This new album sees the acclaimed duo Dam Swindle dive far beyond the deep sonic waters they're most known for, exploring lower tempos, synthwave, hip-house, and ambient across fourteen tracks. With a gestation period that traces back several years, Open is their most intimate and personal body of work thus far, birthed during a time of self-reflection away from touring and personal transformation as individuals. While the trademark Dam Swindle four-to-the-floor beats are still ever-present on tracks like "The Present Is Always Perfect," "I Need You," and "Is This Love?," it's the gentle waves of synths on opener "Home," the contemplative piano chords of "Bloom" featuring Joep Beving, and the lo-fi ambience of "It's Okay, I Can Wait" that showcase a melancholic, ethereal sensibility previously uncharted by the duo. Collaborations with vocalists such as NYC's Haile Supreme on "Not Enough" and Neo-soul singer Faye Meana on "Girl" expertly find room in between the dancefloor and home listening sessions, and a clear standout on the LP is the title cut where message-heavy rapped vocals from UK artist Samson ebb and flow amongst iridescent grooves. Under the helm of Maarten and Lars' adept A&R, their Heist imprint has become a beloved home for house heads of both schools old and new, platforming some of dance music's biggest names from Cinthie to DJ Sneak as well as the musical dawnings of artists such as Kassian and Makèz. The Dam Swindle alias has achieved house music royalty-like status across a storied 15-year career that includes two critically lauded full-lengths, collaborations with the likes of Tom Misch and Kerri Chandler, and a globetrotting touring schedule. This album stands as their most profoundly personal work of art to date, and they can't wait to share it with you.
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