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Listening to Exai, from start to finish, has kept my jaw on the floor. This is, without question, Autechre's magnum opus. While still very much a "traditional" Autechre release, there is more than enough here to raise the eyebrows of both devoted fans and casual listeners. After listening to this album, one feels that Autechre has added a bit more instinct and intuition to their cerebral approach towards crafting their soundscapes. There is an astonishingly logical blend of superior elements from their previous work that feels both fresh and familiar. Exai, like Ae's other albums, accomplishes the staggering feat of stimulating your forebrain at lightning speed without causing a headache. However, it must be said that many will shy away from such abstract sounds and will prefer more conventional approaches of explicit emotion and, well, lyrics. This is not a strike against Autechre of course, as Ae still puts a great deal of humanity in their music. Like other forms of fine art, Autechre's work invites the audience to make sense of what's being presented rather than have everything simply given at the get go. This is music for those who can comprehend and appreciate pure form, space, and, if you will, color.Read full review