This is a four track house EP from Lars Dales, one half of Dam Swindle, and featuring multi-instrumentalist Lorenz Rhode, their second on Toy Tonics as “Sound Support.” Stylistically, the tunes on Everybody Knows aren’t that different from Dam Swindle’s releases so we’re talking accessible-but-not-obvious, highly efficient house music. “Strung Out” is based around a string section loop, I’ve no idea if it’s programmed from scratch, built from a sample pack, ripped from a long lost disco 12″ or recorded live from an orchestra, but as a soaring bittersweet musical focus on top of solid drums and bass it works super-well. 

“Everybody” has that loose and live-although-its-clearly-not feel, a lovely rubbery discoid b-line, and some neat little synth programming touches to get you to the breakdown where Lars rewards you with a crisp synth breakdown which flips itself into quite the big piano break moment. “That Song” turns up the sidechain pumping and filtering for some semi-French touch vibes before an electric keys breakdown that’s not a million miles from Daft Punk territory. “Nobody Knows,” I think, borrows the chords from Bourgie Bourgie — at least you can sing it on top and it seems to fit nicely — and is in the same ballpark as the rest of the EP. The Hammond organ jazzing it up all over the shop along with quite a busy bassline make it all a bit much for me, but its house-goes-to-church vibe might really work for you. Solid EP.

⚪️ Everybody Knows Tracklisting

Sound Support: Everybody Knows EP (Toy Tonics / 12" Vinyl + Digital)
1. Strung Out (Extended Version) (05:25)
2. That Song (Extended Version) (06:19)
3. Nobody Knows (Extended Version) (05:12)
4. Everybody (05:57)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement

This record was submitted as a promo.

⚪️ Previous Coverage

❇   Features: Dam Swindle on 10 years of Heist, where the swindling never stops (2022)
❇   Cover Story: The High Life with Detroit Swindle (2019)
📰   News: Dam Swindle’s Lars & Maarten start two new label (2021)
✳   New Music: Dez Andrés comes alive on Back In My Space (2023)
📰   News: Detroit Swindle changes their name to “Dam Swindle” (2020)

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5 Mag Issue 217
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HOUSE OF FOUK: Originally published in 5 Mag Issue #217 featuring Dutch deep house DJ and production duo Fouk, Paris Cesvette, Azaad, Thando and more. Become a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right now…