Now we come to one of Aphex’s most well-loved tracks and probably the most artfully crafted of his discography to date; the kind of tune that could bring hush to a crowded room, or convert diehard rock fans to electronic music, Polynomial-C.
The haunting synth arpeggio is instantly recognisable as it wavers into view, backed by big trancey pads, and a breakbeat that sounds pretty shonky by today’s standards but suits the old-school loved-up vibe of the track perfectly. Anyone coming to this off the back of the harsh industrial techno of the Digeridoo EP might be surprised to find something so unashamedly lush sounding. And while ‘Analogue Bubblebath’ off the debut EP was definitely on the ‘chill’ side of things, Polynomial-C is an undeniable floor-filler, a hands in the air euphoric banger…without being cheesy.
The other three tracks on this EP revert to the harder industrial seam that James was mining across his early releases. Phlange Phace is a densely claustrophobic workout, with a heavily – you guessed it – flanged breakbeat sample.
Tamphex is notable for the sample lifted from an advert for a well-known feminine hygiene product. Immature? – yes. But also terrifying and hilarious at the same time? – yes. There’s nothing like racing towards a frenzied acid-techno drop with the word ‘tampax’ being repeated over and over like a demonic mantra.
Closing out proceedings is the brooding Dodeccaheedron, a track which surely emerged from the same sessions that birthed the I Care Because You Do album, which despite coming out in 1995, contains many tracks dated 1990/91. The broken beat sounds like it was beaten out on oil drums in disused air hangar, while lurking in the background are horror-movie soundtrack-esque strings and an ominous groaning noise like the wind rushing down the chimney on a dark night. The whole piece is eerie, chilling, magical, and an early sign that Aphex Twin’s music was going to take a radical turn away from anything resembling ‘dance music’.
Top track: Polynomial-C
3/5 – Decent
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