Timothy Gabriele: There’s a ton of ideas and acutely-executed little flourishes on this epically divergent number. As IDM, it holds my attention far longer than most of Aphex Twin’s last full length. What it lacks most though is contrast. “Why don’t you fight”, the vocal implores, but the production doesn’t ever seem to rise to that level of drama. It’s too chilled to have its buzz harshed by a disintegrating floor. It’s too tempo-locked to have any of its many transitions amount to the sensation of progression. It’s too focused on the micro to consider why each Kafka-esque metamorphosis of sound would amount to a whole worth the sum of its parts. Hyperstasis, but enjoyable in its attention to detail. [6/10]
Dustin Ragucos: Nicolas Jaar might have inspired me to get back to listening to some of the glitchy pop of Sweet Trip. “Fight (Nymphs IV)” can sometimes feel like being repeatedly submerged underwater. There’s a worry that Jaar’s arsenal of electronic noise might run out–although I wonder how that’s possible–but there’s a sensation of awkward abandon to this track that is reminiscent of someone deciding to fight when they really wanted to commit to flight. [6/10]
Kevin Korber: I’ve often found Nicolas Jaar’s work easy to admire but difficult to love; it always feels as if he’s holding me at arm’s length. This, the latest in his Nymphs singles series, has many of the elements that I like about him (particularly his mastery of atmosphere) without the cold distance. Perhaps some artists really do work better outside of the album format. [7/10]