The Gag File Explained

The Gag File is a studio album by American musician Aaron Dilloway. It was released on April 28, 2017, through Dais Records.^[1]

Background

Aaron Dilloway is an American experimental/noise musician. After leaving the band Wolf Eyes, he has released multiple recordings and performed live as a solo artist.^[2] The Gag File is a follow-up to his solo studio album, Modern Jester (2012).^[3] In a 2017 interview, Dilloway said, "[The album] is mostly either loops I made of instruments or objects I recorded, or samples of old recordings."^[4] The album was released on April 28, 2017, through Dais Records.^[5]

Critical reception

Paul Simpson of AllMusic stated, "Mirroring his live performances, the album is filled with hideous monster-like vocals and disjointed rhythmic loops created from clanging buckets and other objects." He added, "There's also plenty of sudden, uncomfortable pausing and shifting, as well as an entire track that seems to be a processed recording of a casual house party, with lots of laughter, clinking glasses, and a soul record playing in the background." Bryon Hayes of Exclaim! commented that "The Gag File, on which Dilloway advances his standard operating procedures to deploy an arsenal of mangled eight-track loops and garbled vocal mumblings, is certainly rife with meritorious moments."

On July 3, 2017, The Quietus placed The Gag File at number 48 on its list of "The Best Albums of 2017 Thus Far".^[6]

Accolades

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.^[7]

• Aaron Dilloway – recording
• Nate Young – recording
• R. Nuuja – recording
• Thomas Buhl-Wiggers – recording
• Josh Bonati – mastering

Notes and References

1. Web site: Aaron Dilloway - The Gag File . . September 14, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803155747/https://www.daisrecords.com/products/aaron-dilloway-the-gag-file . August 3, 2024 . live.
2. Web site: Aaron Dilloway, "The Gag File" . . March 29, 2017 . September 14, 2025.
3. Web site: Aaron Dilloway . . Paul . Simpson . September 14, 2025.
4. Web site: Aaron Dilloway's Crackling 'The Gag File' Arrives, a Decade in the Making . . Marc . Masters . April 26, 2017 . September 14, 2025.
5. Web site: Aaron Dilloway announces new album The Gag File, shares new track, refuses to give up on creeping you out . . Dan . Smart . March 29, 2017 . September 14, 2025.
6. Web site: The Best Albums Of 2017 Thus Far – And A Quietus Appeal For Help . . July 3, 2017 . September 14, 2025.
7. Aaron Dilloway . Aaron Dilloway . 2017 . The Gag File . vinyl booklet . Dais Records.