Lil Dusty G is entering a brave new era. With his debut record, UNDERGROWTH, he leaned into bright piano loops and gauzy synths. Now, on his latest project, Dusty’s tearing down that bedrock to build something even greater. By embracing his love for rock, he’s unmooring himself from the lo-fi beats that made his name and sharing the music he truly wants to make.
On Saturday, Lil Dusty G celebrated the release of his second album, NOISE T.V, by performing a free show at On The Rox in LA. There, supported by Ronen, Heffy, Hellstvck, Tristan Wells, and Elldee, the mood was intimate and raw, feeling more like a raucous house show than a branded event. The crowd was close; there was no stage. There were even fans who drove hours to see the performance.
As Dusty tore through his songs, there was a lot to love. Throughout the album, he veers between searing rippers that wear his ’90s influences proudly (“BLACK NOISE”) and cuts that reveal his admiration for Thom Yorke, reaching for a similar splendor that colors Radiohead songs (“TEAL NOISE”). The opening sample from “BLUE NOISE” even mirrors the voice from OK Computer’s “Fitter Happier.”
After getting discovered by Marshmello, Dusty felt creating “internet beats-type music” was expected of him and the only option. Rock, however, was always his passion — and the music he wanted to make the most. NOISE T.V reflects his introduction to alternative rock through Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and the joy is palpable. “Every chord, bassline, top line, and some vocal melodies were written on my Martin acoustic guitar and scratched onto Voice Memos,” he explains. “Chords are the most important thing for me.”
Each track adopts a signature color and, consequently, mood that acts as a different channel. “When it came to naming the songs, I went back to my guitar, swallowed 2 grams of mushrooms, and played the naked chords for each song, and let my synesthesia name them for me,” Dusty says of his process. There are no features, instead pulsing with a concept that aims to pull listeners into his world. While Dusty prioritizes aesthetics here, the execution pays off. The music offers substance, sounding emboldened and more organic.
NOISE T.V is a testament to his style, ambition, and potential. It’s clear that Dusty has found his calling — and his confidence feels heightened, as he’s an artist unafraid to experiment.
