Rustie
Green Language
(Warp Records)

Once “Raptor” begins, flighty synthesizers are suddenly surrounded by hip hop-blessed dynamics that are engaged in a fight to the death. Almost suffocating the synthesizers, the bass beat goes to astronomical lengths to gain stability and with this kind of formulaic styling, Green Language, the new album by Rustie, operates on an immediately superior level. With an ever-moving delicacy and construction of hyper-caffeinated sounds, Green Language operates with a shadowy fierceness and crazy velocity. The mellow, robotic, yet vintage R&B sway on “Lost,” featuring Redinho, is equal parts new school and old school. Featuring talkbox-like vocals made famous by the legendary ’80s funk stature of Zapp, the vocals on “Lost” are emblazoned against earth-shattering bass beats. “Paradise Stone” feels like a forage into a steamy electronic tropical island. “Up Down” featuring D Double E is steady hip hop doused in dubstep. “Attak,” featuring Danny Brown, moves with a vibrant and unforgettable delivery of words and beats. The razor-sharp instrumental of “Velcro” develops into a lush and playful world. It boasts a wicked guitar run that sounds so ’80s metal it should not fit in this sonic space, but it does. Rustie hails from Glasgow. Green Language is his second album and it has received deserved critical praise.