Jonathan Kusuma sharpens his edge on new EP ‘Bank The Drums’
Four tracks of deep, percussive club music that show just how far his sound has evolved, built for both the floor & the headphones
Jonathan Kusuma is back with his latest EP, ‘Bank The Drums’; a four-tracker that sharpens his reputation for crafting rhythm-driven, sonically rich club music.
It comes via Sound Metaphors’ sub-label, Bless You.
Long celebrated for his command of atmosphere and percussion, the Dekadenz co-founder here builds a set that feels engineered for late-night floors while rewarding close, headphone-level listening.
The title track, ‘Bank The Drums’, opens with tightly packed percussion before slipping into darker territory, driven by metallic tones and sharp, pulsing synths. ‘All For Me’ keeps the momentum steady, its 4/4 foundation carrying cosmic flourishes without ever breaking the groove’s firm balance.
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‘Drummer Girl’ leans into organic percussion and ghostly vocals, combines in a layered, textural play that hints at Kusuma’s ear for spatial dynamics.
The closer, ‘Tserah’, moves with a looser, funkier rhythm; minimal on the surface, but full of subtle movement and offbeat accents that echo his club roots and meticulous production instincts.
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After years of shaping (and, hopefully, continuing to shape) sounds across Asia’s underground circuit, Kusuma, who now leads music direction at Zodiac Jakarta, continues to refine a style that’s both hypnotic, direct, and always downright danceable.
‘Bank The Drums’ may mark a shift from his previous releases, but it captures the sound of an artist refining his language (and of one that’s entirely in tune with the physical and psychological rhythms of the dancefloor).
Purchase here.
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
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