref name="NME" /> IDM<ref name="SPIN" /> and ambient.<ref name="NME" /><ref name="AM" /> In contrast to the duo's previous albums, each track on ''Quaristice'' has a shorter runtime, each roughly around three to four minutes in length.<ref name="PF" /> Andy Kellman of AllMusic compared the album to a series of fully formed vignettes.<ref name="AM" /> The album also places greater emphasis on melody, which Colin Buttimer of ''BBC Music'' said the duo had "foresworn for some time" on earlier releases.<ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Morton |first1=Doug |title=Autechre Quaristice |url=https://xlr8r.com/reviews/quaristice/ |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=XLR8R |date=15 April 2008 |archive-date=26 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250626130247/https://xlr8r.com/reviews/quaristice/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Listen | filename = Autechre - chenc9 snippet.mp3 | title = "chenc9" | description = "chenc9" is the eighteenth track of ''Quaristice''. It was described as a techno track with hip-hop influences and click beats. One critic noted it was reminiscent of Aphex Twin. | pos = right }}
Opening track "Altibzz" was described as a beatless ambient piece made up of "pretty analog synthesizer washes".<ref name="SPIN" /><ref name="PM" /> "The Plc" is composed of a repetitive beat made up of a "stiff and mannered snare drum".<ref name="PM" /><ref name="PF" /> "IO" contains "distorted voice transmissions" and "obtuse", "chunky" beats.<ref name="TQ">{{cite news |last1=Doran |first1=John |title=Reissue of the Week: Autechre's Quaristice |url=https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/reissue-of-the-week/autechre-quaristice-album-review-reissue/ |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=The Quietus |date=5 September 2025 |archive-date=22 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922113935/https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/reissue-of-the-week/autechre-quaristice-album-review-reissue/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "plyPhon" has "stuttering kick drums" and focuses on both ambience and rhythm.<ref name="TMT" /> "Perlence" is made up of "scattershot dub-techno" and a "sinister bass line".<ref name="PM" /><ref name="TLOBF">{{cite news |last1=Cemm |first1=Ro |title=Autechre – Quaristice |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/autechre-quaristice-3218 |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=28 February 2008 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210045435/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/autechre-quaristice-3218 |url-status=live }}</ref> "SonDEremawe" contains "nervous ghost-in-the-machine drone".<ref name="PF" /> "Simmm" contains "metal insect clatter" and "deadened chiming and clanging" before "entering an impressive stretch of dramatic minimalism".<ref name="BBC" /><ref name="AM" /> "paralel Suns" {{sic}} features slow, immersive drones and expansive digital textures.<ref name="IGLOO" /> Paul Lloyd of ''Igloo Magazine'' called it "a gentle interlude at the mid-point of the album".<ref name="IGLOO" /> "Steels" contains "flanging scrapes and space-age twangs".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Mason |title=Dusted Reviews: Autechre - Quaristice |url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/4089 |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Dusted Magazine |date=8 February 2008 |archive-date=15 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115095917/http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/4089 |url-status=live }}</ref> "Tankakern" is made up of a "dizzying industrial throb" with "heavy-breathing percussion" and "keyboard squiggles".<ref name="IGLOO" /><ref name="SPIN" />
"rale" was described as a "Drexciya-worthy pitch-black neo-electro" track with a "towering beat" and "acid riff".<ref name="PF" /><ref name="AM" /> "Fol3" was described as a "complex arrangement of textures" and consists of an "overwhelming assault of white noise bursts"<ref name="PM" /> "fwzE" was described as a "taut [piece] of robotic clanker-funk" in a piece for ''The Quietus''.<ref name="TQ" /> One critic described "90101-5l-l" as "future electro-shock".<ref name="DIS" /> "bnc Castl" is made up of hi-hats and snares that are "tucked deeply into the mix".<ref name="AM" /> "Theswere" contains radio buzz, a simple melody and "plaintive pastoral drones".<ref name="TQ" /> "WNSN" contains groaning tonal clusters that are "overwhelmed by their own strength".<ref name="TMT" /> "chenc9" is a "hyper techno" track with hip-hop influences and "tense click beats".<ref name="TQ" /><ref name="PF" /><ref name="IGLOO" /> Peter Chambers of ''Resident Advisor'' said that the track was reminiscent to that of Aphex Twin.<ref name="RA" /> "Notwo" is a "moody" track composed of "looping distorted key drones".<ref name="PF" /><ref name="TLOBF" /> Closing track "Outh9X" is a lengthier track with a "steady electronic pulse" and an "extended ambient coda".<ref name="RA" />
== Artwork == thumb|A disk defragmentation tool that visualises data as squares, which inspired the design behind ''Quaristice''.
The artwork for ''Quaristice'' was created by The Designers Republic.<ref name="RA" /><ref name="CLASH" /> After the release of ''Chiastic Slide'', Autechre and tDR took a break from working together for ten years, with tDR not working on the artwork for the duo's next four albums.<ref name="tDR">{{cite web |title=Quaristice |url=https://www.thedesignersrepublic.com/quaristice |website=The Designers Republic |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref> They would work together again in 2008 for ''Quaristice'', with tDR noting Autechre's music became "harder, more abrasive, less human than before".<ref name="tDR" />
The majority of the artwork and packaging for the album is made up of squares and "minute and precisely laid out Akzidenz-Grotesk type".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knapman |first1=James |title=Autechre :: Oversteps (Warp) |url=https://igloomag.com/reviews/autechre-oversteps-warp |access-date=27 October 2025 |work=Igloo Magazine |date=27 April 2010 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218082209/https://igloomag.com/reviews/autechre-oversteps-warp |url-status=live }}</ref> Booth stated "the idea was to be type based, neat and producty" and that their brief was "really, really specific".<ref name="CLASH" /> The design was originally inspired by disk defragmentation graphics, specifically from Norton's Disk Tools.<ref name="tDR" /> tDR stated the squares lack any meaning, other than "to suggest no meaning at all".<ref name="tDR" /> The colours used for ''Quaristice'' reference old consumer technology user guides.<ref name="tDR" /> James Burton, who handled production at Warp, found a manufacturer that was able to laser-cut into steel, so tDr "re-imagined the physicality of the design as a "techno" metal box" for the deluxe 2xCD edition.<ref name="tDR" />
== Release == ''Quaristice'' was originally scheduled for release on 3 March 2008;<ref>{{cite web |first=Jeremy |last=Chick |title=AUTECHRE RELEASE NEW ALBUM 'QUARISTICE' OUT 3 MARCH 2008 ON WARP |url=http://www.subba-cultcha.com/article_news.php?id=737 |website=Subba Cultcha |access-date=29 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209163721/http://www.subba-cultcha.com/article_news.php?id=737 |archive-date=9 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> however, it was made available for download on 29 January.<ref>{{cite web |title=BLEEP - High Quality Music Downloads from Bleep.com |url=https://bleep.com/ |website=Bleep |access-date=29 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129181242/http://www.bleep.com/ |archive-date=29 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CLASH" /> CD and double vinyl versions were released on the album's original release date through Warp Records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.side-line.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215021528/http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=27802_0_2_0_C|url-status=dead|title=Side-Line - Industrial, electro, EBM, post-punk, darkwave news magazine|archivedate=15 February 2009|accessdate=1 October 2025}}</ref> In reference to releasing physical versions of the album, Booth said "the actual product is the FLAC file – but I don't object to those who want to own something that they can hold."<ref name="CLASH">{{cite news |title=Autechre - Quaristice |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/autechre-quaristice |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Clash |date=6 February 2008 |archive-date=15 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215050121/http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/autechre-quaristice |url-status=live }}</ref> The album entered the UK Dance Album Chart at No. 6 for two weeks,<ref name="UKD" /> the UK Independent Albums Chart at No. 15 for two weeks<ref name="UKI" /> and the US Top Dance Albums chart at No. 13 for three weeks.<ref name="USD" />
A deluxe double CD version of the album was released with a steel cover.<ref name="IGLOO">{{cite news |last1=Lloyd |first1=Paul |title=Autechre :: Quaristice (Warp, Ltd. 2CD) |url=https://igloomag.com/reviews/autechre-quaristice-warp-ltd-2cd |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Igloo Magazine |date=31 March 2008}}</ref> Included was a second CD of alternate versions of eleven tracks from the original ''Quaristice'' titled ''Quaristice (Versions)''.<ref name="IGLOO" /> Paul Lloyd of ''Igloo Magazine'' said that ''Versions'' "covers everything from dark ambience to old school techno and industrial through to cinematic atmospherics and beyond".<ref name="IGLOO" />
Over the course of two weeks, a set of thirteen extended mixes of tracks from ''Quaristice'' were released.<ref>{{cite news |title=Autechre to release 13 new songs digitally over two weeks |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/autechre-2-1326816 |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=NME |date=12 May 2008 |archive-date=21 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621224111/https://www.nme.com/news/music/autechre-2-1326816 |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually, these tracks were combined and released as ''Quaristice.Quadrange.ep.ae''.<ref name="PMQR">{{cite news |last1=Abravanel |first1=David |title=Autechre: Quaristice.Quadrange.ep.ae |url=https://www.popmatters.com/autechre-quaristicequadrangeepae-2496142873.html |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=PopMatters |date=29 June 2008}}</ref> The collection is 150 minutes long, with the tracks being exclusively released as digital files.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neyland |first1=Nick |title=Autechre: L-event EP |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18672-autechre-l-event-ep/ |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=28 October 2013 |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215142512/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18672-autechre-l-event-ep/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Knapman |first1=James |title=Autechre :: elseq 1–5 (Warp) |url=https://igloomag.com/reviews/autechre-elseq-1-5-warp |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Igloo Magazine |date=3 July 2016 |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215142523/https://igloomag.com/reviews/autechre-elseq-1-5-warp |url-status=live }}</ref> The decision to release ''Quadrange'' digitally came after Booth and Brown produced "Perlence subrange 6-36", an hour-long track that would have filled an entire CD, feeling it would be unfair to charge listeners for a single track of that length.<ref name="PMQR" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Muggs |first1=Joe |title=Autechre: elseq et al |url=https://ra.co/features/2756 |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Resident Advisor |date=8 June 2016 |language=en |archive-date=16 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916100756/https://ra.co/features/2756 |url-status=live }}</ref> David Abravanel of ''PopMatters'' called ''Quadrange'' "a simmering exploration of Autechre at their most spacious, and further demonstration of the diversity and profundity of their sound".<ref name="PMQR" />
On 5 September 2025, both ''Quaristice'' and ''Untilted'' would be re-issued on vinyl as part of an effort to re-issue Autechre's back catalogue.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dusted Down: Autechre – Quaristice (Warp) |url=https://www.juno.co.uk/junodaily/2025/08/26/dusted-down-autechre-quaristice-warp/ |website=Juno Daily |access-date=24 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Autechre announces vinyl reissues of Confield, Draft 7.30 |url=https://www.treblezine.com/autechre-announces-vinyl-reissues-of-confield-draft-7-30/ |website=Treble Zine |access-date=24 October 2025 |date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=10 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210022136/https://www.treblezine.com/autechre-announces-vinyl-reissues-of-confield-draft-7-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Critical reception == {{Album ratings | MC = 71/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |title=Quaristice by Autechre |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/quaristice |website=Metacritic |access-date=23 October 2025 |language=en |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310141910/http://www.metacritic.com/music/quaristice |url-status=live }}</ref> |rev1 = AllMusic |rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite news |last1=Kellman |first1=Andy |title=Quaristice - Autechre |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/quaristice-mw0000782803 |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=AllMusic |language=en |archive-date=1 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501201941/https://www.allmusic.com/album/quaristice-mw0000782803 |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev2 = ''Drowned in Sound'' | rev2score = 8/10<ref name="DIS">{{cite news |last1=Ubaghs |first1=Charles |title=Album Review: Autechre - Quaristice |url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/12533/reviews/3029482- |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Drowned in Sound |date=3 March 2008 |language=en |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001043821/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/12533/reviews/3029482- |url-status=dead }}</ref> |rev3 = ''The Guardian'' |rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="TG">{{cite news |last1=Wyse |first1=Pascal |title=Autechre, Quaristice |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/feb/29/electronicmusic.shopping |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=29 February 2008}}</ref> |rev4 = ''The Independent'' |rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="TI">{{cite news |last1=Gill |first1=Andy |title=Album: Autechre, Quaristice (Warp) |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/music-magazine/album-previews/album-autechre-quaristice-warp-794121.html |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=The Independent |date=11 March 2008 |language=en}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Mojo'' | rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>It's a fantastic collection, there's still nothing else remotely like it. [Apr 2008, p.104]</ref> | rev6 = ''MusicOMH'' | rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="OMH">{{cite news |last1=Hogwood |first1=Ben |title=Autechre - Quaristice |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/autechre-quaristice |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=MusicOMH |date=3 March 2008 |archive-date=30 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130214120/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/autechre-quaristice |url-status=live }}</ref> |rev7 = ''NME'' |rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="NME">{{cite news |last1=Naylor |first1=Tony |title=Autechre - Quaristice |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-autechre-9520-332829 |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=NME |date=29 February 2008 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623125557/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-autechre-9520-332829 |url-status=live }}</ref> |rev8 = ''Pitchfork'' |rev8score = 7.5/10<ref name="PF">{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Mark |title=Autechre: Quaristice Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11245-quaristice/ |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=5 March 2008 |archive-date=13 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250813184611/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11245-quaristice/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |rev9 = ''Tiny Mix Tapes'' |rev9score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="TMT">{{cite web|url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/autechre-quaristice|title=Autechre Quaristice|publisher=Tiny Mix Tapes|author=Urban Guerilla|access-date=23 October 2025|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222121659/http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/autechre-quaristice|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Uncut'' | rev10score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>It's their best since 1995's "LP5." [Apr 2008, p.83]</ref> }}
''Quaristice'' received generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which aggregates scores from mainstream critics, ''Quaristice'' has an average score of 71 based on 22 reviews, indicating generally favourable reviews.<ref name="MC" />
Andy Kellman of AllMusic said that despite the large amount and short running time of the tracks, that "the ideas arrive fully formed, never appearing to be dashed off or loosely sketched," and that "not since ''LP5'' has being impressed been so obviously secondary to enjoyment."<ref name="AM" /> Writing for ''BBC Music'', Colin Buttimer called ''Quaristice'' a "fecund joy that deserves your attention".<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last1=Buttimer |first1=Colin |title=BBC - Music - Review of Autechre - Quaristice |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/xrn8/ |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=BBC |date=2008}}</ref> In a review for ''The Guardian'', Pascal Wyse said that while ''Quaristice'' had "plenty of ingenuity and microscopic beauty across its 20 tracks", it was limited by "its own twitchy algorithms".<ref name="TG" /> Writing for ''Pitchfork'', Mark Richardson said that while the album was "in some ways the most listenable album [they'd] created in a decade," he warned that it was "ultimately no easier to parse, and can be very rough going indeed if you're not in the mood for their peculiar world."<ref name="PF" /> Ben Hogwood of ''MusicOMH'' said that the album was an "easier way in" to Autechre's discography compared to their previous albums and that it impressed with its structure, textures and sounds.<ref name="OMH" />
Writing for ''NME'', Tony Naylor said the album had ideas that could have been produced as a "stunning 10-track album" and called its songs "elusively experimental ear-tormenters".<ref name="NME" /> In a review for ''Spin'', Shannon Zimmerman called ''Quaristice'' "simultaneously melancholy and lascivious" and "pure aural pleasure".<ref name="SPIN">{{cite news |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Shannon |title=Autechre, 'Quaristice' (Warp) |url=https://www.spin.com/2008/02/autechre-quaristice-warp/ |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Spin |date=27 February 2008 |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625021702/https://www.spin.com/2008/02/autechre-quaristice-warp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Erik Gundel of ''PopMatters'' said it would take time for listeners to understand the album and that it "demonstrates Autechre's ability to pop in every few years with a firm grasp on the present state of electronic music and a strong sense of the compositional".<ref name="PM">{{cite news |last1=Gundel |first1=Erik |title=Autechre: Quaristice |url=https://www.popmatters.com/autechre-quaristice-2496166107.html |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=PopMatters |date=2 April 2008 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919130839/https://www.popmatters.com/autechre-quaristice-2496166107.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for ''The New York Times'', Nate Chinen noted how "each track heeds a particular design" and that most tracks consisted of "variable synthetic twitchiness".<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |last1=Chinen |first1=Nate |title=Harnessing the Wild Sax, Calming the Mad Metal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/arts/music/09play.html |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=9 March 2008 |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223185647/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/arts/music/09play.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Charles Ubaghs of ''Drowned in Sound'' said that although the album seemed like a "collection of sketches than complete works" at face value, continued listening showed a "welcome abundance of ideas being explored and experimented with over and over again".<ref name="DIS" />
Some critics were more negative towards the album. Andy Gill of ''The Independent'' gave a negative review, saying that the album found the duo "still searching vainly for structure and meaning among a largely impenetrable undergrowth of synthesized ticks and tones."<ref name="TI" /> Writing for ''Resident Advisor'', Peter Chambers called the album a "deliberately average and dull piece of work" and a "creative failure" due to its cover artwork and its "'one idea' sketches with very little progression".<ref name="RA">{{cite news |last1=Chambers |first1=Peter |title=Autechre - Quaristice · Album Review|url=https://ra.co/reviews/5100 |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Resident Advisor |date=5 March 2008 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222180207/http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=5100 |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> In a piece for ''DIY'', Richard Bendall-Jones criticised the lack of continuation throughout ''Quaristice'' and called its "stop-start" approach "irritating and elusive".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bendall-Jones |first1=Richard |title=Autechre - Quaristice |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/autechre-quaristice |access-date=24 October 2025 |work=DIY |date=3 March 2008 |language=en}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{tracklist | headline = ''Quaristice'' track listing | all_writing = Sean Booth and Rob Brown | title1 = Altibzz | length1 = 2:52 | title2 = The Plc | length2 = 4:16 | title3 = IO | length3 = 3:08 | title4 = plyPhon | length4 = 2:33 | title5 = Perlence | length5 = 3:25 | title6 = SonDEremawe | length6 = 1:21 | title7 = Simmm | length7 = 5:00 | title8 = {{sic|hide=y|paral|el}} Suns | length8 = 3:03 | title9 = Steels | length9 = 2:56 | title10 = Tankakern | length10 = 3:39 | title11 = rale | length11 = 3:42 | title12 = Fol3 | length12 = 3:47 | title13 = fwzE | length13 = 2:38 | title14 = 90101-5l-l | length14 = 3:11 | title15 = bnc Castl | length15 = 2:52 | title16 = Theswere | length16 = 2:12 | title17 = WNSN | length17 = 4:56 | title18 = chenc9 | length18 = 4:57 | title19 = Notwo | length19 = 5:34 | title20 = Outh9X | length20 = 7:14 | title21 = nu-Nr6d | length21 = 3:51 | note21 = Japanese bonus track | total_length = 77:06 }}
{{tracklist | headline = ''Quaristice (Versions)'' track listing | title1 = Altichyre | length1 = 1:43 | title2 = The Plc lCp C | length2 = 9:18 | title3 = IO (mons) | length3 = 7:52 | title4 = Phylopn | length4 = 2:40 | title5 = Perlence range 3 | length5 = 7:37 | title6 = SonDEre-ix | length6 = 3:27 | title7 = Tankraken | length7 = 5:28 | title8 = fol4 | length8 = 11:41 | title9 = 90101-61-01 | length9 = 5:10 | title10 = chenc9-x | length10 = 8:28 | title11 = nofour | length11 = 4:24 | total_length = 67:48 }}
{{tracklist | headline = ''Quaristice.Quadrange.ep.ae'' track listing | title1 = The Plc ccc | length1 = 10:05 | title2 = Perlence range 7 | length2 = 10:14 | title3 = Perlence Suns | length3 = 4:07 | title4 = 90101-51-6 | length4 = 8:46 | title5 = 9013-2 | length5 = 2:04 | title6 = Tkakanren | length6 = 10:25 | title7 = 90101-51-19 | length7 = 12:48 | title8 = Perlence subrange 3 | length8 = 7:08 | title9 = chenc9-1dub | length9 = 3:52 | title10 = 9010171-121 | length10 = 4:33 | title11 = Perlence losid 2 | length11 = 7:36 | title12 = notwotwo | length12 = 9:37 | title13 = Perlence subrange 6-36 | length13 = 58:37 | total_length = 149:29 }}
== Personnel == Credits adapted from the liner notes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=''Quaristice''|others=Sean Booth|year=2008|publisher=Warp|id=WARPLP333|last=Brown|first=Rob|author-link=Autechre}}</ref>
* Rob Brown – production * Sean Booth – production * Noel Summerville – mastering * The Designers Republic – design
== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Quaristice'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2008) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Flanders|71|artist=Autechre|album=Quaristice|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2025}} |- {{album chart|UKDance|6|date=20080315|rowheader=true|refname="UKD"|access-date=23 October 2025}} |- {{album chart|UKIndependent|15|date=20080315|rowheader=true|refname="UKI"|access-date=23 October 2025}} |- {{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|13|artist=Autechre|rowheader=true|refname="USD"|access-date=23 October 2025}} |}
== Release history == {|class="wikitable" ! Country/Region ! Date ! Label ! Format ! Catalogue number |- | rowspan="2"| Worldwide <small>(from Bleep)</small> | rowspan="2"| 29 January 2008 | rowspan="2"| Warp Records | MP3 | WARPCDD333 |- | FLAC | WARPCDD333F |- | Japan | 27 February 2008 | Beat Records | CD | BRC-333 |- | rowspan="2"| Europe | rowspan="3"| 3 March 2008 | rowspan="5"| Warp Records | CD | WARPCD333 |- | 2×LP | WARPLP333 |- | Worldwide <small>(from Warpmart)</small> | 2×CD | WARPCD333X |- | rowspan="2"| North America | rowspan="2"| 4 March 2008 | CD | WARPCD333 |- | 2×LP | WARPLP333 |- |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Discogs master|2472|type=album}} * {{MusicBrainz release group|mbid=d2229a06-a11a-3841-a916-f5646e38db38}}
{{Autechre}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Autechre albums Category:2008 albums Category:Warp Records albums Category:Albums with cover art by The Designers Republic