Kumarachi Blends Old-School Melodics and Darkstep on “Dusk”

If Critical Music head Kasra should be remembered for anything in 2017—and indeed, throughout his career—it’s for having an ear like no other for sussing out potential hit-makers in drum & bass. Such is most certainly the case with Kumarachi, a relatively new producer out of Nottingham in the UK, whose latest four tracks Critical snapped up for the 15th installment of their Binary series, conveniently due out on December 15.

Kumarachi has been on the radar of D&B heavy-hitters for a few years now, having been featured on Noisia Radio more than once since 2015. He was also featured in the Upbeats’ Critical Sound set on Rinse FM, so it’s safe to say Kasra has had his eye on the young talent for a minute.

So, what’s Kumarachi’s appeal? First and foremost, very clean production. Almost as importantly, however, it’s the throwback jungle vibes, which are surprising for a newcomer like this. It’s also quite surprising to find a style like Kumarachi’s on a Critical release, but the Binary series is nothing if not diverse.

“Dusk,” the third track on the Binary Vol. 15 EP, is a great example of this throwback/mashup style. Kumarachi uses early-sounding, snare-heavy two-step drum & bass in the intro of the track. Vocal and synth samples—which any old-schooler would recognize as classic sounds from the mid ‘90s/early ‘00s—are pervasive, and the two-step drums continue throughout the track. Classic amen breaks are peppered into the track and are also a dead giveaway as to how much Kumarachi loves and reveres the old styles.

Where does the modern bit come in? It’s subtle, but it’s there—mostly in the sound design and arrangement. The recognizable old-school synths and vocals are twisted and warped in a surprising way, and while the sub-bass is also recognizable to early darkstep fans, it’s ornamented with more recent dubstep or neuro-tinged flares.

All the different elements in “Dusk” make for a fun, ravey track from Kumarachi’s first Critical/Binary venture, and the EP is definitely a surprise from the label and worth checking out in full.

Available December 15 via Critical Music.

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