Windowlicker

Windowlicker is a single by British electronic musician Aphex Twin (Richard D. James), released in 1999 on Warp Records. The track fuses elements of house, techno, and glitch, distinguished by a thick bassline, warped vocal samples, and complex percussion. It was issued as a standalone release and is regarded as one of Aphex Twin's most recognizable and influential works. The composition exhibits James's hallmark approach to sound design, blending synthetic timbres with irregular rhythms and evolving textures.

The production emphasizes a cyclical groove built around a prominent bass synth and jittery snares, with subtle tempo fluctuations. The track presents a blend of hypnotic repetition and sonic detail, inviting close listening.

The music video, directed by Chris Cunningham, accompanying the single, is widely discussed for its provocative and surreal visuals, featuring exaggerated transformations and stylized performances. The video has been described as iconic and controversial, and it contributed to the track's notoriety and enduring legacy in music video art.

Reception and influence: Windowlicker received acclaim from critics for its inventiveness and craftsmanship. It is frequently cited in lists of the best electronic tracks of the era and has influenced subsequent generations of producers and visual artists. The single has been released in multiple formats and included in various compilations and retrospectives of Aphex Twin's work.