When it comes to ambient music, few records have captivated listeners quite like Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works Volume II. Released in 1994, this seminal album by Richard D. James (the man behind the Aphex Twin moniker) is often hailed as one of the most influential and mysterious ambient records of all time.
A Departure from the Ordinary
Unlike its predecessor, Selected Ambient Works 85-92, which blends acid house, techno, and ambient styles, Volume II ventures into deeper, darker, and more abstract terrain. Gone are the clear beats and recognizable melodies, replaced by soundscapes that feel more like dreams—or nightmares. James himself has stated that many of the tracks were inspired by lucid dreams, lending an ethereal, otherworldly quality to the album.
Atmosphere Over Structure
The album’s lack of track titles adds to its mystique. Each piece is identified only by an image in the liner notes, leaving much of the interpretation up to the listener. The record is sprawling, clocking in at over two hours, but its minimalistic approach to melody and rhythm invites a meditative listening experience. Rather than following conventional song structures, Selected Ambient Works Volume II offers a series of mood pieces, each existing in its own sonic universe.
Influences and Legacy
The album draws from the minimalist works of Brian Eno, particularly his Ambient 1: Music for Airports, and explores the meditative, looping qualities found in the works of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Yet, James pushes the envelope further, incorporating elements of drone music, eerie soundscapes, and a haunting, almost alien atmosphere.
The album's legacy is profound, influencing a generation of musicians in electronic and ambient music. Artists such as Autechre, Boards of Canada, and Oneohtrix Point Never have cited Aphex Twin’s work as a touchstone for their own explorations in sound. The record has also seeped into the worlds of film and television, providing a sonic backdrop to haunting, introspective moments on-screen.
The Timeless Appeal
What makes Selected Ambient Works Volume II so enduring is its ambiguity. It can be interpreted in countless ways, serving as a calming background to everyday life or an intense, immersive experience in isolation. It transcends genre boundaries and resists easy categorisation, blending the organic with the synthetic, and the serene with the unsettling. Each listen brings something new, a fresh perspective on the interplay between silence and sound.
In a time when ambient music is seeing a resurgence, Selected Ambient Works Volume II remains a benchmark. It’s more than an album—it’s a journey into the unknown, a dreamscape that invites you to explore its depths and, in doing so, reflect on your own internal landscapes. As far as ultimate ambient albums go, it doesn’t get more iconic than this.
This record’s enigmatic nature, coupled with its revolutionary approach to sound, ensures that it will continue to be a pillar of ambient music. Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned listener, Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works Volume II is an essential experience in ambient minimalism.
