Autechre is an English electronic music duo known for their innovative and experimental approach to sound and rhythm. Their music has pushed the boundaries of electronic music, incorporating elements of glitch, IDM, ambient, and more to create a unique and immersive listening experience. With a career spanning over 30 years, Autechre has released numerous albums and EPs, each one showcasing their mastery of complex rhythms, intricate soundscapes, and challenging sonic textures. In this article, we will be counting down the top 10 best Autechre songs of all time, exploring their most groundbreaking tracks and charting their evolution as artists. From the glitchy rhythms of “Cfern” to the ethereal soundscapes of “see on see,” these tracks represent the very best of Autechre’s output, and offer a window into the creative genius of one of electronic music’s most influential acts. So sit back, turn up the volume, and join us as we dive into the top 10 best Autechre songs of all time.
1. Nine (from Amber)
“Nine” is a track from the album “Amber” by Autechre, an English electronic music duo known for their experimental approach to sound and rhythm. The track begins with a flurry of stuttering beats and glitchy textures, gradually building in intensity as layers of intricate rhythms and melodic fragments are added to the mix. The result is a complex and immersive sonic landscape that blends elements of ambient, IDM, and glitch music into a hypnotic and mesmerizing whole.
As the track progresses, the rhythms become more frenzied and complex, shifting and morphing in unexpected ways. At times the beats seem to be on the verge of collapse, but they always manage to find their way back into a cohesive pattern. Throughout it all, there is a sense of tension and unease that pervades the track, lending it a sense of urgency and intensity.
Overall, “Nine” is a prime example of Autechre’s ability to create music that is at once challenging and deeply rewarding. It is a track that demands close attention and repeated listens, revealing new layers of complexity and nuance with each pass.
2. Bike (from Incunabula)
“Bike” is a track from Autechre’s debut album “Incunabula,” which was released in 1993. The track opens with a series of hypnotic, looped rhythms that build in intensity as additional layers of glitchy textures and melodic fragments are added. The overall effect is one of constant motion and evolution, as the track slowly transforms over its nearly six-minute runtime.
One of the most striking elements of “Bike” is its use of repetition and variation. The central rhythms and melodic motifs are repeated and mutated throughout the track, creating a sense of continuity and coherence even as the overall structure shifts and changes. This gives the track a sense of momentum and direction that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.
Despite its relatively straightforward structure, “Bike” is a rich and nuanced piece of music that rewards close listening. Its intricate rhythms and subtle sonic details reveal themselves over time, creating a deep and immersive listening experience that is quintessentially Autechre.
3. Cichli (Chiastic Slide)
“Cichli” is a track from Autechre’s 1997 album “Chiastic Slide”. The track begins with a series of sparse, glitchy beats that slowly build in complexity and intensity as layers of atmospheric textures and melodic fragments are added. The rhythms are intricate and constantly shifting, creating a sense of tension and unease that permeates the track.
As the track progresses, the beats become more frenzied and disjointed, with the various elements seemingly battling for dominance. The result is a disorienting and unsettling sonic landscape that challenges the listener to keep up with its ever-shifting rhythms and textures.
Overall, “Cichli” is a masterclass in Autechre’s ability to create complex and challenging music that rewards careful listening and attention to detail.
4. Cfern (Confield)
“Cfern” is a track from Autechre’s 2001 album “Confield”. The track begins with a series of stuttering, glitchy beats that gradually build in intensity and complexity. The rhythms are intricate and constantly evolving, with unexpected shifts and variations keeping the listener on their toes.
As the track progresses, layers of atmospheric textures and fragmented melodies are added to the mix, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape that is simultaneously chaotic and controlled. The overall effect is one of constant motion and evolution, with each new element building on the ones that came before.
Despite its experimental approach, “Cfern” remains eminently listenable and engaging, with a strong sense of forward momentum and direction that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.
5. Altibzz (Quarstice)
“Altibzz” is a track from Autechre’s 2001 EP “Quaristice”. The track opens with a series of shimmering, metallic textures that gradually give way to a series of glitchy, stuttering beats. The rhythms are intricate and constantly shifting, with unexpected variations and syncopations keeping the listener on their toes.
As the track progresses, layers of atmospheric textures and fragmented melodies are added to the mix, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape that is at once chaotic and controlled. Despite its complexity, the track maintains a strong sense of momentum and direction, with each new element building on the ones that came before.
Overall, “Altibzz” is a prime example of Autechre’s ability to create music that is both challenging and rewarding. Its intricate rhythms and rich sonic textures demand careful attention from the listener, but the result is a deeply immersive and rewarding listening experience.
6. known(1) (Oversteps)
“known(1)” is a track from Autechre’s 2010 album “Oversteps”. The track opens with a series of shimmering, atmospheric textures that gradually give way to a series of stuttering, glitchy beats. The rhythms are intricate and constantly shifting, with unexpected variations and syncopations keeping the listener on their toes.
As the track progresses, layers of fragmented melodies and sonic textures are added to the mix, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape that is at once chaotic and controlled. Despite its complexity, the track maintains a strong sense of forward momentum and direction, with each new element building on the ones that came before.
Overall, “known(1)” is a prime example of Autechre’s ability to create music that is both challenging and rewarding. Its intricate rhythms and rich sonic textures demand careful attention from the listener, but the result is a deeply immersive and rewarding listening experience.
7. see on see (Oversteps)
“see on see” is a track from Autechre’s 2010 album “Oversteps”. The track begins with a series of sparse, glitchy beats that gradually build in complexity and intensity as layers of atmospheric textures and melodic fragments are added to the mix. The rhythms are intricate and constantly shifting, with unexpected variations and syncopations keeping the listener on their toes.
As the track progresses, the various elements of the mix begin to blur together, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape that is at once complex and ethereal. Despite its experimental approach, “see on see” remains eminently listenable and engaging, with a strong sense of forward momentum and direction that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.
Overall, “see on see” is a masterclass in Autechre’s ability to create intricate, otherworldly soundscapes that transport the listener to another realm.
8. y7 (Move of Ten)
“y7” is a track from Autechre’s 2010 EP “Move of Ten”. The track opens with a series of stuttering, glitchy beats that gradually build in complexity and intensity as layers of atmospheric textures and fragmented melodies are added to the mix.
The rhythms are intricate and constantly shifting, with unexpected variations and syncopations keeping the listener on their toes. Despite its experimental approach, “y7” maintains a strong sense of forward momentum and direction, with each new element building on the ones that came before.
As the track progresses, the various elements of the mix begin to coalesce into a cohesive whole, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape that is at once complex and controlled. Overall, “y7” is a masterclass in Autechre’s ability to create intricate, challenging music that demands careful attention from the listener, but ultimately rewards with a deeply immersive and rewarding listening experience.
9. irlite (get 0) (Exai)
“irlite (get 0)” is a track from Autechre’s 2013 album “Exai”. The track opens with a series of jittery, glitchy beats that gradually build in intensity and complexity as layers of atmospheric textures and fragmented melodies are added to the mix.
The rhythms are intricate and constantly shifting, with unexpected variations and syncopations creating a sense of tension and unease that pervades the track. Despite its experimental approach, “irlite (get 0)” maintains a strong sense of forward momentum and direction, with each new element building on the ones that came before.
As the track progresses, the various elements of the mix begin to coalesce into a cohesive whole, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape that is both challenging and rewarding. Overall, “irlite (get 0)” is a masterclass in Autechre’s ability to create complex, engaging music that demands careful attention from the listener.
10. T ess xi (Exai)
“T ess xi” is a track from Autechre’s 2013 album “Exai”. The track opens with a series of sparse, glitchy beats that gradually build in complexity and intensity as layers of atmospheric textures and melodic fragments are added to the mix.
The rhythms are intricate and constantly shifting, with unexpected variations and syncopations creating a sense of tension and forward momentum that propels the track forward. As the track progresses, the various elements of the mix begin to coalesce into a cohesive whole, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape that is at once chaotic and controlled.
Overall, “T ess xi” is a masterclass in Autechre’s ability to create intricate, challenging music that rewards careful listening and attention to detail. Its complex rhythms and rich sonic textures demand close attention from the listener, but the result is a deeply immersive and rewarding listening experience that is quintessentially Autechre.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
