Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2

Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt.2 features acoustic sounds such as prepared piano, drums, and wood and metal percussion, controlled electronically. James considers it the successor to his 2001 album Drukqs:

Part 1 is Drukqs, as that was the first thing I released that utilised computer controlled instruments, namely a modified Yamaha Disklavier, 2nd gen and a couple of midi controlled solenoid based drum mechanisms I made just after I got the Disklavier.{{cite web|author1=aphextwin|authorlink1=Aphex Twin|title=Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]|url=https://soundcloud.com/richarddjames/diskhat-all-prepared1mixed-snr2mix|website=SoundCloud|publisher=SoundCloud|accessdate=14 April 2015|date=February 2015}}

The EP extends the ideas of its predecessor, according to Mark Richardson of Pitchfork, who noted that "where James used to offer his electro-acoustic pieces as a showcase for lyrical melodies, about half the music here consists of crisply arranged beats, with loping drum lines that occasionally veer toward funk". Much of the album features breakbeat backing. Exclaim! stated that most tracks "fall under the label of avant-garde jazz — some of it experimental and way out there — while other parts are coherent enough to sneak into the darker corners of Ninja Tune's back catalogue."

Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 was announced for release on 9 January 2015 on Warp{{'}}s official website.{{cite web|url=http://warp.net/records/aphex-twin/computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep|title=Aphex Twin / Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP|publisher=Warp|date=9 January 2015|accessdate=9 January 2015}} The track listing, worldwide release date and a list of available release formats were published on Bleep.com alongside pre-orders of the EP. Released worldwide on 23 January, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 was made available as a 12-inch record pressed on 140-gram vinyl, a Digipak CD and a digital download in various digital formats, including MP3, WAV and FLAC.{{cite web|url=https://bleep.com/release/56481-aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP|website=Bleep.com|date=9 January 2015|accessdate=9 January 2015}} An alternative mix of the EP's opening track—"Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]"—was made available for stream and MP3 download on Richard D James{{'}} official SoundCloud account a day prior.{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/01/22/download-a-new-aphex-twin-track-diskhat-all-prepared1mixed-snr2mix|title=Download a new Aphex Twin track, 'Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]' – Music News, New Music|website=Fact|date=22 January 2015|accessdate=22 January 2015}}

In Japan, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 was released on Beat Records and sold 3,627 physical copies in its first week of release.{{cite web|url=http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Aphex-Twin/BRE-50|title=Warp Records / Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP|website=Beatink|language=Japanese|accessdate=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202164126/http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Aphex-Twin/BRE-50/|archive-date=2 February 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2015-02-02/p/3 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201221313/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2015-02-02/p/3/ |title=オリコン週間 CDアルバムランキング 2015年01月19日～2015年01月25日 21～30位 |trans-title=Oricon Weekly CD Album Index: 19 January 2015–25 January 2015 – Places 21–30 |website=Oricon |language=Japanese |archivedate=1 February 2015 |accessdate=1 February 2015 |url-status=dead}} The EP was particularly successful on the independent charts in Ireland and the United Kingdom; it peaked at number 8 on both the Irish Independent Albums Chart and the UK Independent Albums Chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240007&arch=t&lyr=2015&year=2015&week=5|title=Top 10 Independent Artist Albums, Week Ending 29 January 2015|website=Chart-Track|accessdate=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202154011/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240007&arch=t&lyr=2015&year=2015&week=5|archive-date=2 February 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20150125/131/|title=2015-01-31 Top 40 Independent Albums Archive|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=1 February 2015}} as well as entering at number 7 on the UK Official Record Store Albums Chart,{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/record-store-chart/20150125/530/|title=2015-01-31 Top 40 Official Record Store Albums Archive|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=1 February 2015}} where it peaked at number 4 in its third week of release.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/record-store-chart/20150201/530/|title=2015-02-07 Top 40 Official Record Store Albums Archive|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=9 February 2015}} Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 placed in three separate Billboard charts in the US. It fared well on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, entering at number 4 in its first week of release and peaking at number 1 the following week;{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aphex-twin/chart-history/elp/|title=Aphex Twin – Chart history: Dance/Electronic Albums|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=21 August 2018}} the EP also entered the Tastemakers Albums chart at number 24 and placed at number 10 in its second week.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aphex-twin/chart-history/tas/|title=Aphex Twin – Chart history: Tastemaker Albums|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=21 August 2018}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 64/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt-2-ep/aphex-twin|title=Reviews for Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments, Pt. 2 [EP] by Aphex Twin|website=Metacritic|accessdate=6 February 2015}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep-mw0002811698|title=Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments, Pt. 2 – Aphex Twin | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|website=AllMusic|last1=Kellman|first1=Andy|date=26 January 2015|accessdate=27 January 2015}}

| rev2 = Clash

| rev2score = 7/10{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2 | Reviews|website=Clash|last=Martin|first=Felicity|date=26 January 2015|accessdate=26 January 2015}}

| rev3 = Drowned in Sound

| rev3score = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18612/reviews/4148655|title=Ep Review: Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 / Releases|website=Drowned in Sound|last=Bland|first=Benjamin|date=29 January 2015|accessdate=30 January 2015|archive-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130232453/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18612/reviews/4148655|url-status=dead}}

| rev4 = Exclaim!

| rev4score = 6/10{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/aphex_twin-computer_controlled_acoustic_instruments_pt_2|title=Aphex Twin: Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2|website=Exclaim!|last=Keating|first=Daryl|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=25 January 2015}}

| rev5 = Fact

| rev5score = {{Rating|2|5|full=Disc Plain red.svg|half=Cercle rouge 100%.svg|empty=Plain Disc 40% grey or 20% black.svg|rating=disc}}{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/02/03/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2|title=Aphex Twin: Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2|website=Fact|last=Finlayson|first=Angus|date=3 February 2015|accessdate=7 February 2015}}

| rev6 = The Guardian

| rev6score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/23/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-review|title=Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 review: 'Sometimes unlistenably irritating' | Music|website=The Guardian|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=23 January 2015}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7score = 6/10{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/aphex-twin--2/15898|title=Reviews – Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt 2|website=NME|last=Pattison|first=Louis|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=23 January 2015}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 8.3/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20156-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-pt2-ep|title=Aphex Twin: Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP | Album Reviews|website=Pitchfork|last=Richardson|first=Mark|date=27 January 2015|accessdate=27 January 2015}}

| rev9 = Resident Advisor

| rev9score = 3.3/5{{cite web|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=16357|title=RA Reviews: Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP on Warp Records (Single)|website=Resident Advisor|last=Rothlein|first=Jordan|date=28 January 2015|accessdate=30 January 2015}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10score = 7/10{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/aphex-twin-computer-controlled-acoustic-instruments-ep2|title=Review: Aphex Twin Takes Us to His Toy Factory on 'Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt2' EP|website=Spin|last=Weiss|first=Dan|date=3 February 2015|accessdate=5 February 2015}}

}}

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 received an average score of 64, based on 15 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Felicity Martin of Clash called the EP "a difficult but enriching document [that is] compiled of often-jarring, disjointed instruments," noting the "really interesting part of this extended play—it's not about making the robots feel human, but feeling as though you're in the room with them, whirring about around you." In his review for the NME Louis Pattison referred to the EP as "true, manufactured pop music" due to the instrumentation being "played not by human hands, but by signals zipping around circuit boards." He added that "as a challenge—to his audience, and to himself [...] it succeeds admirably.". For Drowned in Sound, Benjamin Bland referred to the EP as "a welcome reminder of James's ability to utilise decidedly avant-garde ideas in a manner that, although acutely alien to our idea of musical normality, is nevertheless engaging and inspiring." Bland also regarded the EP as "highly listenable, no less so than Syro". Pitchfork writer Mark Richardson praised the EP but called it "a release for established fans."

Exclaim! writer Daryl Keating offered a mixed review, describing the EP as "the compositional scribblings of a sleepless man". Resident Advisor{{'}}s Jordan Rothlein's review described the EP as "a moody set that sounds a bit like either Tom Waits instrumentals, a gamelan ensemble going pop, or maybe just some bits from Syro played back at a fraction of their original speed." Rothelin added that "though there's a certain pleasure in listening to an artist figure things out, a full 28 minutes feels like overkill." Writing for The Guardian, Ben Beaumont-Thomas was highly critical of the EP, saying that "if Syro was an inquisitive artificial intelligence ... then [this EP] is like the organic consciousness it was drawn from, its owner now tinkering with jigsaws in a retirement home." AllMusic was almost entirely negative; reviewer Andy Kellman wrote that "nothing is particularly energizing ... the EP should be approached like a sequel—with low expectations."

{{Track listing

| headline = Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 track listing

| all_writing = Richard D James

| title1 = diskhat ALL prepared1mixed 13

| length1 = 5:22

| title2 = snar2

| length2 = 0:20

| title3 = diskhat1

| length3 = 2:26

| title4 = piano un1 arpej

| length4 = 0:50

| title5 = DISKPREPT4

| length5 = 1:53

| title6 = hat 2b 2012b

| length6 = 1:25

| title7 = disk aud1_12

| length7 = 0:10

| title8 = 0035 1-Audio

| length8 = 0:26

| title9 = disk prep calrec2 barn dance [slo]

| length9 = 4:22

| title10 = DISKPREPT1

| length10 = 3:30

| title11 = diskhat2

| length11 = 0:38

| title12 = piano un10 it happened

| length12 = 1:48

| title13 = hat5c 0001 rec-4

| length13 = 4:46

| total_length = 27:56

}}

The track length above is valid for CD, digital download and vinyl played on 33 rpm.

{{Track listing

| headline = 2017 re-release bonus tracks

| title14 = diskhat ALL prepared1mixed [snr2mix]diskhat ALL prepared1bmixed [snr2mix],e,ru,+4

| length14 = 5:22

| title15 = diskhat ALL [snr2mix] [fast],e,+3

| length15 = 4:52

| title16 = DISKLVPRPT1 Equinox barn dance[fast]

| length16 = 2:20

| total_length = 40:30

}}

All personnel credits adapted from Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2{{'}}s album notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2|others=Aphex Twin|year=2015|type=Liner notes|publisher=Warp|id=WAP375}}

Performer

• Richard D James – keyboards, percussion, programming, production

Technical personnel

• Beau Thomas – mastering

Design personnel

• The Designers Republic {{small|(credited as "MITDR™")}} – design, cover art
• Atsushi Sasaki – liner notes {{small|(Japanese CD edition only)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2|others=Aphex Twin|year=2015|type=Liner notes|publisher=Beat Records|id=BRE-50}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Discogs master|785340|type=album}}
• {{MusicBrainz release group|mbid=cdf3513c-f1c0-48aa-b48b-194c03c5dae9|type=album}}

{{Aphex Twin}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2015 EPs

Category:Aphex Twin EPs

Category:Warp Records EPs