Rustie, “After Light (ft. AlunaGeorge)”
[original version from Glass Swords]
I love Rustie, and “After Light” was my favorite track from 2011’s excellent Glass Swords. I really like the minor edits to the arrangement that can be heard here, but after two (admittedly, cursory) listens, I’m pretty underwhelmed by the vocals on this track. This is still a good song, and I really hope the producer is afforded the opportunities to work with more vocalists (singers as well as rappers), but I can’t help but hear this as somewhat of a missed opportunity. I’m amenable to hearing understated vocals backed by maximalist instrumentals, but perhaps Aluna Francis isn’t the right fit here. Imagine how much greater this track could have been had Jessie Ware or Katy B been in Francis’ place.
