LuckyMe affiliate Rustie surprise-released his third album, EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE, to the delight of fans everywhere. The album’s an interesting, almost-conceptual exploration, voyaging from fluorescent synths to quietly atmospheric soundscapes within its’ 15-track span. Rustie’s one of my all time favorite producers – I have a really intense emotional connection with his previous two albums, Glass Swords and Green Language, so of course I’ve been anxiously awaiting this one. I was so extremely eager about the album that I just started writing down my initial thoughts, and wanted to share them with you. Check out my track-by-track analysis of EVENIFYOUDONTBELIEVE below.
Editor’s Note: This album, for whatever reason, downloaded in reverse order for me. So, all my commentary is working from the ending backwards.
“444Sure”
- what i would imagine a Lisa Frank poster to sound like
- got some white noise elements to it, very zen but energetic at the same time
- THIS IS HELPING ME MOVE PAST MY BURNOUT SYMPTOMS I FEEL HAPPY THANKS RUS
“Open Heartzzz”
- flutes?
- this sounds like an electronic version of the beginning of “My Heart Will Go On“
- damn now i’m in my feelings
- but also feeling meditative
“Emerald Tabletz”
- opening is 2spook
- oooooh snap that slide whistle drop (or at least it reminds me of a slide whistle HOW MANY TIMES CAN I TYPE SLIDE WHISTLE)
- visualizing myself as Mario sliding down one of those tubes into some funky gem filled cave
- this reminds me a lot of Maxo
- WHY DO I KEEP RUNNING THE LAST UNICORN IN MY HEAD AS VISUALS TO THIS SONG
“New Realm”
- builds off “Emerald Tabletz” nicely, feels like i’m on some kind of magical quest
- seriously i keep thinking of animated movie moments while listening to this album
- specifically when Aladdin is in the Cave of Wonders
- this has a jazzy feel to it
“Death Bliss”
- OMGGGG i’m so down for this melody
- also s/o gabber vibes
- this is probably something that i’ll end up crying to later
- but happy weird overwhelmed crying
- those big epic synths oh my god
- if this doesn’t make you feel like a superhero idk what will
- A SUPERHERO WHO LOVES CRYING
- this is 100% my favorite song off the album so far
- too bad i’m listening to this in public bc in my heart i’m doing the biggest fist pumps ever
“Morning Starr”
- immediately thought of Sagrada Familia i don’t know why
- is that an organ? it sounds like an organ
- reminds me of choral music
- definitely a good set-closer
“What U Mean”
- i’m going to have this sample stuck in my head for the rest of the day
- this is definitely one that could’ve fit on Glass Swords imo
- i feel like i’m in Mario Kart driving in Peach Beach
- i can’t stop tapping my foot to this and some guy gave me a look but i don’t even care SORRY I’M SHAKING THE TABLE BUT YOU WOULD TOO IF YOU WERE LISTENING TO THIS K BYYYYEEEEEE
“Coral Castlez”
- this is nice
- i can’t wait to hear this live omg
“Your Goddezz”
- THE ONLY WAY I CAN DESCRIBE THIS IS THAT I GOT SO EXCITED FOR THIS DROP I WHEEZED A LITTLE
- UGGGGGHHHHH
- MY HEART
- IS
- EXXXXPLOOODING
- THIS IS LIKE WHEN I HEARD “SHADOWS” FOR THE FIRST TIME AND GOT SO EXCITED I TEARED UP
- IF YOU GUESSED THAT I GET OVERWHELMED VERY EASILY YOU ARE CORRECT
“Peace Upzzz”
- whatever this vocal sample is, it’s fascinating
- this and “Morning Starr” are great companions to one another, this is like the peaceful, contemplative reflection that opposes the bold energy of “Morning Starr”
“Big Catzz”
- every time i hear this song now i think of when Henry played it in a set this summer and i was so stoked that i spilled my drink all over my hand and then i had sticky hands for the rest of the night but it was WORTH IT
- SOMEONE TELL ME ARE THOSE AIR HORNS OR AM I HEARING PHANTOM HORNS AGAIN
- I CANT HEAR PHANTOM HORNS AGAIN I JUST GOT OVER PHANTOM DERULO HORNS I CANT HAVE THIS
“4Eva”
- in love with this
- the vocals
- just
- i’m a sucker for an R&B hook
- the break sounds like the cousin to “Ultra Thizz“
- actually this is like “Ultra Thizz” 2.0 and i am so into it
“Atlantean Airship”
- i’m trying to come up with an intelligent way to describe this track when in actuality it takes me back to a really transformational and difficult emotional space from last year
- but that’s why i love Rustie
- i always feel so much when i listen to his music
“First Mythz”
- man this is just
- like i feel he’s taking a lot of trends that people are eating up
- and flipping it into his own style
- but also kind of acknowledging these ridiculous things in a way that’s beautiful and not judgmental???
- i don’t know just go with it you’re almost done reading
“Coral Elixrr”
- the guitar is stunning
- makes me think of Dev Hynes‘s guitar solo on “Bet“
- this track has hit me right in the middle of my emotions
- i’m having a hard time describing this feeling
- its a strange super blissed out reflective one
- i cannot say enough about how much i love this song
- THE THUNDER
- I LOVE IT
Overall: 3.8 / 5
EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE is available on iTunes now – tell Rustie your personal thoughts on the album via Twitter.
