UK dance music standout Sammy Virji has surprised fans with Open Late, a new eight-track album released October 21 at 9 p.m. BST. Created on the road and shaped by the energy of the dancefloor, the project captures the sounds, spontaneity, and late-night experiences that have defined his past year performing around the world.
Marking his first collection of original solo music since his 2025 LP Same Day Cleaning, Open Late offers a snapshot of an artist constantly moving between cities, stages, and studios. Much of the album came together between shows, with ideas developing in green rooms, hotel rooms, planes, and taxis as Virji traveled internationally. Instead of stepping away from club culture to create the record, he brought the experience of performing and being part of a crowd directly into the music.
“The whole idea of the album is that it’s a journey through what it’s like to be at the club when I’m playing. There are certain elements in the records like weird key changes and moments in the breakdowns that are supposed to mimic live moments in my sets,” Virji explains.
That connection between the studio and the dancefloor is particularly clear on “Repeaty,” one of the album’s central tracks. Virji created the record shortly before his back-to-back set with Fred again.. in Chicago last November, then played it out for the first time that same night. The moment reflects the spontaneous approach behind Open Late, where ideas developed on the road quickly become part of the live experience.
Across its eight tracks, the album moves through a range of club-focused sounds while maintaining the infectious grooves that have become a hallmark of Virji’s music. “Crazy Funky” and “Light Work” bring funk-driven energy to the collection, while “Diggy,” “Rising Raider,” and “Ode to Todd” further explore the record’s varied production palette.
The project also features a select group of collaborators. Joy Anonymous and Wet appear on “Letter Blue,” while Hans Glader joins Virji on “La Belle.” Their contributions add new dimensions to the album without taking it away from its central focus: creating music that translates directly to the club.
The surprise release arrives during another significant year for Virji, whose blend of UK garage, bassline, and forward-thinking club music has carried him onto major stages around the world. Through international festival appearances, high-profile collaborations, and headline performances, he continues to expand his reach beyond the UK while connecting dance music audiences across continents.
With Open Late, Virji channels that momentum into a project built around the feeling of being in the room. From the anticipation before a drop to unexpected changes in a track and the collective energy of a packed dancefloor, the album draws on the moments that make a night out memorable.
Born from life on the road, Open Late brings together the sounds and experiences that have shaped Sammy Virji’s recent sets. The result is a club-focused collection that offers listeners a closer look at his musical world right now, capturing the spontaneity of the dancefloor in a format made to keep the night moving.
Sammy Virji: TikTok | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | SoundCloud