What does RUMTUM sound like?

A mixture of organic electronic music sounds, arranged around satisfying downtempo rhythms.

The review of ‘In a Forest EP’ by RUMTUM

Denver-based electronic producer and visual artist RUMTUM’s latest release, ‘In a Forest EP ‘, feels like a merger of eras and genres. Whilst RUMTUM specialises in downtempo music, modular synths, and world instrumentation, this EP aims to emulate the sound of late-90s and early-2000s downtempo music. From that perspective, the release is a triumph.

The EP opens with the driving beats and tuned percussive tones of ‘Aspect of a Dream’. Over the course of the track, organic textures weave their way in, like ice cracks and odd sounds from the world around us that feel of the earth, but might not be. As these seep in, the melodic aspect gathers momentum. Early motifs are extended into a whirlpool riff of marimba-esque, mallet-harp tones. With the downtempo beats thick and chunky, it’s a great opener, and the ringing bells wake up the soul. The title track follows, specialising in a low-slung groove and a lot of frequency-twisting synth noises. It sounds like we’re trying to tune into the frequency of the guitar that leads the main melody for the first few minutes, backed by a chirpy xylophone. Every song on this EP has some kind of organic field recording hiding inside it, and this track is no different. It opens with footsteps in a forest, and you’ll hear the wind outside casually bristle through the track at certain points. Towards the end, modular synth bleeps sweep in to create more of a late-night club vibe. It doesn’t go crazy, but the bones are there for a banging remix…

Speaking of sunsets, ‘Narrowing’ is more dancefloor focused that the rest of the EP. A simple synth bassline throbs under retro vocal samples, saxophone squiggles, and a wiry yet rubbery retro keyboard synth. I’m reminded heavily of specific eras of both Four Tet and Caribou, and I’m near-certain that RUMTUM is sampling at least one of those artists in this track. It’s a warm homage that feels joyous and uplifting. ‘Apterture’ uses tuned percussion samples, vinyl swipes, breathy vocal samples, and a mild disco string synth to give the glassy track edge. The track comes into its own when it plays a game I like to call “I’ll make every sample a stabby staccato noise”. The energy peaks there. It feels like the rest has a clever production trick that warrants repeated listening. Audio filters switch in and out the intensity of certain synths and samples, as if we’re switching lenses between the different instruments. The song has constant micro-robot sounds throughout the second half, which adds to the effect. The song title does the heavy lifting here, but my imagination takes me to robotic eye test noise samples! I wonder what the sound actually is? Initially, I wanted a bit more oomph to the track, especially with its switch in intensity just before halfway. Instead, this intricate approach turns ‘Aperture’ into a quietly clever repeat listen instead. Honestly, I’m ok with it!

Fans of Bonobo, Four Tet, Caribou, and Nosaj Thing will be right at home with RUMTUM. Whilst each EP he has released so far integrates different samples and instruments into his world, the ever-present downtempo energy keeps RUMTUM chilled, relaxed, and horizontal. I think the integration of more acoustic, tuned percussion, and world instruments is a boon for the sound. I hope to hear this concept expanded upon in future releases. The late 90s drum loops hit a special place of nostalgia in my heart, too.

Recommended track: Aspect of a Dream

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