Dam Swindle - Open (2LP) [Heist Recordings]

Format: 2x12" in gatefold sleeve.

Amsterdam natives Maarten Smeets and Lars Dales, better known as Dam Swindle, present their third studio album with the release of a new single, “Girl,” featuring the smooth vocals of promising British artist Faye Meana. It's the first preview of their upcoming album “Open,” due out May 30, 2025, via Heist Recordings.

In this new work, the acclaimed duo delves far beyond the deep sonic waters that have characterized them, exploring slower tempos, synthwave, hip-house, and ambient across fourteen tracks. With a creative process that spans several years, Open represents their most intimate and personal work to date, conceived during a period of introspection away from the stage and individual transformation.

“We felt the need to tell a very personal story through our music, as a translation of our development over the past few years. We also wanted to make music without a specific goal; we just wanted to create. By removing the dance floor structure and any expectations of what a Dam Swindle track ‘should’ sound like, creativity began to flow naturally, leading to tracks in different styles and tempos. The result is an album that feels fresh, inspiring, and true to the heart and soul of our sound.”
— Dam Swindle, January 2025

Although Dam Swindle’s characteristic four-to-the-floor beats are still present in tracks like “The Present Is Always Perfect,” “I Need You,” and “Is This Love?”, it’s the gentle synth waves on the opening track “Home,” the contemplative piano chords of “Bloom” featuring Joep Beving, and the lo-fi atmosphere of “It’s Okay, I Can Wait,” that reveal a melancholic and ethereal sensibility the duo hadn’t explored before.

Vocal collaborations also stand out: Haile Supreme from New York lends his voice to “Not Enough,” while neo-soul singer Faye Meana shines on “Girl,” both tracks effortlessly moving between the dance floor and introspective listening. Another highlight of the album is the titular track “Open,” where British rapper Samson’s lyrically charged messages flow amidst luminous and hypnotic grooves.

Under Maarten and Lars’s direction, their label Heist Recordings has become a beloved home for house lovers, both old school and new, welcoming big names like Cinthie and DJ Sneak, and serving as a platform for emerging talents like Kassian and Makèz.

With a career spanning over 15 years that includes two acclaimed albums, collaborations with Tom Misch and Kerri Chandler, and an intense international schedule, Dam Swindle has earned almost royal status within house music. This new album represents their deepest and most personal work to date, and they can’t wait to share it with you.