DUSTY, formerly known as LIL DUSTY G, emerges from the underground with his latest release, WINGED, a genre-blurring journey that blends the raw introspection of alternative rock with the unflinching grit of underground rap. Released on Marshmello’s label the 8-track album stands as a bold testament to his evolution as an artist, weaving together personal narratives with larger societal critiques, all while holding on to a fragile thread of hope.

WINGED soars with a unique blend of influences, pulling from icons like Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, and even the politically charged rhymes of Immortal Technique. DUSTY’s journey from an alternative rock-inspired teenager to an underground rap icon is now coming full circle. As he himself puts it,

Growing up, I was heavily influenced by Smashing Pumpkins and alternative rock as it introduced my love to music, but it was really the underground rap scene that inspired me to actually put myself out there. It makes sense that I’m now going back to my roots with alternative music as that’s what got it all started.

The album is a sonic tapestry of struggle and redemption, filled with questions about authority, faith, and personal accountability, all explored through a kaleidoscope of genres. From the ethereal yet intense opening notes of “HOLIDAY”, where DUSTY grapples with the weight of existential introspection, to the cathartic release found in “GODSAW,” which layers raw emotional anguish over a textured soundscape, WINGED is unafraid to dig deep. The nostalgia-driven “OLD DAYS” brings a soft, hopeful edge to the album, balancing the heavier themes with its reflective lyricism.

But it’s “JUMPFLY, THE BIRD OF PREY”, with its King Crimson-inspired sonic rebellion, that truly sets the tone for the album’s ambitious range. It is a track that combines classic rock prog elements with an avant-garde twist, a bold move that shows DUSTY is comfortable. experimenting with both sound and form.