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Riordan and Locky Debut on Darkroom Records With 'Friction'

Published Aug 29, 2026 By Matt White
Riordan and Locky Debut on Darkroom Records With 'Friction'

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TL;DR

UK underground producers Riordan and Locky have released Friction on Darkroom Records, a collaboration blending house music structures with UK garage rhythms. The track emphasizes intricate percussion, groove, and texture over commercial bombast, reflecting both artists' reputations for sophisticated production work rooted in British club culture.

UK Underground Convergence

Riordan and Locky have released Friction, a new collaboration on Darkroom Records that merges their distinct production approaches. Both producers have built reputations in the UK underground over the past couple of years, with Riordan known for technically precise work balanced with dancefloor sensibility, while Locky has established himself blurring lines between UK and European influences.

House Foundations Meet Garage Rhythms

The track draws from house music's structural foundations while incorporating the rhythmic complexity and soulful undertones of UK garage. Built on creative tension, Friction features intricate percussion programming characteristic of the UK's most innovative producers. Rather than leaning into bombastic energy, the single prioritizes groove and texture—the kind of detail that rewards both peak-time club moments and close headphone listening.

Underground Credibility

Darkroom Records has positioned itself as a quality-focused imprint with credibility among serious dance music enthusiasts. The label's roster reflects a commitment to artistic integrity over algorithmic playlist chasing, making it a fitting home for a collaboration that refuses to compromise on nuance.

Friction represents both producers stepping outside their individual comfort zones to create something neither could have achieved alone. The release arrives as a counterpoint to festival-driven trends, demonstrating that thoughtful, detail-oriented dance music still commands space in the UK's dynamic club culture.

Matt White

Matt White

EDM Source Editor

Reporting on the latest in the electronic dance music community with verified accuracy.

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