He gave fans 90 minutes’ notice at a London pop-up. Joy Anonymous, Wet and Hans Glader feature, and the album closes with a tribute to Todd Edwards.
Sammy Virji released a surprise album, ‘Open Late’, on Oct 21. He announced it at a pop-up at 93 Feet East in London and told the crowd it would arrive in 90 minutes, EDM.com reports. The eight-track album features Joy Anonymous, Wet and Hans Glader, according to DJ Mag. It lands as the UK garage DJ pauses his North American tour to play Amsterdam Dance Event this week.
What is on Sammy Virji’s Open Late
Virji describes the record as a night at one of his sets. “The whole idea of the album is that it’s a journey through what it’s like to be at the club when I’m playing,” he said in a statement quoted by DJ Mag. He added that “weird key changes and moments in the breakdowns” are meant to mimic live moments.
The album opens with “Repeaty,” EDM.com reports. Later, “Letter Blue” reunites him with Joy Anonymous, with vocals from Wet. “La Belle” brings back Hans Glader, who also appeared on Virji’s 2020 debut, ‘Spice Up My Life’. Then “Rising Raider” turns darker and draws on late-1990s speed garage.
Finally, the closing track, “Ode to Todd,” nods to the house producer Todd Edwards. It uses chopped vocal samples and warm organ chords in his style, EDM.com says. ‘Open Late’ follows Virji’s 2025 album ‘Same Day Cleaning’, DJ Mag notes.
How the surprise release worked
Beyond the London pop-up, Virji used an Instagram Story to reach fans elsewhere. A link gave them a virtual “admit-one” ticket with the album art, a serial number and a countdown, EDM.com reports. When the timer hit zero, the ticket opened a live listening room with video and chat.
Virji self-released the album, according to Beatportal and its Apple Music listing. It is out now on Spotify and Apple Music.
From Red Rocks to Amsterdam
The release caps a busy month. On Oct 16, Virji headlined Red Rocks, in what EDM.com says was billed as the venue’s first UK garage headline show.
Now he heads to ADE. First, he plays back-to-back with Mochakk at The Loft on Friday, Oct 23. Then comes Sammy Virji Curates at Gashouder on Saturday, Oct 24, according to DJ Mag. After Amsterdam, he returns to Vancouver to resume his tour. For more of the week’s parties, see our ADE 2026 guide.
Sources: Sammy Virji’s surprise release and statement, as reported by DJ Mag (Oct 21); EDM.com, Oct 22; Beatportal; Open Late on Spotify; Open Late on Apple Music; artist channels: X @sammy_virji, Instagram @sammyvirji
Image: Artist press photo (credit not stated; via DJ Mag)
