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Cheetah [EP]
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Cheetah [EP] Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: As the name of the seven-track EP from the electronic producer implies, it was created on the Cheetah MS800 synthesizer.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Pretty Much Amazing
    Jul 7, 2016
    83
    Cheetah is still his best release since his return to the music scene. If you’re looking for something groundbreaking, you’re probably going to be disappointed, but this is still one of 2016’s best electronic releases, and a worthy addition to the Aphex Twin canon.
  2. Pitchfork
    Jul 7, 2016
    82
    Crucially, with his beats less busy, it has left James more room to focus on spine-tinglingly rich tunings and timbres. And that’s where Cheetah really stands out: To sink into it, preferably on good headphones or better speakers, is to be immersed in woozy, viscous frequencies far more vivid than you’ll find almost anywhere else.
  3. PopMatters
    Jul 14, 2016
    80
    There’s not a single weak track, so the bottom line is that if there’s been a better EP released this year, I haven’t heard it.
  4. Spin
    Jul 8, 2016
    70
    Cheetah is warm, rudimentary (lotsa 808s), and demurely catchy--making it the poppiest record of this career phase by default.
  5. The Wire
    Aug 19, 2016
    70
    Those nostalgic for the Aphex sounds of old may find them here, but served up rotten and misshapen, as an agreeably queasy warning that nostalgia can only get you so far. [Aug 2016, p.46]
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  6. The 405
    Jul 13, 2016
    70
    It's quite an enjoyable listen. It's all possibly about as boxed and pared down as Richard D James has sounded.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 7, 2016
    60
    Cheetah isn’t bad, but it could be the work of lesser producer.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. mgkelly
    Aug 14, 2016
    9
    As always, a new release from Aphex Twin is very welcome. This is very tasty indeed. Always that bit better than anything else out there inAs always, a new release from Aphex Twin is very welcome. This is very tasty indeed. Always that bit better than anything else out there in this genre. As usual, well done, Mr. James!… Expand
  2. krimzon
    Feb 4, 2017
    9
    RDJ dares to venture out of his comfort zone, and uses his tremendous experience and drum 'n' bass sound to good use on the CHEETAH EP.RDJ dares to venture out of his comfort zone, and uses his tremendous experience and drum 'n' bass sound to good use on the CHEETAH EP. Although hardline fans may shun the more mainstream tack taken by the Electronic Producer, we can still see that this is very much James at his rave-commanding, face-warping, acid-techno-ing best.… Expand
  4. p00peeBUM
    Jan 20, 2017
    8
    Great album with some great tracks, a lot of weak ones too, but it's all very solid. A lot slower then your typical aphex album. All in allGreat album with some great tracks, a lot of weak ones too, but it's all very solid. A lot slower then your typical aphex album. All in all one of the best Ep's of 2106. Not as good as Syro but still a good follow up along with that single he realeased… Expand
  5. jaldred
    Jul 8, 2016
    7
    The first half is certainly the strongest in terms of hearing a new sound for Richard's fans, and although he definitely plays around with theThe first half is certainly the strongest in terms of hearing a new sound for Richard's fans, and although he definitely plays around with the Cheetah in an interesting and pretty soothing way, it's just an experiment. Obviously he doesn't care at all about pleasing the critics, he's just having fun and this EP is still conducted by the most skillfull hands in electronic music for sure. The first two tracks are at least worth listening.… Expand
  6. thehonestvoice
    Jul 9, 2016
    7
    The first half is certainly the strongest in terms of hearing a new sound for Richard's fans, and although he definitely plays around with theThe first half is certainly the strongest in terms of hearing a new sound for Richard's fans, and although he definitely plays around with the Cheetah in an interesting and pretty soothing way, it's just an experiment. Obviously he doesn't care at all about pleasing the critics, he's just having fun and this EP is still conducted by the most skillfull hands in electronic music for sure. The first two tracks are at least worth listening.… Expand

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