Having listened through the back catalogue sequentially up to this point, it’s striking how much of a step up the On EP feels like. As Aphex’s music goes beyond the broad confines of something resembling dance music, and into a realm that exists on its own terms.
One could argue it was an attempt to appeal to a broader audience, with its inviting piano melody and the gentle sound of rainfall in the background. But any suspicions that Aphex was going all Mike Oldfield are dispelled by the next track, 73-yips, which sees him back in harsh industrial mode with its slingshot kick drum and heavy metallic atmosphere. The other two cuts, D-scape and Xepha, are largely mood-based pieces that point the way to the deep explorations of tone and texture on the upcoming Selected Ambient Works Vol 2.
Among the four reworks on the Remixes EP, is a version by μ-ziq, whose career was just getting started with his debut on Rephlex that year, bringing his trademark distortion and maximal ‘more is more’ approach to the mix; as well as Reload (aka Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard), whose expansive take is probably my favourite version.
The other two, listed as the D-scape Mix and 28 Mix, are examples of James’ penchant for supposed ‘remixes’ that have no resemblance to the original. Is this a way of challenging listeners’ perceptions around the potential contained within a track or just more mischief making? Who knows/cares…
The D-scape mix is a frankly bizarre piece of music with a weirdly organic sense of rhythm that sounds like someone struggling to climb an endless flight of stairs. The 28 mix is another beatless excursion into tone, again with a distinctly ominous vibe that would’ve sounded at home on SAW 2.
On’s popularity is surely due to its suitability for home listening and ‘chillout sessions’, plus of course the charming stop-motion animated video, directed by none other than Jarvis Cocker. The seeds of later more experimental work are sown here though, with the distinctive drum pattern defined by the heavy downbeat, which he would continually explore and experiment with over the coming years.
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