The Revenge of the Black Belly Button (TROBBB!) is the highly anticipated debut album from English-born DJ Kutmah, released on Big Dada Records. An influential and highly respected musician who was a part of the growth of the LA music scene in the mid 2000s (having moved as a young kid), he has dabbled into a sound which is often dark, murky and psychedelic.

With silky synth leads, glitchy sounds and hypnotic bass-driven rhythms, this album leads you on a trip to underground nightlife. TROBBB! was recorded in Berlin, Germany, which makes sense considering the nervous and anxious atmosphere this project creates. ‘Cooler of Evidence’ featuring N8NOFACE sounds like something straight from a Death Grips album. The simplistic but eerie groove on ‘Bury Me by the River’ featuring Gonjasufi’s ever chilling vocals and the chaotic claustrophobia of ‘Guidance Councelor’, showcase the albums diversity in sound and mood which makes for a very uneasy listen. So what exactly is the appeal? It’s the murkiness and darkness which effortlessly depicts underground life at night in a city like Berlin- the ability to soundtrack its city’s history, from the war to social and political issues throughout Western and Soviet leadership which divided the city for so many years.

It’s not only an album which pays tribute to Berlin however. TROBBB! also represents a side of East London (where I believe he resides for the majority of his time). Songs like ‘Hackney’ or ‘E2 7RW’ can transport you to an unnerving side to London. Like Burial’s seminal debut album Untrue, TROBBB! is an album which transports you to big city underground life is the most compelling and powerful way possible.

The album features great contributions from Natureboy Flako, Zeroh, Jeremiah Jae, Jonwayne, Sach, Chris P Cuts, Akello G Light, N8NOFACE, Zachey Force Funk, Ta’Raach and Gonjasufi.

Listen to Kutmah’s debut album TROBBB! below, and make sure you support his music.

Kutmah will also be performing in London on the 1st of November at Electrowerkz. Tickets for the show can be found here via Resident Advisor.