Looping guitar great and former Ponytail member Dustin Wong continues to impress with his solo output. After collaborating with Japanese singer Takako Minekawa earlier this year, Wong is back with another solo full-length.
The new LP follows up his sophomore set Dreams Say, View, Create, Shadow Leads with a similarly mystical title. It's called Mediation of Ecstatic Energy, and according to a release listing from Thrill Jockey, the album will arrive on September 17.
The label writes: "Throughout the album, he uses syncopation, abnormal time signatures, and polyrhythm to create an overwhelming feeling of weightlessness, most notably on songs like 'Out of the Crown Head' and 'Imaginelectric.' There is also an increased bass presence, which is generated using his guitar and an octave pedal. These are the sounds of Dustin advancing his technique, pushing it as far as he can, from complex abstraction to blissful bursts of melody."
Some interesting info is also given concerning the album's backstory, with Thrill Jockey writing, "Much of the album's energy and all of the song titles are derived from a short story Dustin wrote, which is included in the album's artwork. The story incorporates themes of youth, technology, and spirituality. It was partially inspired by Dustin's experience growing up in a Christian school in Tokyo, which he attended from 3rd to 12th grade. It was here that Dustin was exposed to singing in rounds — a direct precursor to his dynamic loops. The theme of spirituality is directly reflected in the album's artwork, which is a photo of Dustin's aura taken in Japan."
Check out that album cover above and the tracklist below.
Mediation of Ecstatic Energy:
1. The Big She
2. Emerald Atmosphere
3. Imaginelectric
4. Aura Peeled Off
5. Out of the Crown Head
6. Liberal Christian Youth Ministry
7. Cityscape Floated
8. Speeding Feathers Staring
9. (A) shows (B) his analysis and (C) looked over
10. Physical Consciousness Went in
11. Japan
12. Helix Sky
13. Vision Waterfall
14. Tall Call Cold Sun
The new LP follows up his sophomore set Dreams Say, View, Create, Shadow Leads with a similarly mystical title. It's called Mediation of Ecstatic Energy, and according to a release listing from Thrill Jockey, the album will arrive on September 17.
The label writes: "Throughout the album, he uses syncopation, abnormal time signatures, and polyrhythm to create an overwhelming feeling of weightlessness, most notably on songs like 'Out of the Crown Head' and 'Imaginelectric.' There is also an increased bass presence, which is generated using his guitar and an octave pedal. These are the sounds of Dustin advancing his technique, pushing it as far as he can, from complex abstraction to blissful bursts of melody."
Some interesting info is also given concerning the album's backstory, with Thrill Jockey writing, "Much of the album's energy and all of the song titles are derived from a short story Dustin wrote, which is included in the album's artwork. The story incorporates themes of youth, technology, and spirituality. It was partially inspired by Dustin's experience growing up in a Christian school in Tokyo, which he attended from 3rd to 12th grade. It was here that Dustin was exposed to singing in rounds — a direct precursor to his dynamic loops. The theme of spirituality is directly reflected in the album's artwork, which is a photo of Dustin's aura taken in Japan."
Check out that album cover above and the tracklist below.
Mediation of Ecstatic Energy:
1. The Big She
2. Emerald Atmosphere
3. Imaginelectric
4. Aura Peeled Off
5. Out of the Crown Head
6. Liberal Christian Youth Ministry
7. Cityscape Floated
8. Speeding Feathers Staring
9. (A) shows (B) his analysis and (C) looked over
10. Physical Consciousness Went in
11. Japan
12. Helix Sky
13. Vision Waterfall
14. Tall Call Cold Sun
