The wait is finally over as John Summit releases his debut album CTRL ESCAPE via Experts Only / Darkroom Records – and it is every bit the statement piece fans have been waiting for.
At its core, CTRL ESCAPE is about breaking free. Summit describes the record as an escape from the grind of corporate expectations and from being boxed into a single sound. True to that spirit, he pushes well beyond his signature tech house roots, blending in dubstep, drum & bass, and melodic electronics. The result is a dynamic ride that flips between massive festival energy and more personal, introspective moments. Summit shared his enthusiasm with fans on Instagram saying: “I’m just super grateful for this all.”
The 13-track project finds Summit reflecting on his rapid ascent in dance music while fully embracing his next role as one of the scene’s most in-demand names. Featuring collaborations with artists including Feid, The Chainsmokers, and Julia Wolf, the record spans a broad spectrum of electronic influences, avoiding any single stylistic lane. January’s lead single ‘Lights Out’ offered a glimpse into this evolution, moving past his house and tech house origins toward a more wide-ranging sonic direction. 
On the new album Summit shares ‘Shades of Blue,’ a standout track on the album, joining forces with Devault and Julia Church. The result is a high-impact, emotionally charged cut made for main-stage moments. Leading up to the release of the overall album, Summit built serious hype with unforgettable live moments, including a sold-out open-to-close set at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, pop-up activations in Los Angeles and New York, plus major stage takeovers at Ultra Music Festival and Coachella’s Do LaB.
While CNTRL ESCAPE explores a wider sound spectrum, it also leans into more accessible moments, particularly on tracks like ‘MESS W/ ME’ with Nija, a 2023 Grammy-nominated songwriter known for her work with artists like Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Chris Brown.
The release lands in the middle of a packed global schedule for the American DJ and record producer following a main stage closing set at Ultra and ahead of a summer that includes his Experts Only residency at [UNVRS] Ibiza from 1 June, as well as appearances across both weekends of Tomorrowland in Belgium.
Listen to CTRL ESCAPE, out now via Experts Only/Darkroom Records:
