UK Garage has been having a real moment again. The shuffled drums, the bounce, the way a solid bassline can lock a dancefloor into place—it keeps pulling people back. Into that wave steps OOTORO with “Chanel,” a track that sits right in the UK Garage lane while still carrying his own stamp.
Fresh out of Indonesia, OOTORO has built a reputation as an eclectic producer and DJ who moves comfortably between disco-tinged tech house, hard-hitting bass house, and now this garage-leaning cut. He has already put out memorable records like “Beat Like This” with Bleu Clair, the groovy “Just Like,” and “All I Need,” which found homes on labels including STMPD, Night Bass, and House Views. Club-focused tracks such as “Fishy,” “Warehouse,” and “Hit Em” landed on noir sur blanc and Terminal Underground. His music has picked up support from heavy hitters including DJ Snake, Tchami, Malaa, AC Slater, and Martin Garrix. These days he is releasing under NIGHTMODE, and “Chanel” continues that run.
What stands out with “Chanel” is the intentional move into UK Garage territory. OOTORO has described sitting down to make something in that lane and ending up with a fusion that also nods to breakbeat. That mix makes sense for where the genre sits right now. Modern UK Garage often feels a bit tougher and more aggressive in the low end than the warmer 90s originals, while still keeping the characteristic swing and shuffle. The result is music that works both in the club and on playlists that lean into the current garage revival.
OOTORO’s background helps explain why the track lands the way it does. Coming from South-East Asia and carving out space in a scene that is still heavily shaped by UK and European sounds takes consistency and a clear ear. He has already shown he can deliver floor-focused records that travel, and “Chanel” feels like another step in showing range rather than repeating a single formula. The production stays focused on groove and energy—the kind of track that rewards a good system and a room that wants to move.
UK Garage’s current run is interesting because it keeps pulling in new listeners while still speaking to people who grew up on the earlier wave. Producers who can bring their own background into that sound without losing the core bounce are part of what keeps it fresh. OOTORO’s take fits that pattern: rooted enough to feel connected to the genre, personal enough that it does not sound like a pure pastiche.
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“Chanel” is out now via NIGHTMODE. Give it a spin and see how the UK Garage and breakbeat elements sit together. What do you think of this direction from OOTORO? Drop your thoughts in the comments—always good to hear how these tracks are landing with people.
