Barry Can’t Swim is Back with Powerful New Single ‘The Person You’d Like To Be’

Continuing his ascent as one of the U.K.’s most in-demand electronic acts, Barry Can’t Swim has returned with a intense new single. Listen to “The Person You’d Like To Be” below.

Offering direct spoken-word vocals that cut through discordant arrangements, the track marks the first preview of a forthcoming project from the Scottish artist. More details of the release are expected to arrive soon.

Born Joshua Mainnie, the DJ and producer has had a stratospheric rise over the past 18 months. Following the release of his debut album, When Will We Land?, in October 2023 – which peaked at No. 12 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart – Mainnie has gone on to perform at major festivals across the globe, including Coachella and Australia’s Laneway.

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In September 2024, the record was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize. His nomination puts him alongside Aphex Twin, Nia Archives, Burial, Jamie xx, Fred Again.. and Jon Hopkins as the only solo British electronic acts to be nominated for the award. Leeds band English Teacher would go on to be named as the winner of last year’s award.

Later that month, Mainnie released “Still Riding,” a dancefloor cut that features a sample of Kali Uchis’ 2015 single “Ridin Round.” It was first aired at one of his sets in 2022, before he released the track – which samples the Colombian-American artist’s vocals – to streaming two years later.

When Will We Land? also led Mainnie to a BRIT Awards 2024 nomination in the dance act category, as well as making the shortlist for the Scottish Album of the Year awards. He performed three sold-out shows at London’s iconic O2 Academy Brixton last October, following a much talked-about slot on The Park stage at Glastonbury earlier in the year.

Mainnie will headline London’s All Points East series on Aug. 22. He will be supported by special guests Confidence Man and Shygirl. Elsewhere, there will be appearances from a bevy of dance acts including DJ Heartstring, Interplanetary Criminal, Salute, Leon Vynehall and ATRIP, among others. The four-night festival will also see RAYE, The Maccabees, and Chase & Status top the bill at their respective all-dayers.

On Aug. 24, Mainnie will appear at Bristol’s Forwards Festival alongside Doechii, Ezra Collective, and Jorja Smith. He is also scheduled to headline Lost Village Festival in Lincolnshire across the same weekend.

He is currently gearing up for a U.S. tour through the spring, which will see him perform in major cities including Boston and New York. The run of dates will culminate with two nights at Los Angeles’ Shrine Expo Hall (May 2-3).

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