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The Aphex Twin, Richard D. James, builds his own instruments digitally by transforming sampled sound and by manipulating the guts of synthesizers as he discovers what his next composition is going to be.
The man is very playful. When I hear a new Aphex track, I'm frequently disoriented and then laugh when I recognize the new place he's discovered to take us. It seems to be a matter of pride to not retake old trips.
I can only guess what he's doing and what the source of his sounds was, but his kit for "Nannou" seems to include music box chimes, ratchet tools, combs, the windup keys for spring tensioned devices.
I love the way every sound recalls our domestic environment. As you said, the combs, the chimes - though Aphex Twin's may be digital it's amazingly familiar. "Nannou" recalls that place one calls home (and also to some extent the music of Pierre Henry).
A very illuminating post which makes us appreciate the music even. Rare deed, indeed. Thanks
And so different from other tracks, such as "Come to Daddy" or "Rubber Johnny." I'm surprised to realize that I could call an Aphex Twin song "lovely."
Richard D can be so ugly sometimes you can use his music for audio fumigation.
Never know where he'll go though. Sometimes the destination is beautiful like "Fortune Green" or "La Nuit (Slumber Mix)"