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Syro Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 205 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the first full-length studio release from Richard D. James as Aphex Twin in over 13 years.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 36
  2. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Sep 29, 2014
    100
    A startlingly accessible, possibly even pop-friendly effort. [3 Oct 2014, p.69]
  2. Sep 23, 2014
    95
    We’re going to be talking about this album for years to come.
  3. Uncut
    Sep 25, 2014
    90
    While there's nothing as pop as "Windowlicker" here, it's still thrilling to hear him romp deliriously through all manner of styles in the key of Apex for the bulk of these dozen tracks. [Nov 2014, p.71]
  4. Sep 22, 2014
    80
    Admittedly, Syro will probably not win over a new generation of fans like the Richard D. James album once did, but as a continuation of everything that has made Aphex Twin compelling, it's a triumph.
  5. Sep 30, 2014
    80
    Imagine a mirror which distorts not just the reflection, but reality itself, and you have a fair idea of the stunning legacy to which Syro triumphantly belongs.
  6. Sep 23, 2014
    80
    It’s a breathless record, one that threatens to last an eternity--such is the speed and dazzling depth at which James expresses himself.
  7. Mojo
    Nov 5, 2014
    60
    What is missing is that impish, dangerous side, the famous contorted grin and all that it suggests: humour and horror, surprise and confrontation. [Nov 2014, p.89]

See all 36 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. Sep 23, 2014
    10
    Music is pretty much my life. I can't go a day without listening to music. I'm just so tired of crappy mainstream EDM songs, so listening toMusic is pretty much my life. I can't go a day without listening to music. I'm just so tired of crappy mainstream EDM songs, so listening to this album is not only a breath of fresh air, but also a great comeback. It's not as noisy as some of his older stuff, but it's probably my favorite Aphex Twin album. The disharmonies... sometimes it sounds like you're listening to several songs at once. Now, that might sound messy, but it actually works. It's extremely exciting and reminds me that electronic music still has potential in places I thought were dead. Expand
  2. Oct 24, 2014
    10
    Syro is definitely the work of a Genius. Very intriguing beats and melodies integrated with a masterful use of harmony. The originality of hisSyro is definitely the work of a Genius. Very intriguing beats and melodies integrated with a masterful use of harmony. The originality of his work is noticeable even to the non-trained ear. Expand
  3. Sep 24, 2014
    10
    Great return as "Aphex Twin", the industry won't know wtf this is but the reviews speak for themselves, thank **** for warp records :)Great return as "Aphex Twin", the industry won't know wtf this is but the reviews speak for themselves, thank **** for warp records :)
    Nothing so new here but every song constantly keeps you engaged and is enjoyable and danceable, aswel as of course being a mind****, it's like the track all falls apart then bits smash and collide together creating awesome, organised chaos!
    Expand
  4. Jun 25, 2016
    9
    You wont find anything like this anywhere in the entire electronic genre. This guy just paved the way for Skrillex, Deadmau5, Guetta, etc toYou wont find anything like this anywhere in the entire electronic genre. This guy just paved the way for Skrillex, Deadmau5, Guetta, etc to try and catch up to Richard's ability for the next ten years. There are so many pin-point focused sounds and beat-breaks that he probably spent his entire 13 years of solitude working on Syro. Aphex's best since SAW2? I think so Expand
  5. Sep 25, 2014
    9
    This album is the t*ts I got it in vinyl and 24-bit WAV and I'll tell you it is mindblowing how much this guy can pack into one song. This guyThis album is the t*ts I got it in vinyl and 24-bit WAV and I'll tell you it is mindblowing how much this guy can pack into one song. This guy must be an alien there is no other explanation. He goes a little off-course with some really wild beats but he pays homage to who he is and that's a guy who redefines himself every time he releases a new album. I will tell you though this feels like his most complete work after his second album Selected Ambient Works 85-92. Anyone who could give this album a bad rating doesn't understand the genius that is coming from these "organic" electronic sounds as best as I could describe it. Expand
  6. Mar 11, 2015
    8
    Richard D. James, alias Aphex Twin, aura pris 4748 jours pour sortir son premier projet sous ce pseudonyme depuis l’infâme Drukqs (2001).Richard D. James, alias Aphex Twin, aura pris 4748 jours pour sortir son premier projet sous ce pseudonyme depuis l’infâme Drukqs (2001). Celui que plusieurs considèrent comme le père de la musique électronique moderne nous offre sans aucun doute son œuvre la plus accessible. Syro est définitivement son disque le plus abouti, mêlant la complexité et la nostalgie assumée des années 1990.

    Dans la forme, Syro est conçu sur un modèle plus raisonné, calculé. James a opté pour une approche alternative où il respecte une ligne directrice durant ses 12 pièces. Caractérisé par l’absence de déséquilibre musical, Aphex Twin fait soigneusement revivre ses origines électroniques. Syro est authentique au style perfectionné par le compositeur irlandais: une affirmation de la maitrise de son genre.

    Ce qui frappe, initialement, c’est l’axe de l’album orienté vers la découverte du monde particulier de James. L’œuvre merveilleusement mixée se définit par la cohérence de ses lignes de basses, des ses mélodies sophistiquées et par son rythme accéléré. Syro offre un voyage dans le détail, expérience procurée par le génie d’Aphex Twin. L’artiste s’est même permis d’ajouter quelques incompréhensibles partitions vocales, une bricole qu’il n’a que très rarement inclus dans ses productions antérieures. Flirtant avec des sonorités néo-jazz et les atmosphères technos teintées d’influences funk, l’esthétique de l’album repose particulièrement dans le souci de magnanimité et de grandeur. L’album est opaque sans être étouffant. Les initiés s’y retrouveront facilement alors que les nouveaux venus pourront s’y perdre avec plaisir.

    Aphex Twin
    Courtoisie Aphex Twin

    La puissance de Syro réside dans l’originalité de son traitement des sons. Le créateur a utilisé plus de 70 instruments, dont plusieurs d’une autre époque: mélangeurs, synthétiseurs, logiciels, boîtes à rythmes et autres compresseurs. Fait étrange: la liste de tous les outils utilisés ainsi que le coût total de l’album est inscrite à l’intérieur de l’album. Selon Ian Anderson, responsable de la conception visuelle de Syro, la diffusion de cette liste raconte à l’auditeur tout et rien à propos de sa création qui se veut probablement son accomplissement le plus personnel, comme le témoigne la dernière portion (Aisatasana 102) de l’album. Pièce composée uniquement d’une magnifique mélodie au piano avec le chant des oiseaux en arrière-plan, rappelant vaguement sa plus que copiée pièce April 14th. Dans les faits, Syro reste l’œuvre d’un homme mystérieux, œuvrant seul dans un monde qui, désormais, lui appartient. Sans surestimer quoi que ce soit, Aphex Twin nous offre un splendide retour – avec plus à venir.
    Expand
  7. Dec 8, 2014
    2
    All the crtics who gave it a 9 or 10 -- I bet they never listen to the album again. The easiest thing in the world is to create sounds, addingAll the crtics who gave it a 9 or 10 -- I bet they never listen to the album again. The easiest thing in the world is to create sounds, adding fx, tweaking tweakin... but placing many sounds together does not make a song. So what if there are lots of 'ideas' in a track if there is very little cohesion. Not sure why it's seen as genius... it sounds to me like a lot of indulgent noodling. Maybe it's simply ear relief compared to recent EDM. But "Hey this is a cool effect on the drums, hey so's this, and this, lemme put em all together" does not make for intriguing, or sustained listening. Imagine improv jazz mixed with elevator muzak, with outdated synth sounds but some production skillz, and you have this album. Expand

See all 27 User Reviews

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