When it comes to electronic albums this Aphex Twin compilation is one of my all time favorites. That is likely due to how stylistically varied each track is. The spastic sound is similar to related acts from the 1997 boom in techno music. Notwithstanding the distinction between this collection and other work from the time is that it also crosses over to sparse classical piano pieces, ambient and electroacoustic. Part of the reason for its diversity is likely in that it picks up on the explorations of the genres happening during the album’s recording from 1994 up to 2002. It wasn’t just assembled over a few months like many albums and that is its appeal to me.
Most of Aphex Twin (pseudonym Richard D. James) popularity in the states came along with a groundbreaking special effects video that was widely played on MTV in 1997. The EP that video is off is fine but the diversity on DrukQs makes for a more interesting listen. I love playing through the whole album in the background while I am working on creative projects. He suggested that listeners approach it by picking out isolated favorite tracks and adding their own mix. I always listen to it the same way I did with the CD when I couldn’t reorder anything.
Avril 14th would eventually go on to be his most well known piece according to Spotify streams. This was the result of the song appearing in movies and sampled in a rap years later. I love the pedal steel version someone posted on their YouTube channel. In 2015 Aphex Twin released Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 as a sequel to this compilation.