Aphex Twin Shares Surprise Collection, “Music from the Merch Desk (2016-2023)”

The enigmatic British electronic music masters Aphex Twin (aka Richard D. James) have released a surprising compilation album featuring Music for Merchandise Station (2016-2023) A collection of limited edition records from the past decade.

The 38-track compilation, released without any prior warning on Tuesday (December 17), features all of the six limited-edition vinyl records originally released between 2016 and 2023 on the eponymous merchandise counter. music.

The compilation has been completed seven years since these original records first appeared – Houston, Texas 17/12/2016 – The song was also released without warning during Aphex Twin’s first US date in eight years as part of Houston’s Day for Night festival.

A number of other recordings have since been released sporadically, including performances in London in 2017, 2019 and 2023, as well as shows in Manchester in 2019 and Barcelona in 2023. That’s it, scalpers were quick to try to flip these sought-after records online for exorbitant prices.

Aphex twins London03.06.17 The album has previously been expanded upon its initial physical release and will be re-released digitally next month, adding a further 10 tracks, with a further bonus track due out in April 2024 under the record’s revised title, London03.06.17 [field day].

This new compilation is the follow-up to Aphex Twin’s 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition Selected Environmental Works Volume 2 October. While its original 1994 release eschewed charts outside of James’ native UK, the album’s subsequent popularity and influence saw it occupy numerous high chart positions following its re-release. In addition to once again topping the UK Dance Albums Chart, the record debuted at No. 135 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.

Aphex Twin haven’t released a studio album since 2014, although there have been a few EPs and singles over the past decade following the aforementioned merchandise drops. Cirowhich won the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album the following year.