John Summit Breaks Free on ‘CTRL ESCAPE’

22 hours ago 8

**John Summit’s CTRL ESCAPE is a snapshot of the artist he has evolved into: a multi-dimensional producer who is free from being stuck in one lane in the dance music scene.**

The dominance that John Summit has displayed in the dance music community is remarkable. Each year, he has only continued to grow his power within the scene, from dropping some of the biggest hit tracks to grace festivals and clubs to expanding his Experts Only brand to showcase fresh artists and host curated events. Yet whether you love him or hate him, John Summit’s authenticity is at the center of it all.

If you turn back the clock to before he was a surefire headliner, you’d find John Summit grinding out his career in the tech house scene. It was clear early on that his desire for evolution was there, as he began to dabble in Latin house and other styles, but it has become increasingly prominent in recent years. By the time John Summit released Comfort In Chaos, the direction he was heading — to become a multi-dimensional artist without genre confines holding him back — had been paved.

CTRL ESCAPE, John Summit’s sophomore album out now via Experts Only/Darkroom Records, is another step forward in that direction. For longtime followers, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, precedent was set on his debut album, his sets with Subtronics, and his openly playful prodding at the comments about “wanting the old Summit.” And if you strip back preconceived notions and listen to the tracks on CTRL ESCAPE for what they are, they really aren’t as bad as the burners on social media make them out to be.

“The whole point of being an artist is being able to express myself in any single way,” John Summit shared. “The overall concept of the album relates to not just breaking out of, literally, my corporate job, but also as an artist, being able to break free and do whatever the hell I want.”

The progressive house side of John Summit is put on display from the jump with the ever-mellow “STATUS:AWAY.” The track’s spoken word vocals add to the cinematic strings and piano melody, while the shuffling beat keeps you inching forward with each passing second. “CYANIDE,” the album’s closing tune, shares similar qualities while adding Absolutely into the mix, making it a perfect bookend for the collection of tunes within.

The tracks found throughout the rest of the album’s runtime vary in style and Summit’s distinct inspirations. “SHADES OF BLUE” with Devault and Julia Church gives off a mainstage festival vibe with soaring vocals, a driving bassline, and euphoric melodies. “SATA” is one of the standouts, bringing Rohaan into the mix for a tune that’s defined by its bouncy energy, Latin flair, and chopped vocal lines, bringing his tech house side back to the forefront. In the crossroads of those two is “WITH ME,” which encompasses elements from both while adding in gorgeous vocals from Julia Wolf.

“DON’T BELIEVE IT” is an absolute gem, with Absolutely’s second appearance on the album bolstered by a piano house groove that acts as the perfect relief for someone who wants to get lost on the dancefloor. Meanwhile, Latin elements are thrust forward when Feid joins in on “CHICA 305,” with its horns, percussion, and lyrical flow making it feel like a more mature version of “La Danza.” And “MESS W/ ME” with Nija is just an absolute vibe that I anticipate getting rinsed heavily during summer pool parties.

When it comes to the album’s previously released singles, some were hits while others felt like a bit of a miss. It took a while for “LIGHTS GO OUT” to grow on me, but it was clearly made with impactful festival moments in mind. I fell in love with “SHADOWS” with LAVINIA near instantly. It’s in the same vein of being created for those same festival sets, but it is dripping with sonics that make it stand tall. Meanwhile, “ALL THE TIME,” which brought in The Chainsmokers and Isley, is a fun track, but felt more like an attempt to recreate “Go Back” than anything.

While John Summit is the primary name on each track, others were involved throughout the production process, which is another indicator of the direction he’s headed. It’s common for artists who have reached a certain level to have other writers and producers help bring their ideas to life, and with his career where it’s at, it makes sense for him to lean on others throughout CTRL ESCAPE. So, although this has perhaps pushed him further into pop territory with polished tracks, it isn’t inherently a bad thing.

For instance, Freek Geuze, who has become renowned for his work on some of Summit’s biggest tunes, appears frequently throughout the album as a writer. The Dutch artist typically lends his progressive house, trance-forward style to the tracks he’s worked on, making them feel larger-than-life and more uplifting. Another name that dance music lovers will take note of is Cassian, who lent his mastering skills to multiple tracks, while others, such as 1991 and Pocket, have also received credit for their contributions on “ALL THE TIME” and “LIGHTS GO OUT.”

CTRL ESCAPE is an album that acts as a proper snapshot of where John Summit is currently in his career, and overall, it feels complete. He’s an artist who will continue to evolve his sound and avoid being pigeonholed by following wherever his creativity takes him, and while that might generate some haters along the way, it’s their loss if they can’t see the beauty in the music he’s creating. The tech house Summit that hadn’t made “Deep End” yet isn’t dead and gone, because flourishes of that era still exist and surface regularly. But he’s been afforded the ability to become the artist he has always wanted to be, and how could you say no to that?

Listen to CTRL ESCAPE on Spotify or your preferred platform, and follow John Summit’s social media channels to stay informed on his latest updates.