In the few short years that we’ve known them, SF glitch/dubstep duo K Theory have made a huge impact on the Bay Area. From playing regularly with some of the biggest names in EDM at Ruby Sky to headlining their own shows, K-Theory have made themselves very hard to ignore. And why would you want to?
Today is the release of the heavily anticipated K Theory EP on Simplify Recordings. While the duo has released a number of fantastic originals and remixes, I feel like this EP stands out as a landmark – over the past year, they have defined and refined their sound to be truly unique to K Theory. In the EP, you hear a bit of their dubstep oriented roots, but the main focus is on high-energy, in your face straight up glitch hop. Choppy bass synths and giant kick drums drive the majority of the tracks, while vocals, various pianos, slap bass, and big backing leads support and highlight the main sounds. Something I really dig about this EP is the consistency of musicality. Oftentimes in this sort of genre producers get a bit carried away with their basslines and forget to keep the big heavy parts consistent with the melody. K Theory have done an excellent job of dropping huge dubstep-influenced basses that highlight and add to instead of completely dominating the main melodies. My favorite example of this is “Johann” – the main arpeggio is the focus of the track while the low tones complement when necessary. The result is a wonderfully heavy track that maintains all of the intended musicality. “Boardwalk Hustler” is another interesting case – while the wobble dominates the mix, it is still consistent with the dark piano line from the breakdown.
It isn’t often we hear such a creative EP in a time where everybody and their second cousin twice removed is trying to make the heaviest shit they can possibly muster. If you’re one of those that’s in the ‘it’s not heavy unless there’s a giant fucking growl bass over the entire track’ camp, give “Warrior” a listen. If that funky slap bass and haunting vocal isn’t enough to change your mind, perhaps you’ll fit in better with these guys.
Be sure to support K-Theory and buy the EP on Beatport. Give em a like too.
