Perpetual Morphosis

Dustin Wong is praised for his innovative guitar looping techniques, but thats only a part of what makes his work so unique. Perpetual Morphosis, his second release for Chicagos Hausu Mountain, utilizes digital production tricks and overdubs, making his work even more complex and mind-bending than before. His work still focuses on spiraling, twisting guitar patterns, with "Pegasi" serving as an excellent showcase for his fluid, post-minimalist fretwork. However, he incorporates plenty of new textures and approaches. Opener "Janus Jiggles" contains plinking percussive notes spaced out at irregular intervals instead of consistent patterns, and flashes of reversed effects, establishing a realm of unpredictability and surprise. "Audhumla Thaw" incorporates warped, chirping voices and rushes of fluttering beats, imagining a harmonious forest filled with both virtual and physical beings. Electronically altered vocals slither and shiver throughout other songs, such as the bubbling, hypnotic title track. "Memory River - Future Composite" is the albums nine-minute centerpiece, following tide-like rushes and rhythmic crashes with melodic fragments that help drive the piece further upstream. "Orihime Hikoboshi" splashes its circular guitar rhythms with blushing surf riffs, curiously fading out right after a shower of distortion suggests things are just heating up. Its never easy to tell how Wong comes up with these sounds and textures, and even hes not certain which direction hes heading in while hes creating his music. Its always fascinating, however, and exploring different technologies only adds further dimensions to his work. ~ Paul Simpson