Barry Can’t Swim Delivers Rhythm and Reflection on ‘Loner’

Barry Can’t Swim returns to Ninja Tune to deliver Loner, a soul-stirring, sunlit odyssey of rhythm and reflection.

Barry Can’t Swim is no longer the rising star to watch, he’s the one to feel. The Scottish-born producer — known for blending dancefloor euphoria with live instrumentation — has carved out a space where electronic music can breathe.

With soundscapes that deliver something more intimate, more human and raw, Barry has emerged as the master of emotion-driven production. The release of Barry’s second studio album, Loner, out now on Ninja Tune, sees him invite listeners into a world that pulses with color, questions and connection.

The immersive, 12-track project doesn’t simply follow the success of When Will We Land, it surpasses it. Each track steps into uncharted, new emotional terrain, blending club-ready energy with cinematic brilliance. From the experimental opening track, “The Person You’d Like to Be,” to the blissed-out closer, “Wandering Mt. Moon,” Barry weaves together ambient textures as his aching melodies explore isolation, identity, and the beauty of becoming.

“Different” is a full-throttle dancefloor weapon that surges like a heartbeat on overdrive, and “Kimpton” featuring O’flynn is a soft place to land, a gentle sunrise to melt into like warm honey after a night of strobe-lit euphoria. “All My Friends” feels like a spiritual exhale: airy, luminous, and rooted in something bigger than us.

The serenity doesn’t last long. Like dusk giving way to neon, “About To Begin” crashes in with club-fueled vengeance. From golden, glowing introspection to a feverish, bass-fueled descent into night, this heater spirals with acid textures and rave nostalgia. “Still Riding” rides on it’s coattails with an iconic sample of Kali Uchis that would perform as well at the club as it would alongside the wind in your hair while driving with your best friends.

Loner feels like a conversation with the versions of you that you tuck away. Nothing about it feels heavy handed; it is full of playful curiosity that taps into emotion and vulnerability. Barry’s sound remains warm, uplifting, and alive, with a brilliant juxtaposition of club-ready cuts that lock into your heartbeat. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish, the perfect way to soak in the last of these warm summer days.

Dive into the introspective realm of Barry Can’t Swim’s Loner on Spotify or your preferred platform, and don’t forget to snag tickets to his upcoming show’s in a city near you on his official website!

Stream Barry Can’t Swim – Loner on Spotify:

Barry Can’t Swim – Loner – Tracklist:

The Person You’d Like To Be

Different

Kimpton (with O’Flynn)

All My Friends

About to Begin

Still Riding

Cars Pass By Like Childhood Sweethearts

Machine Noise For A Quiet Daydream (feat. Séamus)

Like It’s Part of the Dance

Childhood

Marriage

Wandering Mt. Moon