Dam Swindle - High life album | Vinyl

Dam Swindle present ‘High Life’, their second studio album due on the 28th May on the duo’s own Heist Recordings. The heart of the album was recorded over a three week period at their Amsterdam studio in March 2017 together with Lorenz Rhode, and the release will coincide with the fifth anniversary of the label.

Since forming in 2011, the Dutch duo have carved a unique place for themselves in the scene. Their sound - which merges references from multiple decades into one smooth aesthetic - quickly rose to popularity for its careful blend of soul and rhythm, taking cues from their passion for obscure records, with influences ranging from house and funk to afrobeat and soul. Dynamic live shows and DJ sets afford them a packed touring schedule across the globe, whilst their label Heist Recordings is credited with consistently breaking new artists.

The album explores the intersection of live and electronic music, with much of the improvised material left largely untouched to maintain its organic sensibilities. Dam Swindle describe the album as an "electronic album with a live approach, combining our love for house, ambient and jazzy harmonics, making it a record interesting for the club, as well as a pleasant album to put on at home."

‘High Life’ explores stripped back soul and groove driven house over ten glistening productions. Featured on the album are a sun-drenched collaboration with British singer/songwriter Tom Misch and a deep workout with the vocals of trained gospel singer turned house aficionado Seven Davis Jr. Lorenz Rhode, who accompanies the duo for their live shows, features on the infectious melodies of ‘High life’ and has co-written ‘Ketama Gold’, ‘Call of the Wild’, ‘Yes, no, maybe’, ‘The girl from Shiraz’ and ‘Flavourism’. ‘Call of the wild’ incorporates none other than Dutch nine-piece brass band Jungle by Night, whose stunning improvisations were recorded in the Red Bull Studio in Amsterdam.