This music is so thick it almost seems to have shape and colour of its own. Like an emerald green wave, crashing against the shores of self-doubt.
The shimmering vocal synth, twisted beyond all recognition and given a harsh metallic edge, blends beautifully into more mellow vocal samples, buoyed by a lo-fi trap beat.
Inspired by the simple melodies of trance and happy hardcore, Rustie adds a depth which marks him out as something of a virtuoso.
It’s unashamedly computer music, but, to me at least, just as powerful and emotionally heavy as a symphony. If anything, it unlocks further creativity.
Rustie has been absent from music following a struggle with mental health and addiction, but he’s already laid down an impressively innovative body of work which often defies easy description. There’s been rumours of a return, which I await eagerly.
‘Peace Upzzz’ was released in 2015 on EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE.