Available now at Beatport is SMOG008, the new single from Kuru and Dustmite. The release, like every other SMOG offering, presents two tracks that form a symbiotic relationship. As would be expected from artists named after a fatal disease and nearly-invisible vermin, the single offers up an eerily melodic, and often otherworldly vibe.

The title track, Daime Forca (translated, “Give Me Strength”), is a haunting seven-minute exploration into the depths of Dubstep. Daime Forca starts off with the classic kick-snare pattern, progressing forward with spooky undertones that make me feel as though strange, futuristic beings are whizzing by me. After a two minute buildup tinged with samples of bird calls, the tribal percussion kicks in, followed by a 4:30 mark of a deep growling bassline I have come to appreciate in its most simple form. Normally a seven minute Dubstep track contains loops or repeated arrangement, but Daime Forca introduces us to an almost cinematic and progressive song, taking the listener on an interesting and ominous adventure.

The second half of the single, a track called Linius, features the vocals of SMOG family member, Kemst. Linius still brings a dark beat, but with a higher energy and drilling loops. Mediated by chopped, chanting vocal whips and more of a whooping, reverberated bass, Linius is a nice compliment to Daime Forca while still remaining on its own a B-side worthy of an A.

Altogether, the release is something SMOG should give itself a pat on the back for putting out. The two tracks show Kuru & Dustmite’s dexterity in producing, yet still with a relative cohesiveness. Both tracks compliment the other by introducing similar, haunting influences with unique approaches. It seems as though in the present Dubstep scene, anyone can produce a track with a simple, calculated arrangement. However, Kuru and Dustmite break the equation with Daime Forca and Linius. Cheers, SMOG!

Check out the video mix that Dustmite schemed up with Disney and Dali’s classic masterpiece, “Destino”.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Media Contender Podcast Series as Kuru joins the ranks with an upcoming episode. With their unique take on bass music and excellent past mixes, we’re really looking forward to what they cook up.

About the Artists
photos: The Konspiracy Th3ory

Ryan Origin (MUSE, Los Angeles, CA)
From his initial 4-track techno-sampling experiments as a 12 year old, to crafting Kuru’s blistering landscapes of bass, Ryan has always been involved with what’s next in electronic music. Active in the Los Angeles underground since the 20th Century, his DJ sets and dance events have opened minds and filled floors of every size. A distinct and twisted ear for production eventually garnered releases on imprints like Interscope, Argon, Nervous Records, C.I.A., Project Fifty One, and now SMOG. Today, acting as engineer for Kuru, he hopes to elicit feelings that echo his own experiences in rave culture. Hardcore will never die.

Jeff Tovar (MUSE, Media Contender, Los Angeles, CA)
Whether through design or music, Jeff Tovar’s work is always energetic, startlingly beautiful, and purposefully rooted in the future. Since the mid 90′s, his sets have brought a sense of lush, biting texture to the Los Angeles Underground, and his no-compromise aesthetic remains the driving force behind both Kuru and Club MUSE. Nearing it’s 100th edition since launching in 2001, MUSE has hosted artists critical to modern dance music such as John Tejada, Photek, Pinch, 2562, ASC, and Gridlok, among others. In 2011, MUSE’s co-promotions with SMOG have provided the cutting edge of bass to a city ready to embrace the new.
Professionally, Jeff’s effort with entities like Droid Behavior, SMOG, Iheartcomix and as Art Director and Head of Photography at Media Contender, displays that he can create compelling content, no matter the medium.

Dustmite (SMOG, Seattle, WA)
Coming from a unique technical background, Dustmite’s varied experience as a professional video game programmer, life-long drummer, and author of virtual universe performance software gives him a pristine sense of control over his musical work. Breakbeats are deftly manipulated, sub frequencies are crafted into visible objects, and his love for the moody and minimal side of electronic music gives the worlds he creates a dark sheen. Dustmite’s previous releases include his work for SMOG with “Game Over”, along with the relick by seminal bass artist, Distance.