Positive Energy: How Jamback Became House Music's Biggest Breakthrough of 2026
The Dutch house music producer who went from Amsterdam's underground to Beatport number one. Jamback's rise in 2026 is the story you need to read.
There are artists who talk about breaking through, and then there are artists who simply do it. Jamback, the Dutch DJ and producer born Jake Schensema from Moordrecht in the Netherlands, belongs firmly to the second category. With a remarkable run of releases, a packed touring schedule, and one of the most talked about tracks in the underground house scene right now, Jamback is making a compelling case for being the name to know in 2026.
From Guitarist to House Music Force
Jamback's relationship with music began at a young age as a classically trained guitarist. That musical foundation gave him an ear for melody and structure that would later set him apart in the world of electronic music. With a background in guitar and a love of everything from soul to jazz, he considers himself more of a songwriter than a producer, though he also immerses himself deeply in sound design. It is a combination that gives his house music a warmth and humanity that many producers struggle to achieve.
His transition into the world of electronic music grew out of visiting music venues in surrounding towns and cities, and from that journey, Jamback was born. What followed was years of quiet, dedicated refinement before the wider world began to take serious notice.
Building His Name in Amsterdam's Underground
The story of how Jamback embedded himself within one of Europe's most respected house music communities is one he tells with characteristic good humour. He describes his entry into Amsterdam's thriving house underground as something he essentially partied his way into, becoming a core figure in that scene organically. It is a trajectory familiar to many of the genre's most authentic artists, where the love of the music comes first and the career follows naturally.
His debut solo release on PIV in 2022 made a firm impact, followed by further explorations of sleek, rolling, and intricate minimal house music through labels including Hot Creations and Eastenderz. These releases helped him establish credibility across the genre and introduced him to audiences well beyond the Netherlands. He became a key figure at EASTENDERZ events and regularly performed at top venues including Fabric in London and Colorado Charlie in Scheveningen.
His 2025 track "Can't Resist" proved to be a significant moment, picked up and championed by figures such as Jamie Jones at UNVRS and the influential SlapFunk crew in Amsterdam.
Positive: A Track Born From Loss
No discussion of Jamback in 2026 is complete without addressing the release that changed everything. "Positive," released via CircoLoco Records in November 2025, fuses raw emotion with club ready energy, with a deeply personal story sitting beneath its hypnotic groove.
The track was shaped by the loss of his mother and, in Jamback's own words, reflected his need to turn that pain into movement, describing it as a journey through grief and rough edges, but also ultimately a release and a source of joy.
Driven by a gritty bassline and a bubbling synth motif, "Positive" is equal parts functional and cathartic, built for large sound systems yet infused with genuine soul. Its tension and release structure became one of the most discussed elements in underground house circles throughout the year.
Originally circulating as an underground ID, the track was picked up by DJs around the world, with Chris Stussy opening his first Coachella 2025 set with it, alongside further support from Marco Carola, Jamie Jones, East End Dubs, Sidney Charles, and Toman. It debuted at number one on Beatport, cementing Jamback's status as one of the most exciting names in modern house music.
A Global Stage and What Comes Next
After completing more than 150 shows throughout 2025, Jamback has spoken about wanting to find more time to simply do nothing in 2026, recognising that creative space and mental stillness are as important as productivity in the studio. It's a thoughtful perspective that speaks to the maturity behind his music.
His upcoming schedule includes performances in Mumbai, London, Ibiza, Swansea, and Glasgow, among others, reflecting a touring footprint that now stretches across multiple continents. DJ Mag named him among its artists to watch in 2026, placing him alongside some of the most compelling emerging voices in contemporary electronic music.
His music bridges the underground Dutch house sound with CircoLoco Records' sleek global aesthetic, embodying a shared ethos of raw energy and honesty that defines both the artist and the label.
Why Jamback Matters for House Music Right Now
In a genre that is always hunting for its next significant voice, Jamback represents something genuinely valuable: an artist who combines technical precision with emotional intelligence, whose music connects on a dancefloor because it was first connected to something deeply human. The story of "Positive" alone illustrates this perfectly. A track conceived in grief became a rallying anthem for tens of thousands of dancers across the globe, which is precisely what the best house music has always done.
With multiple Beatport number one releases, consistent support from the scene's biggest names, and a sound that balances precision with emotional depth, Jamback continues to push from the underground toward global stages. If 2025 was the year the world began to pay attention, 2026 looks set to be the year it fully arrives.
