Released in 1999 as a single from his highly experimental and acclaimed work, “Windowlicker” is one of Aphex Twin’s (Richard D. James) most recognizable and perplexing electronic tracks, pushing the boundaries of IDM and intelligent dance music.
Written and produced by Richard D. James, the song is a bizarre and captivating sonic journey. While lacking conventional lyrics, its fragmented vocal samples and intricate sound design evoke a sense of surrealism, discomfort, and dark humor, often interpreted as a commentary on materialism or desire through its unsettling imagery.
With its intricate, fractured beats , warped and disjointed samples , and the signature eerie, processed vocal snippets , “Windowlicker” became a cult classic. Its infamous music video, directed by Chris Cunningham, played a huge role in its notoriety, featuring grotesque, distorted faces of James superimposed on women. It remains a groundbreaking work, influencing experimental electronic music for decades.
A perplexing and avant-garde electronic masterpiece that brings unsettling beauty, rhythmic complexity, and pure late 90s IDM brilliance.