DJ Swella – EP 3 [ROYAL060]

Artist: DJ Swella

Title: EP 3

Label: Clone Royal Oak

Release Date: February 12th, 2026

Genre: House / Deep House

The debut of Australian talent DJ Swella (Clint Hargreaves) on the Royal Oak division of Clone marks a point of significant maturity in his production. While his previous works hinted at an affinity for warm harmonies, EP 3 positions itself as a piece of emotional engineering. Here, house music is not understood as a static genre, but as a canvas where repetition and chord modulation build a sophisticated and immersive club narrative.

Track by Track

1. Next To Me. This track is an ode to organic sound design. It sits on a rolling, elastic groove that supports a dreamlike chord progression. What elevates this cut is the subtlety with which the textures evolve; there are no abrupt changes, but rather a fluid transition that evokes the nostalgia of Chicago classics but with a production clarity belonging to 2026. It is music designed for transitional moments where elegance is the driving force of the floor.

2. That Room. Probably the most introspective and meta-referential piece on the record. “That Room” utilizes a hypnotic and spacious structure to introduce vocals reflecting on the importance of sound quality and the impact of high-end sound systems on the club experience. It is a highly immersive track where each percussive element has the necessary space to resonate, creating a high-fidelity atmosphere that invites both attentive and physical listening.

3. Gathering. On the B-side, Swella breaks the cleanliness of the previous side to offer a rawer, bass-saturated proposal. The rhythm becomes more rustic and the swing more pronounced, creating a necessary contrast. It is a “silk glove on an iron fist” track: it maintains the producer’s characteristic melodic warmth but with a much more forceful rhythmic base, ideal for smaller, more intense club environments.

4. Letting You Know. The EP closer is a direct homage to the lineage of figures like Larry Heard. With a melodic minimalism that radiates a luminous melancholy, Hargreaves proves he doesn’t need unnecessary layers to convey emotion. The interaction between synthesized basslines and atmospheric pads creates a sense of temporal suspension, closing the record on a note of timeless introspection.

Conclusions

EP 3 solidifies DJ Swella as a master craftsman of modern house. By joining the Clone family, he reaffirms that club functionality does not have to be at odds with melodic depth. It is a technical, emotional, and—above all—honest work that stays true to the roots of the genre, avoiding gimmicks to focus on what truly matters: the groove and the resonance.