This Week In Garage: salute, Swami Sound & Gemi
As garage music creeps its way back into the US, the synergetic relationship between the scenes has gotten me in a chokehold. Garage music’s entrancing energy is making crowds move on dance floors across the world. And as a strong proponent of making dance music about dance again, this movement couldn’t be more up my alley. If you’re like me, dive into Festival Insider’s inaugural edition of “This Week In Garage” and see if you missed anything.
Best New Releases
salute - Therapy
Going to therapy? $200 an hour Listening to “Therapy” by salute? $9.99/mo
“Therapy” is a perfect introduction to salute’s discography. Like the rest of the Manchester artist’s catalog, the track is lively, bouncy, and warm. If you don’t have the opportunity to catch him live, just follow his Instagram. He’s always posting videos of his sets, and the audience’s reaction makes you feel like you’re right there.
Follow salute on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
Gemi - Flutter EP
Maybe I’m a little late to the game, but I’ve been following Gemi since he released “Talk” in July last year and the song went straight to the top of my “On Repeat” playlist. The London producer is always dropping new tunes, but this week, he self-released his three-track Flutter EP. It’s exactly the warehouse vibes you’ll want to get hyped for the weekend.
Follow Gemi on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
Swami Sound - Refuse
As for what’s happening in the US, face of NYC garage Swami Sound just dropped a single from his forthcoming album. “Refuse” has a different mood than the previous two tracks, but that’s just Swami’s sound. The lyrics are a teeny bit toxic, but then again, aren’t we all sometimes?
Follow Swami Sound on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud | TikTok
Best New Mix: Swami Sound for Mixmag’s Impact Series
I might be biased here—I did handle this guest mix and write the Q&A—but Swami Sound’s guest mix for Mixmag’s Impact series is seriously fire. While his originals are a little more introspective and melancholic, this DJ mix gives you a taste of what you’ll experience when you see him live. Swami kept it on the softer side since he recorded it on a breezy Sunday afternoon, but it’s the kind of comforting mix that you’ll want to listen to over and over again. The tracklist features IDs from salute, Soulecta, and himself, as well as tunes from his frequent collaborators: Dirty Bird and Dazegxd.
Follow Swami Sound on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud | TikTok
Garage Throwback: Jorja Smith x Preditah - On My Mind
Who would I be if I didn’t mention this song? Anybody who knows me knows that this has been my most replayed song over the last 5 years, and I talk about it any chance I get. It’s the perfect breakup song. Preditah’s production is addictive. And Jorja Smith has the voice of a goddess. For a lot of people, this song was their introduction to garage music. I know it was mine. And while it might not be the most historical throwback track I could have chosen, it’s important to me that everyone listens to it.
Follow Preditah on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
Follow Jorja Smith on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
