How Aphex Twin Makes Music in His Dreams

In the early 90s, Aphex Twin was on top of the world. After having released his highly acclaimed debut album, "Selected Ambient Works 85-92", he became a poster child for techno and toured with the likes of The Orb, Orbital and Moby.

But when the time came to release his sophomore album, Richard D. James (Aphex Twin) took a very different approach. Instead of leaning back on the techno that had made him a name, James took us on a nearly three-hour-long, introspective journey of mystery and imagination.

Obsessed with making tracks in his dreams, James, a trained lucid dreamer, would apparently write music in his dreams (in an imaginary studio and with imaginary instruments) and then recreate it, to the best of his ability, when awake. Thus, "Selected Ambient Works Volume II" was born.

Though the album divided both critics and fans at the time, in retrospect, Ambient Works II has garnered acclaim, and is today considered one of the greatest ambient albums of all time.

00:00 Intro
01:02 History of Aphex Twin
02:21 First EPs
02:45 Selected Ambient Works 85-92
04:08 Selected Ambient Works Volume II (SAW II)
05:28 Ambient Music & Brian Eno
07:00 SAW II: Length & Tracklist
08:09 SAW II: Lucid Dreaming
10:33 SAW II: Artwork
11:43 SAW II: Summary
13:22 Conclusion

#videoessay #aphextwin #afx #ambient #musicdocumentary #90s #ambienttechno #idm #warprecords #glitch #brianeno #darkambient #drone #minimalism #polygonwindow #thetuss #musichistory #techno #jungle #experimental #radiohead #luciddreams

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[AlbumAffairs]

March 7, 2024, is the 30th anniversary of Selected Ambient Works Volume II. How would you describe this mysterious album? And was it really made in James’ dreams you think?

[Sinthe]

I'm shocked this doesn't have more views. Props on that editing style, it fits well with the AFX in the background.

[Auramus]

As a lucid dreamer myself, I have no doubt he was telling the truth there. In those final few minutes pre-wakeup I've conjured up a lot of great music myself, though I can't play an instrument so I'd simply record myself humming it instead. Though for much grander music with an entire orchestra, humming doesn't do it justice. What I should have done was realize that if all you do is record a hum, then you're leaving the dream to die. If you don't at least sit down and write in more detail, you won't remember later. I gambled on remembering, and sometimes i can bring the memory back, but over time everything fades. Now I'm sitting here, 25 years old wondering if when I'm 50 I'll look back and think of myself as someone who never followed through. I like to say I'm doing what I can, but that's not true. There's always something you can do to better yourself, and for an artist to simply leave in the trash the ideas that came about by creative wonder is like spiritual suicide in a way. You've got to pick your burdens carefully in Life, and the burden of unfulfilled creativity is a tough one.

[notafunnykid]

It is criminal that this only has 65 likes, this is an amazing video

[Asachara]

" i dont care what its called, all that matters is if i like it or not" hell yea this is what ive always lived by

[XpRnz]

Cheers for this loveletter to Aphex, very interesting and well done!

[Abruzzo]

To me, SAWII is much more his ''Dark Side of the Moon" album than the first one. That album, along with ICBYD, and the On ep was easily my favorite era of Aphex Twin....roughly 1993-95. I sometimes wonder how much more insteresting his music would have been without the influence of his friends at the time aka Squarepusher etc. which obviously influenced his sound from the RDJ album onwards.

[DedicatedSpirit]

I have a feeling Richard was taking the piss out of us when he said he makes music while lucid dreaming

[vinzaux]

really well made video, i loved it. keep it uppp

[ricardocardenas]

An essential album. It was the very first completely ambient album I ever listened to. Still has the same effect on me; it is still astonishing, awe-inspiring. Thank you for your video!

[dirtynumbangelboy-]

Selected Ambient Works 85-92 changed my life.
Your breakdown of Vol.II was beautifull. Just wish Blue Calx was mentioned as well.

[vitoralexandre]

Great video! You deserve way more attention! Love the visuals and the information was overall very relevant.

[adamsmith]

This album was designed to take acid trips to.

[hiphyro]

actually amazing video honestly. I think its really cool how he talks about lucid dreaming even if maybe some of it is him being funny with the press. I love at the very least attempting it (ive been successful a few times) and find it crazy that one of my biggest inspirations, richard d james, does it as well. Ive even heard songs completely made up in my dreams - not necessarily me making them as im not knowledgeable in producing music (though id like to give it a try) - but instead just randomly occuring in my dreams sometimes, and it always sounds pretty amazing. I bring it up because it happened last night and I swear it sounded like Aphex Twin. I don't know anyone who really comes close to what he's doing.

[Nethanel]

1:29 - 1:46 This description is very similar to things I have read or heard of Jeff Lynne and Prince regarding their music work ethic. Just doing nothing but spending 14 hours a day in the studio making music. I suspect the same can be said of Jacob Collier. These men and James are just pure conduits for music evident in their richness, originality, and creativity overall.

[rtwo_]

I thought this had, like, at least 50000 views. I'm impressed with the editing, keep going mate!

[kristofwynants]

I bought this album in vynil when it came out, it still gets a spin every couple of months. Definitely an icon

[Sophtas]

Congrats, very well documented, I loved the conclusion of it : what matters the most is the act of creating. Do whatever you love for the pure joy of it and pursue your passion! I would add to this : try to put your soul in everything you do!

[Edward-cpri]

I have only listened to this album when falling asleep. I can only make it to the third track awake. It’s very weird because the rest of the album I am familiar with, but only with what I remember in my dreams. I have a reoccurring moment in my dreams where I will be in the middle of a dream and I can hear stone in focus, and I will interrupt anything that is happening in the dream to go into a trance with my arms in the air and communicate with the song. Sometimes the song with the eerie voices will pull me out of whatever dream space I am in and I have returned to what seems to be a giant library with many faceless people shuffling about. There are more things that happen, but things merely a comment. I have listened to the album this way since I heard of it, and I will not stop.

[llgeji]

amazing work thanks for sharing your love for Aphex Twin