Rusuden (a.k.a. Justin Morgan), fresh off of an impressive Split-EP with Line 47, hits back with a full length of sublime aquatic electronics on Formulae. SonicTerror have a definite ear for precise, rhythmic, emotive and quality tracks; Case in point, Rusuden. The opener, “GITD Trea Clym” nurtures a pleasant syncopation of beats reminiscent of Plaid’s fine-tuned melodic moments on Not For Threes (Warp). It’s moments like these where you actually drift inside the oceanic depths of Rusuden’s musical formulas. You can surely feel the 8-bit funk exuding from tracks like “Prankton,” “Migrate & Molt” and “Ana Appears Normal (Abnormal Mix),” but there’s even more unveiled upon further listening: “Minari,” “Laptop Vegabond,” and “The Blind Colony” contain a sharp subterranean punch that wouldn’t be out-of-place on labels like Skam, MAS or even Warp for that matter. Fans of Plone will enjoy the upbeat, energetic “Jellies in a Vaccuum” with its waving melodies and glittering electronic texture. Keep in mind, though, that there’s a distinct amount of mutated breakbeats sliding through the cracks making Formulae quite energetic.
The production level on Formulae rests at a confident peak, the music braces itself firmly on fragile branches of experimental electronics, while most of these tracks could also be used as a soundtrack to The Abyss (click on tracks like “Thousand Year Decent” and “Membrane,” for example).
By definition, Formulae represents an utterance of conventional notions or beliefs; a hackneyed expression of electronic rhythms meant to scratch your brain (we couldn’t agree more). Not forgetting the important visual aspect on this release; Formulae reaches through infinite depths of the ocean and extracts a species of digitally enhanced marine grooves that haven’t been heard or seen before; The fragile, watery sounds of Rusuden is in full effect.
Formulae is OUT NOW on Sonicterror Recordings.
