The UK Garage Revival
#DisclosureSettle celebrates the Lawrence brothers’ debut album Settle (June 2013), which single-handedly revived UK garage for a new generation and redefined electronic dance music’s relationship with soul vocals.
Latch & White Noise Phenomenon
“Latch” (feat. Sam Smith, October 2012) introduced the world to both Disclosure’s deep house sound and Sam Smith’s voice, reaching #11 UK Singles Chart before Smith’s solo career exploded. “White Noise” (feat. AlunaGeorge, February 2013) hit #2 UK and became a festival anthem.
Settle debuted at #1 UK Albums Chart, won Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album, and spawned five Top 40 UK singles.
Sound & Influence
Disclosure fused 1990s UK garage/2-step rhythms with modern house production, soulful guest vocals (Jessie Ware, Jamie Woon, London Grammar), and bass-heavy club energy. The album’s success inspired a wave of UK producers (Gorgon City, Duke Dumont, Route 94) and legitimized garage’s return to mainstream consciousness.
Legacy & Caracal Era
Follow-up Caracal (2015) featured The Weeknd, Lorde, Miguel, and Sam Smith reunion (“Omen”). While more polished, it reinforced Disclosure’s status as electronic music’s premier vocalist curators.
Their 2020 album Energy returned to their underground roots after mainstream success.
Cultural Impact
- Sam Smith launchpad: “Latch” was Smith’s breakout before “Stay With Me”
- Festival headliners: Coachella, Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds 2013-2016
- Grammy nominations: 2 nominations (2014, 2016)
- UK garage renaissance: Sparked genre revival commercially