Barry Can’t Swim has recently released a new EDM-infused banger titled Still Riding. The title perfectly reflects how the song feels to listen to. Some songs really carry you through them like a moving train, constantly pushing forward. Sometimes that momentum can feel overwhelming, but Still Riding is definitely a chill ride. It has a beat reminiscent of artists such as Fred Again, Four Tet, or Mall Grab.

The song features a sampled voice throughout and drums that hit in just the right places. The drums don't intrude too much on the other elements but still occupy just enough space to grab your attention and keep you engaged. A key feature of the song is the sampled voice, which carries the melody all the way through. The melody itself isn’t super defined, but that complements the mood of the entire track.

There was a time when the creed of every EDM producer was to build up to a big drop with chopped melodic samples. A good example of this done effectively is Closer by The Chainsmokers. Afterward, many artists tried to emulate that sampled voice effect. I won’t name names, but in many cases, it was done poorly. What I’m trying to say is that Still Riding is a great example of how the concept of sampled voices has been refined to the point where it now works incredibly well. If every song that follows used this formula, I’d be very happy.

Still Riding is a one-size-fits-all kind of song. It can work equally well in a rave setting or as background music. Achieving this balance requires a great deal of skill. You might think being a DJ is just about performing with fake spinning decks, but the reality is that the production discipline needed to reach Barry Can’t Swim's level takes training, grinding, and countless hours perfecting your craft.

These days, many artists follow the formula of releasing 2-3 songs as part of a single. Still Riding is accompanied by two additional tracks, Kimbara and How It Feels. The artists call this "The Waterfall Effect." I won’t go into detail about what it means or how it works, but I definitely prefer it to the previous trend of releasing single after single and then combining them all into an album. At least now, we’re getting something fresh each time.

In any case, Still Riding is a subtle banger. Give it a spin!

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!