In subsequent years, Douwma continued his affiliation with Ram Records, releasing a 12" more or less annually (i.e., Airplane/Flamenco, 2006; Special Place/Druggy, 2007; Time Warp/Join the Dots, 2008; et al.) and performing as an affiliate DJ at clubs such as Fabric and festivals such as Glastonbury. In 2009 Douwma issued his full-length debut, Sub Focus, which incorporated an eclectic fusion of futuristic house, dubstep, and electro-rock. The following year he produced the track "Kickstarts" for British singer/rapper
Example, which peaked at number three on the U.K. singles chart, and in 2011 he inked a deal with
Mercury, with plans to release his second album under the Sub Focus moniker in late 2012. The album sessions went on longer than expected and spawned five singles which gained Douwma increasing recognition and success with each release, culminating in the euphoric U.K. number ten hit "Endorphins" featuring vocalist
Alex Clare. The success of the single was no doubt powered in part by its brilliant music video, which saw brutal riot police cracking down on dissidents in a dystopian future where music has been banned. A number of other high-profile vocalists, including
Bloc Party's
Kele Okereke, appeared on the eventual album, which was titled Torus and released in September 2013. After the release of Torus' final single, a version of "Close" featuring Daniel Pearce, Douwma spent some time touring and designing a new studio. He resurfaced in 2016 with a pair of singles that underscored his jungle and garage roots, "Love Divine" and "Nobody Knows." The old-school feeling continued with 2017's "Lingua," a drum'n'bass- and dancehall-tinged track featuring vocals from
Stylo G. Douwma followed it a few months later with "Don't You Feel It," a collaboration with Finnish vocalist
Alma.~ Jason Birchmeier