Image Credit: REUBEN-BL
22-year-old producer Anish Kumar shares the latest single from his forthcoming debut solo release in the form of ‘Steamroller’. Already making waves with his unique brand of hard-hitting and euphoric sample-heavy dance music, ‘Steamroller’ serves up another slice of raw propulsive energy bursting with light, simultaneously nostalgic and future-facing.
An expert at synthesising the kinetic energy of Northern Soul with infectious vocal samples and big-room house breaks, “Steamroller” marks the next piece in the puzzle for the northern producer’s distinctive and boundary-pushing sound. Kumar is a producer with a penchant for rugged sounds, keen not to overproduce and overpolish the arrangement, he is determined to champion the authentic, organic and raw house feeling that modern-day dance music is often missing.
Last year saw the release of “Blackpool Boulevard” on Ninja Tune’s Technicolor imprint, a collaborative effort between Kumar and Barry Can’t Swim, which became a surprise underground hit, with massive specialist radio support including Pete Tong making it his “Essential New Tune” and Danny Howard presenting it as the “Hottest Record in the World”, eventually going on to BBC Radio 1’s coveted playlist. He is no stranger to surprise radio support, a self-released single he released unofficially, without a promo team, in early 2021 would very quickly be named ‘hottest record in the world’ by BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac.
Kumar’s recent DJ performance at London’s Earth, part of the South Asian-focused festival ‘Dialled In’ exemplified his unique abilities when he surprised a sold-out crowd with an impeccable set, alerting audiences to his rising talent. With DJ performances so far including a breakout set at BBCR1’s Big Weekend and forthcoming at Four Tet’s curated All-Dayer At London’s Finsbury Park, Kumar has undeniably strong co-signs from all corners of dance music.
Kumar wishes to deviate from the often over-finessed tropes of modern electronic music, breathing a new lease of life into the scene with undeniably soulful and kinetic productions. Expect to hear much more as summer unfolds. Kumar’s debut project ‘Postcards’ is set for release July 29th.
Live dates:
August 13 – Four Tet All-Dayer, Finsbury Park
August 26 – Lost Village 2022, Lincolnshire
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