Kuf continues to show off his technical prowess with his latest release, “Kufism pt. 2”, on Swedish minimalist techno label, Arsenik.
Following the release of “Kufism pt. 1” last May, Swedish producer and DJ Kuf returns with even more eclectic sonics in part 2 of his “Kufism” release series. While Kuf is most known for his classic, ‘90s influenced techno sound, this latest release diverges into a broader amalgamation of genres — incorporating influences of house, electro, and dub — all while staying true to his style and taste. While the first two tracks on the record seem to take off where part 1 left off, the B-side of “Kufism pt. 2” feels like a pleasant surprise. Across the record, Kuf branches out into a new direction where techno is still the foundation, but house influences reign supreme.
Track one off the record, titled “Complex,” will certainly get dancers to break a sweat in a warehouse or club setting as bright synth stabs excite and take us back a few decades. A punchy kick drum blends perfectly with a deep and short sub bass, enhancing the groove and adding some swing. Crisp hi-hats and a bright clap further bring the energy to the fast-paced beat, adding a sense of urgency that only dancing can mediate. While the track is made up of only a handful of elements, the use of filters to slowly raise the volume of the lead keeps the track thoroughly engaging and adds some space in the mix to let the drums pump and breathe.
The next track, “You’ve Fallen Down,” maintains a similar fast pace but switches things up with the addition of a celebratory vocal loop. As the beat progresses, the vocal gets smeared to oblivion, scattered by several evolving filters and delays. Every so often, the beat makes a comeback, returning in full with its minimalistic medley of modular chimes intact. Once again, Kuf makes the most out of very few layers, helping to make the track feel deliberate and to the point.
While the first side of “Kufism pt. 2” perfectly pairs the two classic sounding techno tracks, the B-side ventures elsewhere. While the title of the third track, “Basic Dub,” seems to sum it up, this track is expertly executed and thoroughly engaging. Though the track starts off with a simplistic sequence, measure after measure, the beat develops into something far more complex and captivating. After a minute or two, “Basic Dub” blossoms into a rich and substantive dance track, all while showcasing its playful evolution each step of the way. Rather than introducing all of his best sounds at once, Kuf takes us through his track-making process, introducing only a few new elements every now and then and capturing their transformation throughout rather than picking and choosing the best bits and pieces and scraping the rest. This approach gives the track a live feeling and puts some of his production processes and techniques on full display.
The closing track of “Kufism pt. 2”, “Control,” feels like an unexpected treat. Much slower than the tracks on side A, this beat cools down the pace with a delicious house anthem that few, if any, are likely to see coming. The choppy melodic bass line is beautifully harmonized by the glorious blend of a soft pad with piano chords. Vocal slices elevate the mood to a feel-good, climactic grand finale. A pitched-down voice repeats, “Show me”, providing an unexpected touch from the producer that feels pleasantly nostalgic. Towards the end of the track, Kuf tweaks and scrambles the beat to make it feel even more conclusive, like a DJ warning the crowd through the use of dramatic effects that the set is coming to a close. It’s a welcome reminder to embrace and savor the moment while it lasts.
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-Jeronimo Watson
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