Disclosure — a British electronic duo of brothers Guy (Guy Lawrence) and Howard (Howard Lawrence) from Reigate, Surrey. Their name has become synonymous with modern UK house/garage infused with pop sensibility, strong songcraft, and a live club-ready sound. Disclosure are one of the key bridges between the UK’s underground dance scene and the global mainstream of the 2010s–2020s.
Early years and formation
The brothers grew up in a musical family and played in school bands from their teens. Howard’s love for jazz, funk, and soul met Guy’s passion for the rhythms of UK garage, 2-step, and early house. Their first releases arrived in the late 2000s and early 2010s: remixes and mini-EPs with a signature springy swing, crisp drums, and warm bass.
Breakthrough: Settle (2013)
The debut album Settle became a cultural marker for UK garage’s “return” to pop radio. Disclosure’s calling card is building each track around a vocal song rather than just a groove.
Key singles from the era:
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“Latch” (feat. Sam Smith) — a global hit and the launchpad for Sam Smith’s career;
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“White Noise” (w/ AlunaGeorge) — a benchmark club track with heavy rotation;
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“You & Me” (feat. Eliza Doolittle) — a festival-stage anthem (including Flume’s remix).
Settle received multiple nominations at major awards and cemented the duo as festival headliners.
Leveling up: Caracal (2015)
The second album Caracal shifted toward a darker, more cinematic R&B-pop without losing its dance foundations. Notable collaborations:
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“Omen” (feat. Sam Smith) — a continuation of their flagship partnership;
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“Magnets” (feat. Lorde) — a hit with icy drama and that unmistakable bass;
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“Holding On” (feat. Gregory Porter) — a stellar blend of soul and club drive.
Back to roots, new palette: 2018–2020
After a brief pause, Disclosure returned with a run of singles and EPs, refreshing their palette with African and Latin flavors, hip-hop energy, and more “live” percussion. The album Energy (2020) confirmed the direction — a tracklist rich in momentum and eclecticism, from halftime to high-tempo house.
Introverted renewal: Alchemy (2023)
Howard’s songwriting/production ambitions and Guy’s perfectionism converged on the more intimate, less “feature-driven” release Alchemy. Center stage goes to sound design, sampling, and Howard’s vocals rather than a parade of guests. The record underscores the duo’s maturity: moving confidently from festival anthems to personal, textural works without losing their recognizable spring-loaded groove.
Stage and live formats
Disclosure perform in two primary formats:
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DJ sets featuring their own material and narrative club flow;
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Live shows — a hybrid of drum machines, samplers, synths, Howard’s vocals, live percussion, and visual production (LEDs, droplet-style lighting, rhythmic strobes). At major festivals, their setlists follow a song-driven arc — cathartic moments like “Latch,” “White Noise,” and “You & Me,” plus new tracks in refreshed arrangements.
Style and production
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Rhythm section: elastic 2-step/garage pulse with swing and a walking bass feel.
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Harmony: soul/R&B-tinged colors, minor-major shadings, and “night-neon” moods.
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Vocal & hook: clear verse/chorus song form with powerful hooks, often female/falsetto leads contrasting the tight rhythms.
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Sound design: clean, “dry” drums, glassy synths, articulated subs; meticulous mixing where every element snaps into place.
Key tracks & collaborations (selection)
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“Latch” (feat. Sam Smith)
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“White Noise” (w/ AlunaGeorge)
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“You & Me” (feat. Eliza Doolittle)
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“Omen” (feat. Sam Smith)
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“Magnets” (feat. Lorde)
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“Holding On” (feat. Gregory Porter)
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Later — runs of singles and collabs with artists from hip-hop, R&B, and the Afropop sphere.
Core discography
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Settle (2013)
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Caracal (2015)
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Energy (2020)
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Alchemy (2023)
(+ EPs and standalone singles across the years)
Awards & achievements (in brief)
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Multiple nominations at major international awards (including GRAMMY/BRIT).
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Platinum/Gold certifications for key releases.
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Festival headlining slots and consistent Top-10 showings in European charts.
Impact and influence
Disclosure have shown that dance music with club roots can stay true to the underground while thriving on the world’s biggest stages. Their influence echoes across a generation of producers who fuse song-forward writing with club momentum. Thanks to their knack for refreshing their palette and treating vocals with care, the duo continues to set the bar for crossover electronic music.
