Sweat, chaos, love and inclusivity.
Sofi Tukker is the multi-linguistic, electronic duo consisting of members Sofia Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern. With only one full-length record, their newest EP, DANCING ON THE PEOPLE is welcomed content. In their newest project, they blend elements of funk, house, dance and pop to create an exceptional rendition of what EDM means to them.
DANCING ON THE PEOPLE, consisting of only six songs, holds some of the duo’s best work to date. Because of its brevity, it’s a project with limitless replayability. Every song from the EP could have been released as individual singles as they all convey a different interpretation of dance. It’s a project with international appeal, similar to their debut record Treehouse. “Playa Grande” uses Latin percussion and features the Columbian dance duo Bomba Estereo, “Swing” balances theatrical, orchestral crescendos with sinister bouncing bass lines and “Fantasy” is a track that offers a contemporary take on the classic ‘90s euro-dance sound.
While “Playa Grande” and “Like This” utilizes arpeggiating guitars, four-to-the-floor kick drums and sparkling choruses to invite listeners to dance, the seemingly moodier cuts stand out most on the record. “Purple Hat” seems to be the representative track from the project as it plays out like a compilation of all Tukker’s influences. The song contains southern, drawling guitars and warped, chanting vocals that the EP’s title was derived from. It’s representative of vibrant nightlife, sweat, chaos and love, all variables that benefit the dance floor community.
The EP is short and sweet, making the listener savor every intentional detail that Sofi Tukker has put into the project. It’s an eclectic record with consistently varying sounds and production techniques, but somehow it retains a sort of uniformity. The theme is clear from the beginning—inclusivity. These songs are for the world, not for any particular, selected audience.
DANCING ON THE PEOPLE is both a project and an experience. Its steadily morphing and evolving sound can be valued at home or in the club, and Sofi Tukker’s affinity for neon lights, unruly mosh pits and high-octane performances are perfectly represented in this six-song EP.