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Barry Can’t Swim - one of the most exciting electronic artists in the world - announces his highly anticipated new album ‘Loner’, out 11th July on Ninja Tune. Alongside the announcement Barry shares a taste of what's to come on ‘Loner’ with club-ready single “Different” - a heady slice of electronic euphoria which has become a staple fan-favourite in the Edinburgh born producer’s enigmatic performances. 

Throughout ‘Loner’ we see Barry Can’t Swim navigate and explore the world he’s found himself in, a highly personal album that asks profound questions of its creator and his audience. Informed by the staggering success of Barry’s live shows around the world, 'Loner' remains anchored to his roots both as a grounded human being and a progressive, ever-evolving artist.

“If my first album was a collage of all the music I loved and was inspired by growing up, then this album is the most authentic expression I could offer of myself and my life over the past year” Barry comments. — (via Label)

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Dance producer Barry Can't Swim doesn't limit himself to one style or sound, though he generally makes lush, tuneful music filled with organic instrumentation and stirring vocal samples. Loner is his second album, and while there's plenty of the type of laid-back, feel-good grooves he's explored in the past, there's also some slightly punchier beats and even a few club bangers.

It opens with "The Person You'd Like to Be," a self-improvement instructional speech set to rumbling downtempo drums. "Different" is where he begins spiking his music with adrenaline, chopping up vocals until the title is the only coherent word, and setting off with an ascending bassline. "About to Begin" is an acid-infused peak time pounder, and the sweet yet sassy "Still Riding" is possibly the most infectious track he's ever made. "Like It's Part of the Dance" uses a familiar Brandy sample, teasing a few words until the track blooms with sunny arpeggios bringing to mind Orbital's joyful moments. The poetic ranting of "Machine Noise for a Quiet Daydream" seems to function as a sequel to "Deadbeat Gospel" from When Will We Land?, the first Barry Can't Swim album. Other tracks like "All My Friends" and "Childhood" return to the soul and gospel samples that were a significant part of the producer's earlier sound. The last few tracks are heavy on strings, with "Marriage" being a cinematic garage shuffle, and the nearly beatless "Wandering Mt. Moon" serving as a sweeping coda.

Loner is an easy improvement over Barry Can't Swim's debut album, and he retains his ability to craft reflective, sentimental material while strengthening his skills at making airtight tracks designed to ignite the dancefloor. — (via AllMusic)

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A gorgeous and varied album that will surely soundtrack countless summers, ‘Loner’ is an accessible and creative collection of colour-splattered dance music whose myriad delights feels all the more impressive for the fact that, like all the best parties, it doesn’t even seem to be trying to be as fun as it is. — (via CLASH)

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Label: Ninja Tune
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Released: 2025
Genre: Electronic
Style: Garage House

File under: House / Electro / Techno
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