Music From The Merch Desk 2016 - 2023

Aphex Twin has absolutely spoiled us this year. Even though a lot of it has just been reissues or old material resurfacing, I’ve been more than happy with everything we’ve gotten. Just when I thought he was done pulling surprises out of thin air, boom—he drops all the highly sought-after Merch Booth EPs onto streaming. For those of us who missed out on the vinyl exclusives (aka most of us), this feels like hitting the jackpot.

Since I’ve already covered most of these EPs in bits and pieces, I figured it’d be cool to compile all my thoughts in one place for you to check out. Let’s dive in:

Houston, TX 12.17.16

If you liked the energy of “180db_ [130]” from Syro but want something a little more stripped back, this EP is your vibe. It’s got that same punchy, high-octane feel, but it’s a bit more low-key, with some drone elements mixed in that make the whole thing feel a little off-kilter—in classic Aphex Twin style. Both tracks feel super interconnected, almost like one long piece split into two, which is cool, but I wish it had a bit more funkiness like Syro. Still, for a two-track vinyl-exclusive EP, I’m not mad. It’s solid, even if it’s not doing anything groundbreaking.

London 03.06.17

Okay, this one caught me off guard. It’s technically an Aphex Twin project now, so I had to cover it. The variety on here is insane—probably the most diverse thing Richard’s put out since Syro. It’s a meaty, hour-long EP (though calling it an EP feels like a stretch), bouncing between all kinds of sounds. Some tracks absolutely hit, others… not so much. But that unpredictability is part of what makes Aphex Twin so brilliant. Even when something doesn’t fully land, it still manages to be fascinating. Not my favorite, but I’m glad it’s on streaming now because it’s definitely worth a listen.

London 14.09.2019

This one’s a bit more chill. At first, I thought these were live recordings from his shows (rookie mistake), but they’re actually studio tracks made for each merch booth. The set feels calm and straightforward—maybe even too straightforward compared to his usual chaos—but it’s surprisingly approachable. If you’re new to Aphex Twin, this might be a great place to start. It’s lucid, weird in all the right ways, and just a super enjoyable listen. Nothing too wild, but it still holds that special RDJ magic.

Manchester 20.09.2019

The last of the Merch Booth EPs I needed to cover! This one blends Aphex Twin and his AFX persona, and it’s probably the most lighthearted of the bunch. It’s got a Tron-like vibe that feels perfect for late-night studying or zoning out. Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but there’s something cool about hearing RDJ play it “plain.” Even with the simplicity, it still feels distinctively him. Honestly, this might be my favorite from the series. It’s just such a fun, breezy listen.

Barcelona 16.06.2023

For being just over seven minutes long, this one packs a punch. It’s probably the most spacious thing Richard’s done since SAW Vol. 2—though don’t get it twisted; they don’t sound alike. Both tracks here feel super cohesive, like one song split in two. That said, I wish it was more fleshed out. If he had built on this atmosphere with a longer runtime or more tracks, it could’ve been one of his most captivating projects. As it stands, it’s a cool little addition to his catalog, but it doesn’t quite blow me away.

London 19.08.2023

This one almost got away from me. I had to start and stop it like six times before I could properly sit down with it. Not because it’s long—it’s only 15 minutes—but because life kept getting in the way. Anyway, it’s another short and sweet EP, super easy to listen to. While it’s not mind-blowing, it’s solid ear candy. It feels like Richard sharpening his knob-twisting skills more than anything groundbreaking, but that’s fine by me. It’s not on the same level as Blackbox Life Recorder, but it’s still a nice little release. I honestly thought it was gonna stay a vinyl-only project, so seeing it hit streaming feels like a win.

It’s been such a wild year for Aphex Twin fans. Whether you’re diving into these for the first time or revisiting them now that they’re on streaming, it’s such a treat to have these Merch Booth EPs in one place.

APHEX TWIN - MUSIC FROM THE MERCH DESK 2016 - 2023

RATING - 8.7/10

FAVORITE TRACK - N/A

GENRE - Dance, Electronic