Monthly Album Highlight - July 2025
Barry Can't Swim, the alias of Scottish producer and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Spence Mainne, has unveiled his latest offering - the boundary-pushing Loner album. This emotionally layered electronic record is a fusion of genres such as jazz, ambient, house, broken beat, and spoken word[1][2][3].
Loner is a danceable yet introspective journey that explores themes of isolation, identity, and change through a mix of club-ready energy and cinematic ambient textures. The album features immersive soundscapes and contrasts between intense momentum and wistful, jazzy moods, creating a rich palette of emotional and musical terrain[1][2][3].
Tracks like “The Person You’d Like To Be” and “Still Riding” highlight his emotive approach, combining eerie horns, sparse piano, and rhythmically tight production that invites reflection alongside movement. The album has been praised for its innovative production style and meaningful reflection on mood and identity in flux[1][2][3].
One of the standout features of Loner is its inclusion of a spoken narrative element that integrates with the music. The album also includes a euphoric build-up and a Kali Uchis sampling titled Still Riding.
For fans of Jamie xx, Fred Again, and O'Flynn, Loner is a must-listen. The album is available for purchase on the artist's website and can be bought in limited copies with a transparent green and opaque white twister effect vinyl and a bonus 7". It is also available for streaming on the dedicated Album of the Month Spotify playlist[4].
Barry Can't Swim has gained more traction since his early days on underground labels. Last year, he performed at a stand-out show at Glastonbury and sold out three shows at Brixton Academy. He is also set to headline at All Points East 2025[5].
Loner is expected to be popular during the summer, providing warm and welcome escapism. The album is a meticulously crafted emotive electronica drawing on house, jazz, and global sounds, making it a perfect addition to any music lover's collection[6].
Readers can sign up for updates on pre-orders, exclusives, and special offers related to the album Loner on the artist's website[7].
[1] https://www.nme.com/reviews/music/barry-cant-swim-loner-review-3611823 [2] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/may/01/barry-cant-swim-loner-review [3] https://www.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/barry-cant-swim-loner/ [4] https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX0bZvT6vj6X9 [5] https://www.nme.com/news/music/barry-cant-swim-announces-all-points-east-2025-headline-show-3631745 [6] https://www.djmag.com/news/barry-cant-swim-releases-loner-album-3629406 [7] https://barrycantswim.com/sign-up/
The album Loner by Barry Can't Swim, a fusion of genres including jazz, ambient, house, and broken beat, provides a danceable yet introspective journey that explores themes of isolation, identity, and change through a mix of club-ready energy and cinematic ambient textures. This emotionally layered electronic record is a must-listen for fans of Jamie xx, Fred Again, and O'Flynn, especially during the summer, offering warm and welcome escapism.
