Released in the second half of last year, Rusuden’s
first official album, Formulae, published on
Cincinnati, Ohio-based label Sonic Terror, follows a
series of EPs and CDR albums. With soft melodies and
sumptuous soundscapes, Rusuden almost imperceptibly
creates his own musical world and present here a consistent
piece of work.
Justin Morgan, the man behind Rusuden, started playing
in a variety of indie rock bands and hip-hop collectives
while studying. During his spare time, Morgan started
experimenting with electronic music, finally establishing
this project in 1999. Following his graduation, Morgan
teamed up with a friend to set up the Fu Man Chaw imprint
to release CDRs. With interest rapidly growing, Morgan
found his own music featured on a variety of American
indie films soundtracks, and some of his tracks were
also featured on MTV’s The Real World
and on a commercial. Joining the Sonic Terror roster
in 2002, he released a split EP with Line 47 and toured
the US East Coast and Canada with the rest of the label’s
artists in the first half of 2003.
As the album’s artwork leads to think, Formulae
is based on a variety of aquatic themes. Using either
sound samples of bubbles or aquatic animals, or generated
sounds reflecting the inspiration for this album, Formulae
is a sumptuous record. Naming Aphex
Twin, Boards Of Canada
or Joseph Nothing
as his main influences, Morgan presents here a textbook
electronica album, reminiscent of early Warp or Rephlex
releases. If this album appears at time formulaic (pardon
the pun), it remains a rather interesting, is rarely
daring, piece of work. Ranging from spacious ambient
moments, often wrapped up in blankets of warn analogue
sounds (Thousand Year Decent, Migrate &
Molt, Prankton, Membrane) to
classic techno (Day Breaks, Yr Brooding
Distortions, Laptop Vagabond), Morgan
intentionally visits familiar musical grounds to add
his sonic imprint. Steering clear from entirely abstract
or abrasive soundscapes, he carves beautiful melodies
in the heart of complex hip-hop-infused beat structures
and makes good use of his chosen sonic territory. Despite
remaining firmly in touch with his influences, Morgan’s
music has enough personality to shine through and present
its own side of the story.
Reflecting on classic electronic themes, this album
denote an element of musical maturity as it builds on
the musical legacy of the last fifteen years, yet appears
fresh and interesting enough to retain the attention
of the listener all the way through. With Formulae,
Justin Morgan is not so much bothered about pushing
boundaries as exploring the many corners of a genre
in constant evolution. And it is a rather good thing.
3.7/5 |
