On (EP)

On
EP by Aphex Twin
Released	15 November 1993
Recorded	1993
Length	23:54
Label	Warp
Producer	Aphex Twin
Richard D. James chronology
Bradley's Robot (1993) On (1993) Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

On is an extended play record by the electronic music producer Aphex Twin released on 15 November 1993 by Warp. On Remixes, featuring remixes by James, Reload and μ-Ziq, was released on the same day.

The record entered the Dance Singles Chart at number 3 on 27 November.^[2] It also peaked at number 32 on the main Singles Chart.^[3]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Richard D. James

No.	Title	Length
1.	"On"	7:03
2.	"73-Yips"	4:14
3.	"D-Scape"	6:54
4.	"Xepha"	5:42
Total length:		23:54

The Sire Records (US) version of On contains only "On", "73-Yips", and "Xepha" with early fade-outs, followed by the Reload Mix of "On", and it is housed in an Ecopak case instead of the standard slimline jewel case in which the Warp (UK) release was packaged.

On Remixes

No.	Title	Length
1.	"On" (D-Scape Mix)	10:40
2.	"On" (Reload Mix)	7:06
3.	"On" (μ-Ziq Mix)	8:43
4.	"On" (28 Mix)	6:47
Total length:		33:16

The "D-Scape Mix", in actuality a remix of "D-Scape" from On, features mostly harsh sucking noises.

Production

In the 2015 Soundcloud dump, James states that he produced some of the sounds in "Xepha" by modifying a DAT player to play back tapes that he purposefully damaged. He claims that he created distorted sounds by stretching tapes, spraying them with hair spray, as well as changing the playback speed of the motor.^[4]

Music video

The music video for the title track was directed by Jarvis Cocker and Martin Wallace, and features a stop-motion sequence filmed on a beach involving numerous props (including an old fashioned diving suit and a cardboard cutout of James), and images of the tide. Drips of water are synchronized with the piano. The film was shot on location in Hilbre Island, West Kirby, Wirral, UK. James was hands-off from the video's making, apart from insisting that it did not feature any computer graphics. He was however satisfied with the end result, stating that it "does the job".^[5] It is available on the Come to Viddy (VHS, 1997) and WarpVision: The Videos 1989–2004 (DVD, 2004) compilations.

References

1. link
2. Redmond, Steve, ed. (27 November 1993). "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. London: Spotlight Publications. p. 28.
3. "On: The Aphex Twin". Official Charts. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
4. "30 years of On EP". Lanner Chronicle. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024. I once hacked a DAT player to play back DAT tapes that i purposefully ruined, strtching the tape, spraying hair spray on the tape etc, fucked the speed of the motor up etc, sounded really good, will dig out., used plenty of sounds from it though like in 'xepha', that has some stuff from that. then from DAT to computer about 10 years ago.
5. "Aphex Twin - MTV News feature, 1993". YouTube.

External links

• On at the Warp Records website