So yeah, I've listened to it all, almost twice through, some of it three times through, and it's all excellent. If this is a product of Ae's fan-appeasement process then huge huge huge thanks to Rob & Sean. Whatever it is, my favourite release since Untilted, and part 4 is my favourite of the 5. I can't list my full thoughts here as it would probably get me sectioned... Some thoughts after reading the thread, particularly on probably-not-purposeful head nods:
13x0 step: Starts out as a rave throwback before being thrown into Ae darkness then back into funky breaks territory. Amazing. Huge grin on the train listening to this for the first time. pendulu hv moda: Ae tablas hell yeaaaahhhh latentcall: Instant head-nodder/shoulder-thumper. That second half is soooo Computer World. Try singing Dentaku along. Described the 4th EP/disc/whatever as Computer World for the 21st century... artov chain: Ae do Burial. Title is perhaps a reference to Art of Noise (as well as obviously Markov chains)? TBM2: Closest Ae have gotten to porn groove freulaeux: Ae are opening a fro-yo stand next to their pizzeria imminently Re. physical releases... how brilliantly shit would all this be as a 5-cassette-boxed-set? It's the kinda thing I'd buy then never ever listen to. I'd also love every track pressed up at 45RPM. Warp should go and develop a >12" vinyl playback system. The whole accessibility thing crossed my mind too. I don't know why, but parts of this seem instantly rewarding. I look at Elseq4 as a nice gateway into the current Ae sound for any newcomers. All of the above obviously doesn't mean it's pop music, but I think this will become a very important release in time. With the nature of the tracks (lengths, jam qualities), it strikes me that they may have recorded these whilst on tour together... Interesting, if so, that many are calling this their best work in a while. I wish I had filmed a reaction video on my first listen(s). I don't think there's been an Autechre release that has gotten me so worked up on the first go. This is possibly the most rewarding release I've ever encountered.