2562 – “Aquatic Family Affair” / Fever (new album / stream)

Dave “2562” Huismans marked a significant step forward for bass music in 2009 on Unbalance, where his marriage of dub techno, inventive drum programming, and hazy UK garage textures improved upon his Aerial by miles and makes for one of the few flawless dubstep-borne full-lengths to date. In fact, driven by stuttering and powerful beats that are more prominent than any other element at work, “Aquatic Family Affair” begins in the same minimal and punchy manner that Unbalance‘s “Flashback” does. It’s reportedly built only of disco samples (as is all of his forthcoming Fever LP), but there’s no semblance of source material on either side here. Instead, Huismans establishes the audio tour suggested by the A-side’s title: the course of a sleek submarine, prowling alien depths. Bubbling synths mimic the scene at 20,000 leagues before the producer peppers his enigmatic “Aquatic” with ugly, detuned vibe loops if only just for a couple of measures. It’s part of a bold evolution for this guy — from hard-edged, early-career Tectonic 12-inch singles to the disembodied breakbeat stuff he’s producing now, Huismans is confusing the hell out of anyone still trying to make sense of today’s oft-splintering, bass-heavy dance music subgenres.

Fever is out April 4 on When In Doubt (tour dates after the jump).

TOUR DATES

25-Feb – Los Angeles, CA (Muse vs Smog) – Medusa Lounge

27-Feb – San Francisco, CA (Bionic) – Club 222

01-Mar – Santa Cruz, CA – Cafe Mare

02-Mar – Seattle, WA (Decibel Presents) – Baltic Room

04-Mar – Brooklyn, NY (Blkmkt Membership) – Underground Event

06-Mar – Montreal, QC – Salon Daome

RATING 6 / 10