Iowa City-based producer/vocalist Jim Swim crafts wavy and warm hip-hop that snaps with substance. Swim’s songs unwind like good conversation, moving from the everyday to the abstract, the personal to the universal, with honesty and ease. A lyricist first and foremost, Swim doesn’t shy away from depth, but he also makes bops. There’s a sense of play that pops up even on more serious cuts. His sound draws on influences ranging from the wonky, lo-fi grooves of Madlib and Dilla, to the shinier synth-driven bounce of Pomo or Kaytranada (especially when working with frequent collaborator Blookah). His infectious beats, unique flow, and memorable lyrics have earned him an underground following that continues to grow.