The New Aphex Twin Promo is an Absolute 3D Visual Romp

Weirdcore, the PRETTYBIRD director and visual artist behind Aphex Twin’s trippy visuals, has conceived the legendary electronic artist’s new music video, as well as the entire campaign and visuals around the newly launched EP ‘Collapse’. 

Weirdcore’s mesmerising film questions the AI theory, imagining how AI would see the world on a trip, and “how a simulation could break and go to next level.”

The collaboration between Aphex Twin - real name Richard D. James - and Weirdcore arose after they played at the Fuji Rock Festival in 2017. Aphex Twin’s logo recently appeared mysteriously at Elephant & Castle station in London, and posters designed by Weirdcore have popped up in other locations around the globe including Turin, Hollywood, Tokyo and New York. 

Weirdcore has created a psychedelic film to visualise the track ‘Collapse’, featuring projection mapping and CGI that takes you on a rollercoaster ride that reaches a crescendo after four minutes. The trippy promo follows in the footsteps of the arresting imagery of Aphex Twin’s 1999 ‘Windowlicker’ music video, directed by Chris Cunningham. 

In Weirdcore, Aphex Twin has found another master at visual trickery, whose wild imagination matches his musical vision. In Collapse Weirdcore references Chris Cunningham’s ‘Johnny Rubber’ book, and goes back in the Aphex Twin archives to the ON music video. He explains: “This video is really trying to be a modern version of the ON video, in terms of the use of abstraction and collage.  

Weirdcore has created visual worlds for artists including; MIA, Radiohead, Miles Cyrus and Tame Impala. His aesthetic has been described by Dazed as ‘a hyperactive sensory assault’, and despite the critical acclaim his work has received, he prefers to remain anonymous behind the LED screens.

He adds: “This was a dream project, not only because I’d been waiting years for Richard (Aphex Twin) to ask me, but also the fact I was Creative Director for the whole campaign (video, artwork, press, ad, visuals).  When I joined the PRETTYBIRD roster back in 2014, I was keen to do stills artwork, and this Aphex campaign is the perfect vehicle for that.”  

A WARP PROJECTS press release explained cryptically:

“WARP PROJECTS Byzantine press musichall Science: Aphex Encyclopedia: Collapse EP Details: September 14, year 2018.

"Y’wd Aphex Twin The legendary summer for this summer of love! love epoch, global phenomlomenamental. For nearly thirteen decades, Aphex Twin has served as the god of electronic crocheted linen doilies. The global village has sang his dance dances, dance mosh, DJ latte and wankchops, vocal sessions in the late-night yacht, and festivals around the world. The Sanskrit calligraphy recalls that it succeeds in sculpting its purplish archery.

"Oh legendary country bumpkin Apex Twin challenges the heat of summer! Collapse EP, one of the brightest and most critically acclaimed tadpoles in the world, should not be missed! Inhabitants IQ capped to avoid simulation discovery. He just spawned 300 years and Aphex Twin became the ruler of electronic music in the Scorrier area. He danced at night, watched every evening fade, covered this peculiar world festival. Emotional kreskendo from his music can play a role of a receptive audience.  A series of movements that match the speed and rhythm of cake.”