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{| align="right" border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=225 style="margin-left:3px"
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
!align="center" bgcolor="orange" colspan="3"|''drukqs''
{{Infobox album
|-
| name = drukQs
|align="center" colspan="3"|[[Image:Drukqs_album_cover.jpeg]]
| type = studio
|-
!align="center" bgcolor="orange" colspan="3"|Album by [[Aphex Twin]]
| artist = [[Aphex Twin]]
| cover = Drukqs (Front Cover).png
|-
| alt =
!align="left" valign="top"|Released
| released = {{start date|2001|10|22|df=yes}}
|colspan="2" valign="top"|[[October 22]], [[2001]]
| recorded =
|-
| studio =
!align="left" valign="top"|Recorded
| genre =
|colspan="2" valign="top"|???
*[[Drill 'n' bass]]<ref name="The Soft Side of Aphex Twin">{{cite web |last1=MCGillevray |first1=Becky |title=The Soft Side of Aphex Twin |url=https://www.keymag.co.uk/features/the-soft-side-of-aphex-twin |website=KEYMAG |access-date=6 October 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124084744/https://www.keymag.co.uk/features/the-soft-side-of-aphex-twin |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Aphex Twin – Drukqs">{{cite web |last1=Seymour III |first1=Malcolm |title=Aphex Twin – Drukqs |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/225-drukqs/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419040028/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/225-drukqs/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
*[[Contemporary classical music|classical]]<ref name="needham2001"/><ref name="blashill2001"/>
!align="left" valign="top"|[[Musical genre|Genre]]
*[[drum and bass]]<ref name="Reynolds2001"/><ref name=needham2001/>
|colspan="2" valign="top"|[[Ambient music|Ambient]]/[[techno music|Techno]]
*[[Electroacoustic music|electroacoustic]]<ref name="Aphex Twin – Drukqs"/>
|-
*[[Acid techno|acid]]<ref name="Aphex Twin – Drukqs"/>
!align="left" valign="top"|Length
*[[techno]]<ref name=needham2001/>
|colspan="2" valign="top"|100 [[minute|min]] 41 [[second|sec]]
*[[Intelligent dance music|IDM]]<ref name="blashill2001" />
*[[ambient music|ambient]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ducker |first1=Eric |title=The Long Tail of Aphex Twin's 'Avril 14th' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/arts/music/aphex-twin-avril-14th.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=6 October 2021 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122072110/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/arts/music/aphex-twin-avril-14th.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| length = {{Duration|m=100|s=37}}
| label = [[Warp (record label)|Warp]]
| producer = [[Aphex Twin]]
| chronology = [[Aphex Twin|Richard D. James]]
| prev_title = 2 Remixes by AFX
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = [[26 Mixes for Cash]]
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Aphex Twin]] album
| type = studio
| prev_title = [[Richard D. James Album]]
| prev_year = 1996
| title = Drukqs
| year = 2001
| next_title = [[26 Mixes for Cash]]
| next_year = 2003}}
}}


'''''Drukqs''''' (stylised as '''''drukQs''''') is the fifth studio album by [[Aphex Twin]], the alias of British [[electronic music]]ian Richard D. James, released in 2001 on [[Warp Records|Warp]]. It is a [[double album]] alternating primarily between tracks of meticulously programmed [[drum and bass]]-inspired beats and computer-controlled [[classical music|classical]] piano pieces.<ref name=needham2001/><ref name="Interview">{{cite web |last1=O'Connell |first1=John |title=Interview |url=http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/100771194880071.shtml |website=[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]] |access-date=17 September 2018 |date=2001 |archive-date=15 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615033834/http://www.aphextwin.nu/learn/100771194880071.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> It features the piano composition "[[Avril 14th]]," one of James's best-known recordings.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/aphex-twin-avril-14th/|title=How Aphex Twin's piano lullaby 'Avril 14th' became a runaway pop culture hit|date=2017-04-14|website=FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419040029/https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/14/aphex-twin-avril-14th/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!align="left" valign="top"|[[Record label]]
|colspan="2" valign="top"|[[Warp Records]]
|-
!align="left" valign="top"|[[Record producer|Producer]]
|colspan="2" valign="top"|[[Richard D. James]]
|-
!bgcolor="orange" colspan="3"|Professional reviews
|-
!align="left" valign="top"|<small>''[http://www.allmusic.com/ AMG]''</small>
|valign="top"|3 stars out of 5
|valign="top"|<small>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDMISS70406260849491448&sql=Aqc6xlfde0cqy link]</small>
|-
!bgcolor="orange" colspan="3"|Aphex Twin Chronology
|-align="center"
|valign="top"|<small>''[[Richard D. James Album]]''<br />([[1996]])</small>
|valign="top"|<small>''drukqs''<br />([[2001]])</small>
|valign="top"|<small></small>
|}
{{wrongtitle|title=drukqs}}
'''''drukqs''''' is an [[experimental music|experimental]] [[double album ]] by Richard D. James, commonly known as [[Aphex Twin]]. It was released [[October]] 22nd, 2001. The title's pronunciation is debatable, due to the cover art capitalizing the "q" , leading to many fans to refer to it as "druck-use" (ie, drug-use). However, ''drukqs'' is spelled all lower case everywhere else on the packaging, so most fans simply pronounce it "drucks".


''Drukqs'' was released to get around a potential leak of James's music after accidentally leaving an MP3 player behind on a plane while traveling to [[Scotland]] with Rephlex co-founder Grant Wilson-Claridge. It was intended to be his final release with Warp, per his contract with the label at the time.
After releasing the ''[[Windowlicker]]'' single in [[1999]], James took a long break from recording. During this time, he played [[DJ]] sets in his home of [[Cornwall]], re-released his first album on the [[Warp Records|Warp]] label ''[[(Surfing On Sine Waves)]]'', and spread misinformation that he was retiring from making music. In late [[2001]], [[rumor]]s began circulating about a new album coming out. One of the rumors claimed that Richard had stored the entire new album on an [[MP3]] player, but had lost it on a plane with no backup copies, and that the ''drukqs'' would be a selection of unreleased tracks instead. This is a plausible hypothesis, as the electronic tracks are strikingly similar in style to previous works ''(see the Style section for more details)''. James also seems to be on poor terms with Warp Records, his label, and may have released this half-unreleased tracks/half piano double album to fulfill his contract requirements. Another explanation is that James simply took some time off in between ''Windowlicker'' and ''drukqs''.


''Drukqs'' was released to a mixed reception from music critics, with many of them dismissing it as inferior to his earlier works.<ref name="rsag2004" /> The album peaked at number 22 on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/alt-j-s-this-is-all-yours-secures-the-no-1-album-slot-on-30-947-sales/059709|title=Official Charts Analysis: alt-J's This Is All Yours secures No 1 album slot on 30,947 sales|work=[[Music Week]]|publisher=Intent Media|last1=Pakinkis|first1=Tom|date=29 September 2014|access-date=29 September 2014}} {{subscription required}}</ref> James would not release another album under the alias Aphex Twin until ''[[Syro]]'' (2014).
== Track listing ==


==Background==
''drukqs'' is comprised of 30 tracks, divided into two discs on the [[Compact Disc|CD]] release (15 songs on each disc), and onto 8 sides on the quadruple vinyl release. Sides A through D are intended to be played at 45 [[rpm]], while sides E through H are meant to be played at 33 [[rpm]] (although many fans find pleasure in listening to the songs sped up or slowed down).
James decided to release ''Drukqs'' primarily to circumvent a potential [[Music leak|leak]] after he accidentally left behind an [[MP3 player]] containing 180 of his unreleased tracks on a plane while traveling to Scotland with [[Rephlex Records|Rephlex]] co-founder [[Grant Wilson-Claridge]]: "I thought, 'They're gonna fucking come on the internet sooner or later so I may as well get an album out of it first.'"<ref name="Interview"/> He intended it to be his final release as part of his contractual obligation to [[Warp Records|Warp]].<ref name="I"/> It was released as a double album.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Horner |first1=Al |title=A decade of Drukqs: Aphex Twin's opus, ten years on |url=https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4143832-a-decade-of-drukqs--aphex-twin%E2%80%99s-opus-ten-years-on |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=DrownedInSound |date=23 October 2011 |language=en}}</ref> About the album's two-disc length, James said "the way I listen to music now is that I buy a CD, put it on the computer and just take the tracks I want anyway. I'd hope that people would do the same with this CD."<ref name="I"/>


Many track names are written in [[Cornish language|Cornish]]—for example, "Jynweythek" ("Machine")—or are coded titles.<ref name="Lester">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0,3605,563163,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Tank boy | first=Paul | last=Lester | date=5 October 2001 | access-date=1 May 2010 | archive-date=17 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217071749/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2001/oct/05/artsfeatures3 | url-status=live }}</ref> James has stated that the title is not related to drugs, and is "just a word [he] made up...I never wanted to big up any drugs, because I don't reckon they deserve it."<ref name="Lester"/>
Titles that differ from the more commonly available CD version will be noted by brackets.


==Music==
# jynweythek [jynweythek ylow] (2:14)
''Drukqs'' contains tracks dating back "seven or eight years", according to James, though most of the album was relatively new.<ref name="I"/> The LP is a double album featuring roughly two styles: rapid, meticulously-programmed tracks utilizing exaggerated [[drum 'n' bass]] breakbeats,<ref name="Reynolds2001"/> and [[classical music|classical]] piano pieces<ref name="needham2001"/> made using computer-controlled instruments such as a modified [[Yamaha Disklavier]] and several [[MIDI]]-controlled, [[solenoid]]-based drum mechanisms made by James.<ref name="SoundCloud">{{cite web|author1=aphextwin|author-link1=Aphex Twin|title=Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]|url=https://soundcloud.com/richarddjames/diskhat-all-prepared1mixed-snr2mix|website=SoundCloud|access-date=14 April 2015|date=February 2015|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118001413/https://soundcloud.com/richarddjames/diskhat-all-prepared1mixed-snr2mix|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Keymag'' described it as "switching restlessly from his most acidic [[drill 'n' bass]] yet to incredibly lavish [[prepared piano]] pieces inspired by [[John Cage]]."<ref name="The Soft Side of Aphex Twin"/> ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]'' noted that the album moves through [[techno]], drum 'n' bass, and early-90s [[rave music|rave]], while the piano interludes were compared to the work of [[Erik Satie]].<ref name="needham2001"/> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' also noted "several purely [[electroacoustic music|electro-acoustic]] excursions".<ref name="Seymour"/>
# Vordhosbn (4:42)
# Kladfvgbung Micshk (2:00)
# omgyiya-Switch 7 (4:46)
# Strotha tynhe (2:03)
# gwely Mernans (5:00)
# bbydhyonchord (2:21)
# cock/Ver10 (5:17)
# avril 14th (1:55)
# Mt Saint Michel + Saint Michels mount (8:02)
# gwarek2 (6:38)
# Orban eq trx 4 (1:27)
# aussois (0:07)
# hy a Scullyas lyf a dhagrow (2:09)
# Kesson dalef (1:18)
# 54 Cymru beats (5:59)
# btoum-roumada (1:56)
# Lornaderek (0:30)
# QKThF [Penty Harmonium] (1:20)
# meltphace 6 (6:14)
# bit 4 (0:18)
# prep gwarlek 3b (1:13)
# father (0:51)
# taking Control (7:08)
# petiatil cx htdui (2:05)
# ruglen holon (1:45)
# afx237 v.7 (4:15)
# ziggomatic 17 (8:28)
# beskhu3epnm (1:58)
# nanou2 (3:22)


James said that "A lot of [the tracks] are quite old-style sounding, I reckon. I’ve done loads of tracks which are really new in style and which don’t sound like anything else but I didn’t want to release those tracks."<ref name="I">{{cite web |last1=Hoffmann |first1=Heiko |title=Aphex Twin Interview |url=http://www.aphextwin.nu/images/interviewsarticles/afx_interview_by_heiko.pdf |access-date=16 October 2018 |archive-date=19 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119032708/http://www.aphextwin.nu/images/interviewsarticles/afx_interview_by_heiko.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> While acknowledging similarities with his past records, James said that "I haven’t done something in so much detail before."<ref name="I"/> Of the album's complex [[drum programming]], he said "it's quite similar to guitar solos, only with programming you have to use your brain. The most important thing is that it should have some emotional effect on me, rather than just, 'Oh, that's really clever.'"<ref name="Lester"/>
As can be seen above, many of the titles are in the [[language]] of [[Cornish language|Cornish]], a celtic language related to [[Welsh]] and [[Breton]] that is found in [[Cornwall]], Richard's home. This may have been done as a tribute to the distinct culture of [[Cornwall]] or [[Kernow]] as it is known in [[Cornish]].


In 2015 James released the EP ''[[Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2]]'', featuring further computer-controlled instrumental tracks, as a sequel to ''Drukqs''.<ref name="SoundCloud"/>
== Style ==


==Reception==
''drukqs''' tracks cross over a multitude of musical styles. Many songs (such as "Vordhosbn", "meltphace 6", and "cock/Ver10") sound like a much darker version of his earlier [[drill n bass]] work (''[[Richard D. James Album]]'') using [[acid techno]]-based synthesizers and [[Intelligent dance music|IDM]] snare rushes, albeit much more fast paced than his previous work (advances in computing between [[1996]] and [[2001]] allowed greater detail and complexity in his music). Another track, "gwely Mernans", sounds much like his [[minimalist]] ''[[Selected Ambient Works Volume II]]''.
{{Music ratings
| MC = 66/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/drukqs/aphex-twin |title=Reviews for Drukqs by Aphex Twin |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=26 June 2015 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118222943/https://www.metacritic.com/music/drukqs/aphex-twin |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/drukqs-mw0000591157 |title=Drukqs – Aphex Twin |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2 August 2011 |last=Bush |first=John |archive-date=24 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224074611/https://www.allmusic.com/album/drukqs-mw0000591157 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]''
| rev2score = 8/10<ref>{{cite journal |title=Aphex Twin: Drukqs |journal=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |issue=161 |date=December 2001 |page=78}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="Simpson">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/oct/19/shopping.artsfeatures1 |title=Aphex Twin: Drukqs (Warp) |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=19 October 2001 |access-date=12 February 2016 |last=Simpson |first=Dave |archive-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117112822/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/oct/19/shopping.artsfeatures1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2001/dec/16/entertainment/ca-rack16 |title=Aphex Twin 'Drukqs' Warp/Sire |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=16 December 2001 |access-date=12 February 2016 |last=Baltin |first=Steve |archive-date=16 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216183210/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/dec/16/entertainment/ca-rack16 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev5score = 9/10<ref name="needham2001">{{cite journal |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/aphex-twin/5730 |title=Aphex Twin : Drukqs |journal=[[NME]] |date=20 October 2001 |access-date=26 June 2015 |last=Needham |first=Alex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085600/http://www.nme.com/reviews/aphex-twin/5730 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev6score = 5.5/10<ref name="Seymour">{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/225-drukqs/ |title=Aphex Twin: Drukqs |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=25 October 2001 |access-date=2 August 2011 |last=Seymour |first=Malcolm III |archive-date=18 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318041833/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/225-drukqs/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=Aphex Twin: Drukqs |journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=183 |date=November 2001 |last=Lynskey |first=Dorian}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8score = {{rating|1|5}}<ref name="blashill2001">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/recordings/review.asp?aid=2043238 |title=Aphex Twin: Drukgs |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=881 |date=8 November 2001 |access-date=12 February 2016 |last=Blashill |first=Pat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011111105022/http://www.rollingstone.com/recordings/review.asp?aid=2043238 |archive-date=11 November 2001}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="rsag2004">{{cite book |chapter=Aphex Twin |last=Frere-Jones |first=Sasha |author-link=Sasha Frere-Jones |title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide|The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]] |edition=4th |year=2004 |editor1-last=Brackett |editor1-first=Nathan |editor2-last=Hoard |editor2-first=Christian |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |isbn=0-7432-0169-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/21 21–23] }}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev10score = 5/10<ref name="Reynolds2001">{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m-qexhnZaukC&pg=PA130 |title=Aphex Twin: Drukqs |journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |volume=17 |issue=11 |issn=0886-3032 |date=November 2001 |access-date=12 February 2016 |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |author-link=Simon Reynolds |pages=130–32}}</ref>
}}

''Drukqs'' is among James's "most divisive" releases, with Oli Warwick of ''[[Crack Magazine]]'' noting that it provoked "widespread indignation amongst [[music critic]]s, whose primary criticism seemed to be that James had delivered something reminiscent of previous releases, rather than some bold new mode of electronic expression."<ref name="crack">{{cite web |last1=Warwick |first1=Oli |title=In celebration of Drukqs, Aphex Twin's most divisive and misunderstood statement |url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/in-celebration-of-drukqs-aphex-twins-most-divisive-and-misunderstood-statement/ |website=[[Crack Magazine]] |access-date=1 November 2021 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101014837/https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/in-celebration-of-drukqs-aphex-twins-most-divisive-and-misunderstood-statement/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalised]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 66, based on 21 reviews.<ref name="metacritic"/>

On its 2001 release, Alex Needham of ''[[NME]]'' called it "beautiful" and "bulging with goodies".<ref name="needham2001" /> For ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' however, [[Simon Reynolds]] criticised the album as "unimpressive" and "trapped by the potential for infinitesimal tweakage," stating that it "sounds merely like a slight extension of the Aphex sound circa 1996's ''[[Richard D. James Album]]'' and 1997's ''[[Come to Daddy (EP)|Come to Daddy]]''."<ref name="Reynolds2001" /> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' described the album's "[[drill 'n' bass|drill'n'bass]]" tracks as "throwbacks to the past rather than prospects on the future; and for all of their compositional strength, there's an element of the Aphex Twin mystique missing."<ref name="Seymour"/> Dave Simpson of ''[[The Guardian]]'' stated that "much of ''Drukqs'' sounds like weaker echoes of things Aphex Twin has done before, which no manner of hyperactive drum machines or daft titles can disguise."<ref name="Simpson"/> Pat Blashill of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called ''Drukqs'' Aphex's "most irrelevant album to date", and added "rumor has it that James merely loaded this record with outtakes that have been eating up space on his hard drive for years, then released the album as a deal-breaker with his label, [[Warp Records|Warp]]."<ref name="blashill2001" /> However, in ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'' (2004), critic [[Sasha Frere-Jones]] stated that "weirdly dismissed by many, ''Drukqs'' is often spectacular".<ref name="rsag2004" />

The piano composition "[[Avril 14th]]" became one of James's most popular tracks, later being used in a ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' skit, and the [[Kanye West]] song "[[Blame Game (song)|Blame Game]]."<ref name=":0"/> As of April 2017 the track was James's most streamed track on [[Spotify]], with approximately 124 million streams.<!-- DO NOT UPDATE THIS FIGURE without a new, reliable source - not just checking Spotify --> By this metric, it is his best-known composition.<ref name=":0"/> "[[Avril 14th]]" has also been used in films such as ''[[Marie Antoinette (2006 film)|Marie Antoinette]]'' (2006).

==Track listing==

===CD===
All songs composed by Richard D. James.
{{Track listing
| headline = Disc one
| title1 = Jynweythek
| length1 = 2:23
| title2 = Vordhosbn
| length2 = 4:51
| title3 = Kladfvgbung Micshk
| length3 = 2:06
| title4 = Omgyjya-Switch7
| length4 = 4:52
| title5 = Strotha Tynhe
| length5 = 2:12
| title6 = Gwely Mernans
| length6 = 5:08
| title7 = Bbydhyonchord
| length7 = 2:33
| title8 = Cock/Ver10
| length8 = 5:18
| title9 = [[Avril 14th]]
| length9 = 2:05
| title10 = Mt Saint Michel + Saint Michaels Mount
| length10 = 8:10
| title11 = Gwarek2
| length11 = 6:46
| title12 = Orban Eq Trx 4
| length12 = 1:35
| title13 = Aussois
| length13 = 0:13
| title14 = Hy a Scullyas Lyf Adhagrow
| length14 = 2:14
| title15 = Kesson Dalef
| length15 = 1:21
| total_length = 51:47
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Disc two
| title1 = 54 Cymru Beats
| length1 = 6:06
| title2 = Btoum-Roumada
| length2 = 1:58
| title3 = Lornaderek
| length3 = 0:31
| title4 = QKThr
| note4 = also known as "Penty Harmonium"
| length4 = 1:27
| title5 = Meltphace 6
| length5 = 6:24
| title6 = Bit 4
| length6 = 0:25
| title7 = Prep Gwarlek 3b
| length7 = 1:19
| title8 = Father
| length8 = 0:57
| title9 = Taking Control
| length9 = 7:14
| title10 = Petiatil Cx Htdui
| length10 = 2:11
| title11 = Ruglen Holon
| length11 = 1:49
| title12 = Afx237 v.7
| length12 = 4:23
| title13 = Ziggomatic 17
| length13 = 8:35
| title14 = Beskhu3epnm
| length14 = 2:10
| title15 = Nanou2
| length15 = 3:25
| total_length = 48:54
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = aphextwin.warp.net exclusive tracks (2018)
| title31 = dRuQks Prepared uN 1
| length31 = 3:01
| title32 = avril 14th half speed alternative version [re-recorded 2009 Nagra]
| length32 = 5:07
| title33 = avril 14th reversed music not audio [re-recorded 2009 Nagra]
| length33 = 2:12
| title34 = Mangle 11
| length34 = 5:55
}}

===Vinyl===
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| title1 = Jynweythek Ylow
| length1 = 2:14
| title2 = Vordhosbn
| length2 = 4:42
| title3 = Kladfvgbung Micshk
| length3 = 2:00
| title4 = Strotha Tynhe
| length4 = 2:03
| total_length = 10:59
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| title1 = Omgyjya Switch7
| length1 = 4:46
| title2 = Gwely Mernans
| length2 = 5:00
| total_length = 9:46
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side three
| title1 = Cock/Ver10
| length1 = 5:17
| title2 = Bbydhyonchord
| length2 = 2:21
| title3 = Orban Eq Trx 4
| length3 = 1:27
| total_length = 9:05
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side four
| title1 = Mt Saint Michel Mix + St Michaels Mount
| length1 = 8:02
| title2 = Beskhu3epnm
| length2 = 1:58
| total_length = 10:00
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side five
| title1 = Aussois
| length1 = 0:07
| title2 = Hy a Scullyas Lyf A Dhagrow
| length2 = 2:09
| title3 = Kesson Daslef
| length3 = 1:18
| title4 = Avril 14th
| length4 = 1:55
| title5 = Gwarek2
| length5 = 6:38
| total_length = 12:07
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side six
| title1 = 54 Cymru Beats
| length1 = 6:00
| title2 = Btoum-Roumada
| length2 = 1:56
| title3 = Lornaderek
| length3 = 0:30
| title4 = Penty Harmonium
| length4 = 1:20
| title5 = Prep Gwarlek 3b
| length5 = 1:13
| title6 = Father
| length6 = 0:51
| title7 = Petiatil Cx Htdui
| length7 = 2:05
| total_length = 13:55
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side seven
| title1 = Meltphace 6
| length1 = 6:14
| title2 = Bit4
| length2 = 0:18
| title3 = Taking Control
| length3 = 7:08
| title4 = Ruglen Holon
| length4 = 1:45
| total_length = 15:25
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side eight
| title1 = Afx237 v7
| length1 = 4:15
| title2 = Ziggomatic v17
| length2 = 8:28
| title3 = Nanou2
| length3 = 3:22
| total_length = 16:05
}}

===Notes===
* An alternate version of Avril 14th (known as "avril altdelay") was uploaded to James' [[SoundCloud]] in 2014.
* Another rework of Avril 14th was also uploaded to James' [[SoundCloud]] account under the name "avril 14th, notes played backwards, not the audio" in 2015.
* A third version of Avril 14th titled "avril 14th doubletempo,half speed" was added as Track 34 on 3 December 2018, but it was removed after some hours.
* Mangle 11 was previously released on the [[Rephlexions! An Album of Braindance!]] compilation as "Mangle 11 (Circuit Bent V.I.P. Mix)" by AFX.

==Personnel==
* [[Aphex Twin]]&nbsp;– piano, synthesizers, keyboards, harmonium, percussion, programming, treatments, sampler, photographs

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for ''Drukqs''
! scope="col"| Chart (2001)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue608.PDF|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 22 October 2001|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]. [[Australian Web Archive]]|issue=608|date=22 October 2001|access-date=7 July 2016|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue608.PDF|archive-date=20 February 2002|journal=ARIA Report}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| 87
|-
{{album chart|France|43|artist=Aphex Twin|album=Drukqs|rowheader=true|access-date=7 July 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Ireland|14|year=2001|week=43|rowheader=true|access-date=7 July 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|36|artist=Aphex Twin|album=Drukqs|rowheader=true|access-date=7 July 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|47|artist=Aphex Twin|album=Drukqs|rowheader=true|access-date=7 July 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|22|date=20011028|rowheader=true|access-date=4 December 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|154|artist=Aphex Twin|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|6|artist=Aphex Twin|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2016}}
|}


==Certifications==
The highlight of this album, however, is that at least 13 of the 30 tracks take advantage of [[piano]], both [[prepared piano|prepared]] (in the percussive style of [[John Cage]]), and unprepared. These tracks have an acoustic beauty, not commonly associated with an [[electronica]] artist such as James.
{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Drukqs''}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Aphex Twin|title=Drukqs|award=Silver|certyear=2021|relyear=2001|id=17019-2691-2|access-date=13 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}


==References==
Other facinating highlights include numerous experimental tracks, which feature short samples ([[synthisizer]] experiments, voices, etc) under 20 seconds in length. "54 Cymru beats" features sounds sampled from "[Equation]", a [[noise music]] experiment from Richard's afformentioned single ''[[Windowlicker]]''. The track "taking Control" is made up almost entirely of sampled [[drum machines]].
{{reflist}}


==External links==
''drukqs'' is available in three formats for purchase. The first, and most common, is the CD release. The second is the regular 180 gram [[vinyl]] release. Thirdly, a 180 gram [[limited edition]] [[audiophile]] version is available, pressed on heavy virgin (unrecycled) vinyl by [[Record Technology Incorporated|RTI]][http://www.recordtech.com/], and presented in a 12" &times; 17" box, limited to 1,000 hand numbered copies.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041229084637/http://www.drukqs.net/ Drukqs.net]&nbsp;– The official ''Drukqs'' Web site: free MP3s and information ([[Flash Player]]-enabled browser required for access).
* {{Metacritic album}}
* [http://warp.net/records/releases/aphex-twin/drukqs ''Drukqs'' at the Warp Records discography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615093557/http://warp.net/records/releases/aphex-twin/drukqs |date=15 June 2009 }}
* [http://www.discogs.com/release/13965 ''Drukqs'' on Discogs]


{{Aphex Twin}}
== Links ==


{{Authority control}}
[http://www.drukqs.net Official drukqs website] with free MP3's and information.


[[Category:Aphex Twin albums]]
[[Category:Aphex Twin albums]]
[[Category:Warp (record label) albums]]
[[Category:Sire Records albums]]
[[Category:2001 albums]]
[[Category:2001 albums]]
[[Category:Double albums]]
[[Category:Works for prepared piano]]

Latest revision as of 10:23, 30 April 2024

drukQs
Studio album by
Released22 October 2001 (2001-10-22)
Genre
Length100:37
LabelWarp
ProducerAphex Twin
Richard D. James chronology
2 Remixes by AFX
(2001)
drukQs
(2001)
26 Mixes for Cash
(2003)
Aphex Twin album chronology
Richard D. James Album
(1996)
Drukqs
(2001)
26 Mixes for Cash
(2003)

Drukqs (stylised as drukQs) is the fifth studio album by Aphex Twin, the alias of British electronic musician Richard D. James, released in 2001 on Warp. It is a double album alternating primarily between tracks of meticulously programmed drum and bass-inspired beats and computer-controlled classical piano pieces.[3][7] It features the piano composition "Avril 14th," one of James's best-known recordings.[8]

Drukqs was released to get around a potential leak of James's music after accidentally leaving an MP3 player behind on a plane while traveling to Scotland with Rephlex co-founder Grant Wilson-Claridge. It was intended to be his final release with Warp, per his contract with the label at the time.

Drukqs was released to a mixed reception from music critics, with many of them dismissing it as inferior to his earlier works.[9] The album peaked at number 22 on the UK Albums Chart.[10] James would not release another album under the alias Aphex Twin until Syro (2014).

Background[edit]

James decided to release Drukqs primarily to circumvent a potential leak after he accidentally left behind an MP3 player containing 180 of his unreleased tracks on a plane while traveling to Scotland with Rephlex co-founder Grant Wilson-Claridge: "I thought, 'They're gonna fucking come on the internet sooner or later so I may as well get an album out of it first.'"[7] He intended it to be his final release as part of his contractual obligation to Warp.[11] It was released as a double album.[12] About the album's two-disc length, James said "the way I listen to music now is that I buy a CD, put it on the computer and just take the tracks I want anyway. I'd hope that people would do the same with this CD."[11]

Many track names are written in Cornish—for example, "Jynweythek" ("Machine")—or are coded titles.[13] James has stated that the title is not related to drugs, and is "just a word [he] made up...I never wanted to big up any drugs, because I don't reckon they deserve it."[13]

Music[edit]

Drukqs contains tracks dating back "seven or eight years", according to James, though most of the album was relatively new.[11] The LP is a double album featuring roughly two styles: rapid, meticulously-programmed tracks utilizing exaggerated drum 'n' bass breakbeats,[5] and classical piano pieces[3] made using computer-controlled instruments such as a modified Yamaha Disklavier and several MIDI-controlled, solenoid-based drum mechanisms made by James.[14] Keymag described it as "switching restlessly from his most acidic drill 'n' bass yet to incredibly lavish prepared piano pieces inspired by John Cage."[1] NME noted that the album moves through techno, drum 'n' bass, and early-90s rave, while the piano interludes were compared to the work of Erik Satie.[3] Pitchfork also noted "several purely electro-acoustic excursions".[15]

James said that "A lot of [the tracks] are quite old-style sounding, I reckon. I’ve done loads of tracks which are really new in style and which don’t sound like anything else but I didn’t want to release those tracks."[11] While acknowledging similarities with his past records, James said that "I haven’t done something in so much detail before."[11] Of the album's complex drum programming, he said "it's quite similar to guitar solos, only with programming you have to use your brain. The most important thing is that it should have some emotional effect on me, rather than just, 'Oh, that's really clever.'"[13]

In 2015 James released the EP Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2, featuring further computer-controlled instrumental tracks, as a sequel to Drukqs.[14]

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic66/100[16]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
Alternative Press8/10[18]
The Guardian[19]
Los Angeles Times[20]
NME9/10[3]
Pitchfork5.5/10[15]
Q[21]
Rolling Stone[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[9]
Spin5/10[5]

Drukqs is among James's "most divisive" releases, with Oli Warwick of Crack Magazine noting that it provoked "widespread indignation amongst music critics, whose primary criticism seemed to be that James had delivered something reminiscent of previous releases, rather than some bold new mode of electronic expression."[22] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 66, based on 21 reviews.[16]

On its 2001 release, Alex Needham of NME called it "beautiful" and "bulging with goodies".[3] For Spin however, Simon Reynolds criticised the album as "unimpressive" and "trapped by the potential for infinitesimal tweakage," stating that it "sounds merely like a slight extension of the Aphex sound circa 1996's Richard D. James Album and 1997's Come to Daddy."[5] Pitchfork described the album's "drill'n'bass" tracks as "throwbacks to the past rather than prospects on the future; and for all of their compositional strength, there's an element of the Aphex Twin mystique missing."[15] Dave Simpson of The Guardian stated that "much of Drukqs sounds like weaker echoes of things Aphex Twin has done before, which no manner of hyperactive drum machines or daft titles can disguise."[19] Pat Blashill of Rolling Stone called Drukqs Aphex's "most irrelevant album to date", and added "rumor has it that James merely loaded this record with outtakes that have been eating up space on his hard drive for years, then released the album as a deal-breaker with his label, Warp."[4] However, in The Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004), critic Sasha Frere-Jones stated that "weirdly dismissed by many, Drukqs is often spectacular".[9]

The piano composition "Avril 14th" became one of James's most popular tracks, later being used in a Saturday Night Live skit, and the Kanye West song "Blame Game."[8] As of April 2017 the track was James's most streamed track on Spotify, with approximately 124 million streams. By this metric, it is his best-known composition.[8] "Avril 14th" has also been used in films such as Marie Antoinette (2006).

Track listing[edit]

CD[edit]

All songs composed by Richard D. James.

Disc one
No.TitleLength
1."Jynweythek"2:23
2."Vordhosbn"4:51
3."Kladfvgbung Micshk"2:06
4."Omgyjya-Switch7"4:52
5."Strotha Tynhe"2:12
6."Gwely Mernans"5:08
7."Bbydhyonchord"2:33
8."Cock/Ver10"5:18
9."Avril 14th"2:05
10."Mt Saint Michel + Saint Michaels Mount"8:10
11."Gwarek2"6:46
12."Orban Eq Trx 4"1:35
13."Aussois"0:13
14."Hy a Scullyas Lyf Adhagrow"2:14
15."Kesson Dalef"1:21
Total length:51:47
Disc two
No.TitleLength
1."54 Cymru Beats"6:06
2."Btoum-Roumada"1:58
3."Lornaderek"0:31
4."QKThr" (also known as "Penty Harmonium")1:27
5."Meltphace 6"6:24
6."Bit 4"0:25
7."Prep Gwarlek 3b"1:19
8."Father"0:57
9."Taking Control"7:14
10."Petiatil Cx Htdui"2:11
11."Ruglen Holon"1:49
12."Afx237 v.7"4:23
13."Ziggomatic 17"8:35
14."Beskhu3epnm"2:10
15."Nanou2"3:25
Total length:48:54
aphextwin.warp.net exclusive tracks (2018)
No.TitleLength
31."dRuQks Prepared uN 1"3:01
32."avril 14th half speed alternative version [re-recorded 2009 Nagra]"5:07
33."avril 14th reversed music not audio [re-recorded 2009 Nagra]"2:12
34."Mangle 11"5:55

Vinyl[edit]

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Jynweythek Ylow"2:14
2."Vordhosbn"4:42
3."Kladfvgbung Micshk"2:00
4."Strotha Tynhe"2:03
Total length:10:59
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Omgyjya Switch7"4:46
2."Gwely Mernans"5:00
Total length:9:46
Side three
No.TitleLength
1."Cock/Ver10"5:17
2."Bbydhyonchord"2:21
3."Orban Eq Trx 4"1:27
Total length:9:05
Side four
No.TitleLength
1."Mt Saint Michel Mix + St Michaels Mount"8:02
2."Beskhu3epnm"1:58
Total length:10:00
Side five
No.TitleLength
1."Aussois"0:07
2."Hy a Scullyas Lyf A Dhagrow"2:09
3."Kesson Daslef"1:18
4."Avril 14th"1:55
5."Gwarek2"6:38
Total length:12:07
Side six
No.TitleLength
1."54 Cymru Beats"6:00
2."Btoum-Roumada"1:56
3."Lornaderek"0:30
4."Penty Harmonium"1:20
5."Prep Gwarlek 3b"1:13
6."Father"0:51
7."Petiatil Cx Htdui"2:05
Total length:13:55
Side seven
No.TitleLength
1."Meltphace 6"6:14
2."Bit4"0:18
3."Taking Control"7:08
4."Ruglen Holon"1:45
Total length:15:25
Side eight
No.TitleLength
1."Afx237 v7"4:15
2."Ziggomatic v17"8:28
3."Nanou2"3:22
Total length:16:05

Notes[edit]

  • An alternate version of Avril 14th (known as "avril altdelay") was uploaded to James' SoundCloud in 2014.
  • Another rework of Avril 14th was also uploaded to James' SoundCloud account under the name "avril 14th, notes played backwards, not the audio" in 2015.
  • A third version of Avril 14th titled "avril 14th doubletempo,half speed" was added as Track 34 on 3 December 2018, but it was removed after some hours.
  • Mangle 11 was previously released on the Rephlexions! An Album of Braindance! compilation as "Mangle 11 (Circuit Bent V.I.P. Mix)" by AFX.

Personnel[edit]

  • Aphex Twin – piano, synthesizers, keyboards, harmonium, percussion, programming, treatments, sampler, photographs

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for Drukqs
Chart (2001) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[23] 87
French Albums (SNEP)[24] 43
Irish Albums (IRMA)[25] 14
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[26] 36
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 47
UK Albums (OCC)[28] 22
US Billboard 200[29] 154
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[30] 6

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for Drukqs
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Silver 60,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b MCGillevray, Becky. "The Soft Side of Aphex Twin". KEYMAG. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Seymour III, Malcolm. "Aphex Twin – Drukqs". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Needham, Alex (20 October 2001). "Aphex Twin : Drukqs". NME. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Blashill, Pat (8 November 2001). "Aphex Twin: Drukgs". Rolling Stone. No. 881. Archived from the original on 11 November 2001. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Reynolds, Simon (November 2001). "Aphex Twin: Drukqs". Spin. 17 (11): 130–32. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  6. ^ Ducker, Eric. "The Long Tail of Aphex Twin's 'Avril 14th'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  7. ^ a b O'Connell, John (2001). "Interview". The Face. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  8. ^ a b c "How Aphex Twin's piano lullaby 'Avril 14th' became a runaway pop culture hit". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 14 April 2017. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  9. ^ a b c Frere-Jones, Sasha (2004). "Aphex Twin". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 21–23. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  10. ^ Pakinkis, Tom (29 September 2014). "Official Charts Analysis: alt-J's This Is All Yours secures No 1 album slot on 30,947 sales". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 29 September 2014. (subscription required)
  11. ^ a b c d e Hoffmann, Heiko. "Aphex Twin Interview" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 November 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  12. ^ Horner, Al (23 October 2011). "A decade of Drukqs: Aphex Twin's opus, ten years on". DrownedInSound. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Lester, Paul (5 October 2001). "Tank boy". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  14. ^ a b aphextwin (February 2015). "Diskhat ALL Prepared1mixed [snr2mix]". SoundCloud. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  15. ^ a b c Seymour, Malcolm III (25 October 2001). "Aphex Twin: Drukqs". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Reviews for Drukqs by Aphex Twin". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  17. ^ Bush, John. "Drukqs – Aphex Twin". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  18. ^ "Aphex Twin: Drukqs". Alternative Press (161): 78. December 2001.
  19. ^ a b Simpson, Dave (19 October 2001). "Aphex Twin: Drukqs (Warp)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  20. ^ Baltin, Steve (16 December 2001). "Aphex Twin 'Drukqs' Warp/Sire". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  21. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (November 2001). "Aphex Twin: Drukqs". Q (183).
  22. ^ Warwick, Oli. "In celebration of Drukqs, Aphex Twin's most divisive and misunderstood statement". Crack Magazine. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  23. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 22 October 2001" (PDF). ARIA Report (608). Australian Recording Industry Association. Australian Web Archive. 22 October 2001. Archived from the original on 20 February 2002. Retrieved 7 July 2016.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  24. ^ "Lescharts.com – Aphex Twin – Drukqs". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  25. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 43, 2001". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  26. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Aphex Twin – Drukqs". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  27. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Aphex Twin – Drukqs". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  28. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  29. ^ "Aphex Twin Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  30. ^ "Aphex Twin Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  31. ^ "British album certifications – Aphex Twin – Drukqs". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 February 2021.

External links[edit]