I really, truly enjoy the feeling of discovering incredible music. In this climate of bedroom producers, good DJs are a dime a dozen. The really spectacular ones, on the other hand, tend to creep up on you slowly and deliberately. They perfect their craft. Working. Toiling away. One day you might discover a recent release from them and by then it’s all over – you’ve spent the next six hours going through their back catalogue. It’s a wonderful sensation, similar to wandering through a dense forest, sharp twigs scratching at your face, cursing nature for creating the forest in the first place. That is, until you make your way out and see the sights before you, shimmering and glistening. Only then do you realize that you should not be cursing nature but the forest itself.
My bright and shining light today came from Kubbi. I discovered him like I do most unrecognized talent… browsing through the Monstercat subreddit. The link in question was to Kubbi’s latest album Ember. And in this case, “latest” is a word of relevance. Kubbi released three albums in 2012, something that only a producer like Savant would be able to boast about. And that’s not even it. Between those three albums, enough single material was created to release an entirely separate album. And although there were no releases from Kubbi on Bandcamp in 2014, that makes Ember all the more special.
There are so many different elements and styles utilized in this album, all working together in an effortless fashion. The album’s overall genre would be loosely considered chiptune, but to relegate it to that constricting box would be to completely discredit all the work that went into it. Beautiful, flowing and melodic chords unite and intertwine each track, allowing for the little effects within each to blossom. Energy, passion, creativity, this album has got it all. If you were looking for an easy-listening, inventive and truly exceptional album to explore – this is it. 
Throughout the nine tracks, influences can be found from progressive house, glitch hop, drum & bass, and even rock, all still keeping with the chiptune synths and attitude. It allows the album some breathing room and doesn’t suffocate the listener with a monotonous experience, while still retaining the core values of Kubbi. It’s a masterstroke through and through, and it’s an album that I will be listening to for a long time.
The album is available as a “name your price,” but as always, if you enjoy the album, I encourage you to give back to the artist.
