Wow wow wow. So far, this is my favorite Aphex release since Drukqs. Hands down.
I hear remnants of SAW II with the floaty springy pads and stuff. I actually find this pretty uplifting, even though some have said it's sad/reflective. One thing for sure, there feels to be more expressive emotion here than in any of his recent work, and a focus on simple composition. With the chill easy going vibes, not overproduced, it also conjures the playful and genuine spirit of SAW 85-92 for me. It's not acid obsessed, nor shiny nor hyper immersive, it's just nice. The ambient version is just pure serenity.
This is exactly what I needed and missed from him. Hoping the other tracks follow a similar vibe. I feel like every time he puts out something new, it gives meaning to the era we find ourselves in. Thankful for this.