Aphex Twin: Richard D. James

If electronic music really is the next big thing—as so many critic types have been predicting—the way to succeed in the genre will be to make electronic music that doesn't sound like everyone else's. There are hundreds and hundreds of growling industro-metal electro-hacks making records right now, and even more black-clad geeks with scary names like DJ Sikmuthaphuka, most of whom excrete hours upon hours of interchangeable techno noise. Aphex Twin is different: He's still a black-clad geek with a pseudonym (in real life he's Richard D. James), but his computer-generated instrumentals are restless, compelling, often beautiful, and distinctly his. Throughout the new Richard D. James, no two compositions sound the same: "Inkey$" buzzes and crashes around; "Milkman" is an odd, clattering ditty complete with sophomoric lyrics; "Girl/Boy Song" could be the pop hit the record company is hoping it is; and "4" is pretty and downright delicate. Richard D. James won't make you dance, or sing along, or even hum, but it's genuinely hypnotic, multilayered, and impressive through and through.