Demur’s latest album review features none other than British born DJ and producer Adam George Dyment better known as Duke Dumont, who amongst other things is also part owner of the Blase Boys Club, an alias production collective and record label with fellow associate and collaborator Henry Fredrickson.
Realising this I automatically got excited about getting to review this man’s latest offering, which on this occasion sees him now embarking on a debut studio album venture, Duke’s ten-track album is simply titled “Duality”, and is released under the Virgin EMI outfit.
To me, Duke Dumont is an individual who out of nowhere during the 2010s quickly blazed and changed the Deep house, Tech House, Electronica scene with so many timeless chart-topping remixes and hits ranging from some of my personal favourites, “Need U 100%” featuring the refreshingly talented A*M*E”, “Got U” featuring another talented practitioner Jax Jones”, and “The Giver”, just to name a few.
So going in I had high hopes and expectations simply based on the man’s past recent efforts and musical impact.
After the first spin the tracks that personally stood out for me where the opening track titled “Therapy”. A heavily energetic, vibrant, electrically pulsating track laced with soulful vocals, complete recognisable famous breakbeat, and vocal samples popular in hip-hop circles, all in all, an epic composition I feel should truly be experienced in surround sound.
Then we have a cheeky lil kut titled “Nightcrawler”, this one’s a cool, funky, synth-pop laced disco-funk, house track that compliments well with the talented twin sister duo Say Lou Lou’s (definitely ones to look out for!)vocal contributions.
The other notable track coincidentally following “Nightcrawler” is a track by the name of “Ocean Drive”, a track which throughout had a cool mellow electro-pop vibe, which I know for certain would sound great in a club setting. The main thing about this track that captivated me was that it derived a nostalgic feeling and fondness of being young on a Friday night getting ready to go out, welcoming and ushering in the weekend, and all its shenanigans and excursions.
To cut a long story short after giving this body of work 4 more spins, I kept arriving at a conclusion that did not really sit right with me, because if I have to be candid this project for me overall was a tad bit bittersweet. On one hand, I’m really thrilled that Duke has entertained and pursued ambitions of putting together a full official studio album, as opposed to just releasing remixes, singles and E.P.’s.
But it’s these very offerings which have solidified him and secured his name as one of the genres leading lights. Now I am fully aware that an artist should not be pigeonholed, typecasted, constricted and be expected to replicate the same art, as this will surely leave no room for growth and attainment, but a big part of me was truly wishing and hoping for another “Need U 100%” type of kut, as this was the vibe I resonated and fell in love with!
Overall not a bad outing, if anything’s to go by, it shows signs of a promising future.
By EYE AM Follow Demur Magazine
