Pete Bandit returns to Dirt Crew Recordings

Dutch-born, Berlin-based producer Pete Bandit returns to Dirt Crew Recordings with Trying & Crying, a four-track EP that confidently deepens his commitment to classic house traditions while sharpening his focus on the dancefloor. Following his well-received 2022 Wild Feelings EP and various label contributions, this latest release feels like both a continuation and a refinement, leaner, more direct, and unmistakably club-driven.

From the opening bars of the title track, it’s clear Bandit is dialed into the essence of 90s New York house. “Trying & Crying” rolls forward with a warm, hypnotic groove, built on sturdy drums and emotive chord progressions that echo the genre’s golden era without slipping into nostalgia. It’s a track designed for heads-down moments, where subtle shifts and textures do the heavy lifting.

“No Control (Let Loose)” follows with a slightly more introspective edge, pairing a haunting vocal sample with lush pads and keys. The result is deeply atmospheric, striking a balance between late-night introspection and dancefloor functionality. It’s here that Bandit’s attention to detail shines, every element feels carefully placed, yet never overworked.

On “The Meat Computer,” the energy lifts. A more assertive bassline and rougher percussion give the track a raw, almost spiritual intensity. It’s the EP’s most forward-driving moment, leaning into a stripped, percussive aesthetic that recalls the functional roots of Chicago and Detroit house while still sounding fresh and immediate.

Closing things out is a remix of “No Control (Let Loose)” by Dr. Sud, who flips the original into a breakbeat-infused journey. His take introduces a fluid, jazz-tinged rhythm section that expands the track’s emotional palette, offering a smoother yet equally engaging alternative for deeper sets.

Behind the scenes, the EP benefits from precise engineering, with mixing by Ariel Schlichter and mastering handled by Salz Mastering in Cologne, ensuring clarity and punch across all four cuts.

Trying & Crying is a confident statement from Pete Bandit, one that respects house music’s lineage while reinforcing his place within its contemporary landscape. It’s not about reinvention, but about execution, feeling, and authenticity. And in that regard, this EP delivers exactly what it promises, timeless grooves, built for the club.

Buy/Stream Trying & Crying HERE

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