Duke Dumont, Duality Review

Duke Dumont is a DJ and electronic musician from Rayners Lane (London). Now residing in Laurel Canyon (LA), Dumont has an extraordinary connection with music as he was initially born deaf. With corrective surgery, this directly shaped the way he interprets sounds, with tone and timbre taking precedence over linguistics, which inadvertently developed his approach to record making. Dumont has defied all odds by creating hits and infectious club records, boasting billions of plays across the globe. As a DJ, he has topped the billing on various stages worldwide. Dumont learned to develop his skills at such iconic institutions as Fabric to Panorama Bar (Berlin) and playing some of the biggest stages from Coachella (USA), Exit (Serbia) to Splendor In The Grass (Australia). He has had numerous residencies in Ibiza (Amnesia & Sankeys) and Las Vegas. Dumont shares his philosophy; “The goal isn’t for record sales or attention-grabbing tactics. It’s for producing records with longevity and soul. If my records can outlive me, I can die happy.” He is best known for his hit singles’ Need U (100%)’ ‘I Got U,’ ‘Ocean Drive,’ and ‘Won’t Look Back.’ Dumont is now releasing his debut album titled Duality on the Virgin EMI label.

 Positives: . A nice variety of sounds, vocalist, and feels span the duration of Duality. There is something for everyone here, and best of all, it is all danceable.

 Bottom Line:  Duality is the debut studio album by the British House DJ Duke Dumont. The ten-track album features cuts with How to Dress Well, Say Lou Lou, Ry X, Zak Abel, and more. Combining driving kick drums with emotion-drenched vocal samples and poignant orchestral elements, Dumont delivers a melodic record that leaves a lasting impression. Channeling his years of experience, the album is an authentic, emotional expression of his desire to embody the mentality of a true artist, liberated from genre specifics, and scored with his own sonic fingerprint. Features include RY X, Zak Abel, and house legends like Roland Clark, as well as indie artists such as How To Dress Well and NIIA, reflecting his open-minded approach and versatility as a songwriter and producer. The multi-Grammy-nominated electronic artist has amassed over 2.5 billion streams across his catalog. The album contains his previous platinum-selling UK #1 “Ocean Drive.” “The Power” has a deep feel from the influences of House that feature Zak Abel. The synths and beat are well-produced and grow in intensity while keeping the dance feel alive. “Nightcrawler” features Say Lou Lou and strays into the pop realm. “Obey” features ominous sounds set to an acid-house vibe with Roland Clark leading the way. The stand outs are “Therapy,” “The Power,” “Nightcrawler” and “Ocean Drive.” Duality is an impressive debut album that is rich in features and production. That’s the short of it!

Connect with Duke Dumont: Website |