Duke Dumont unveils powerhouse debut album, ‘Duality’

Duke Dumont is a contemporary electronic music powerhouse. The house music dynamo has a stunning back catalogue that includes international chart-topping hits, multi-Grammy nominations, and bumpin’ Chicago-influenced underground productions. So it’s hard to believe that the multi-platinum producer is only just releasing his highly anticipated debut album, Duality.

Channeling his years of experience into a cohesive record that epitomizes his core beliefs, Duality is an honest, cathartic expression of Dumont’s desire to embody the mentality of a true artist. Out now on Astralwerks, the 10-track album is liberated from genre specifics and scored with his own sonic fingerprint. Rather, Dumont splits the LP into two halves — part dancefloor-oriented and part introspective and reflective.

From the album’s heart-on-its-sleeve, opening track, “Therapy” and the previously-released single, “Love Song,” to the club anthem, Dumont is asking listeners to see deeper into mind. There are no fewer than six collaborations across the LP, with US songstress and pianist Niia contributing to”The Fear” and Australian duo Say Lou Lou laying down vocals for “Nightcrawler.” Then there’s “The Power,” a collaboration with UK singer-songwriter Zak Abel, and the cut, “Obey,” which sees Dumont link up with New Jersey artist Roland Clark.

The second half of the record is where Dumont’s more introspective and personal tracks blossom. There is an appearance from Colorado singer-singer songwriter How to Dress Well on “Together,” before “Let Me Go,” an emotion-drenched track stitched together with the soaring vocals of Australian artist Ry X, closes things out in the most poignant way possible.

The ten-track release is a long-player in the traditional sense, produced to be listened to in its entirety, rather than a collection of radio-friendly singles. Besides his own production and vocal features, the album incorporates live string arrangements, guitar players, drummers, and piano keys.