Swiimers might have been the first dreampop band that I heard back when they were Ultra High Frequency. And Swiimers’ self-titled EP was the only extended release we got from the band outside of singles. I thought the band went entirely silent, but I found out that the band had singles in 2022. Now in 2025, Swiimers High marks the band’s first full length.
The band tags themselves as dreampop, noise pop, shoegazing, and trip hop. And where Swiimers sit is the intersection of all these styles. I’d say at the core, the band is dreampop. Depending on the track, you’ll hear other styles woven throughout the melodies. But the most surprising thing is that Swiimers High follows their 2016 EP very naturally.
Presenting “MOMMY” as the main single was smart because it’s the perfect introduction. Then releasing videos from “Erika” and “Swiimers High” offers a quick three-song set that shows off the band as a complete statement. The songs are different angles of Swiimers’ music.
And there are still outliers, like “Neon Blue.” It’s a step outside of the base that the band established. Instrumentals lean more into indie rock mixed with modern rock (another Bandcamp tag). “Neon Blue” carries the same energy with a different presentation. Less effects and post-processing allow the track to feel like a break from the shoegaze and dreampop waves.
While Swiimers dreampop sound is why I wanted to listen to Swiimers High, the expanded sound and exploration in the middle of the album prove that the band continues to grow. I would have been fine with 12 dreampop songs. But “Ice & Fire” reset expectations.
After listening through Swiimers High and noting the older singles that return in a 2025 version, Swiimers is a band in transition. The songs highlight different times. There’s self-titled EP Swiimers, the three singles from 2018 and 2022, and this 2025-era Swiimers. They’re all connected with a strong line, highlighting the band’s unique and addictive sound. And also showing growth into a new chapter.
Regardless of whether the band stops or takes another 10 years for their next full length, Swiimers High is a timeless album that doesn’t attach itself to trends or popularity. It’s definitely one of the best albums of 2025.
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Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.
