The collaborative album “Disconnect” from Kevin Richard Martin (The Bug) and Joseph Kamaru (KMRU) delves into a sonic landscape where dub’s depth intertwines with ambient textures and spoken word. This exploration of dread, hope, and profound sound design pushes the boundaries of both artists’ established styles. The album has been praised by critics, with DJ Mag describing it as embodying “a sense of daybreak after intense turmoil.”
Disattaching from Expectations: A Unique Collaboration
Martin, known for his heavy sound explorations as The Bug, discovered Kamaru through the 2020 documentary “Under The Bridge.” He was immediately captivated by Kamaru’s approach to sound and the unique tonal quality of his voice. This initial fascination led Martin to explore Kamaru’s ambient works, discovering a shared appreciation for sonic space and a mutual admiration that blossomed into a collaborative project.
“Disconnect” began in Martin’s studio, where he encouraged Kamaru to contribute vocals – a departure from Kamaru’s primarily instrumental ambient work. This unexpected element became a defining feature of the album. Kamaru’s vocals, a blend of intonation and spoken word, weave poetic narratives into the grand sonic architecture crafted by the duo. This Disattachment from their usual creative processes yielded a striking result.
Disattaching Sound from Silence: The Album’s Soundscape
The album masterfully disattaches individual sounds from the silence, allowing each element to resonate with distinct clarity. Martin’s signature deep, expressive sound, evident in his acclaimed rescore of Solaris and recent solo works, provides a foundation for Kamaru’s evocative ambient textures. Each sonic object is meticulously placed, creating a hypnotic and shimmering mosaic of sound. The interplay between heavy dub elements and delicate ambient textures creates a unique listening experience.
“Disconnect” showcases Kamaru’s ability to disattach from purely instrumental music and embrace a new form of expression. His vocals, layered over Martin’s meticulously crafted soundscapes, add a haunting and deeply personal dimension to the music. The Wire describes the sound as “equal parts frosty dub techno and eerie minimalism.”
Disattaching from the Familiar: A New Sonic Realm
The album challenges listeners to disattach from their preconceived notions of genre and embrace a new sonic realm. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential for creative growth when artists step outside their comfort zones. The Guardian aptly describes the resulting soundscape as “a haunting landscape of ghostly bells and dust-dry doom.”
