Backyard Galaxy by Dam Swindle isn’t just another club release — it’s a celebration of everything that makes house music timeless. Out October 24, 2025 on Heist Recordings, the four-track EP finds the Amsterdam duo reconnecting with their deep-house origins, balancing soul, groove, and energy in equal measure.
Formed in 2011 by Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets, Dam Swindle quickly rose to prominence with their sophisticated blend of soul, jazz, and house. They have collaborated with icons such as Kerri Chandler, Tom Misch, and Jungle By Night, earning acclaim for merging live instrumentation with sample-based production. Across three full-length albums and numerous EPs, they’ve toured globally, performing at festivals from Defected Croatia to Dekmantel and beyond.
Their label, Heist Recordings, founded in 2013, has become a cornerstone of the modern house scene. By championing artists like Fouk, Crackazat, and Laurence Guy, the imprint has nurtured a sound that is warm, musical, and unapologetically human. The launch of Backyard Galaxy reinforces that legacy — reminding fans why Dam Swindle remain one of the most consistent and beloved acts in house music.
From the first few bars of “Feel It Much?”, Dam Swindle’s identity is unmistakable. The track’s plush pads, jazzy keys, and buoyant vocal fragments evoke early 2000s Chicago influence, yet its crisp production plants it firmly in 2025. The title cut, “Backyard Galaxy,” turns up the heat with intricate percussion and Latin flair — a radiant dance-floor anthem designed for both open-air terraces and packed underground clubs.
Flipping the record reveals “Rhythm Baby,” which dips into a classic US garage swing. Breezy chords, skipping hats, and a bouncy low-end conjure the kind of carefree motion that defined New York’s ’90s house. Closing track “What You Give” introduces a cosmic dimension: shimmering synths, lush atmospheres, and subtly layered vocals that float above tight, rolling drums.
Together, these four cuts showcase everything that defines the Dam Swindle signature: rhythmic complexity, emotive warmth, and musical precision. Each groove feels lived-in — the result of years spent honing how to make a room move.
Following the expansive and collaborative energy of their 2025 album Open, Backyard Galaxy marks a homecoming. Where Open experimented with tempo and instrumentation, this EP is all about focus — a refined statement of intent aimed squarely at the club. It’s not nostalgic, but it does rekindle the soulful pulse that first defined the duo’s reputation.
By releasing it through their own Heist Recordings, Dam Swindle maintain total creative control. Their label continues to operate as a trusted space for house purists and forward-thinking selectors alike, curating music that prioritises emotion and groove over hype. Backyard Galaxy fits seamlessly into that vision — a project made for DJs who value craftsmanship as much as energy.
At a time when electronic music is saturated with short-form virality, Backyard Galaxy feels refreshingly grounded. It reminds listeners that the essence of house music lies not in algorithms or trends, but in connection — the shared pulse between artist and audience. Dam Swindle’s approach feels timeless precisely because it centres human feeling within machine precision.
In 2025, deep house continues to evolve through hybrid influences: jazz-inflected live sets, Afro-Latin percussion, and modular synth textures. Dam Swindle have always been at the forefront of this blend, weaving heritage into innovation. Backyard Galaxy captures that tension beautifully — sophisticated but spontaneous, modern yet deeply rooted.
As touring resumes at full strength, the EP is poised to soundtrack sets across continents, from Amsterdam’s Shelter to New York’s Brooklyn Mirage. Each track’s versatility — from warm-up energy to peak-time vibe — reflects why the duo remain fixtures in both intimate clubs and festival main stages.
For Dam Swindle, Backyard Galaxy is more than a release; it’s a reminder of their mission: to keep house music vibrant, soulful, and alive. As the EP lands, it signals not just a return to roots but a step forward — an invitation for the next generation to join the groove.
We are Transmitting Vibes, not Music. The job of feet is walking, but their hobby is to dance. Dancing is a fantastic way to lose yourself in the vibrating rhythm of the music. So Dance Dance Dance...
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