“Up Next” Artist Review – Sofi Tukker

By Roxy Augeri

With their new single “Emergency” hitting the airwaves, it’s time to discuss Sofi Tukker, the electronic pop duo that took VIC by storm last year. This duo is composed of Sofie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, who met while Hawley-Weld was playing at an art gallery at Brown University in 2014. The duo was able to merge their solo talents to create their signature sound and harness their musical creativity. Most tracks feature a mix of vocals from both Hawley-Weld and Halpern, paired with a strong rhythmic baseline. Other add-ins like cowbells, horns, and sometimes even different languages also spice up their tracks. 

Since the pair has merged, they have earned a number of recognitions. Their hit song “Drinkee” was nominated for a Grammy in 2017 in the “Best Dance Recording” category. Their music has also been featured on many ad campaigns: “Purple Hat” has been used to usher in Peloton’s latest bike, both “Best Friend” and “Bats**t” have been used in numerous Apple commercials, as well as “Johny” and “Swing” being featured on versions of EA’s “FIFA” video game.

As an avid EDM listener, I was pleasantly surprised at how they were able to put their own funky twist on a genre that is oversaturated with up and coming artists trying to find their sound. In an era where people can make whatever they want on their computer and pass it as music, there’s a lot to choose from. This genre can often get mundane, as it’s hard to find an original sound when so many DJs have already patented a certain sound. However, Sofi Tukker has a unique energy that can’t be compared to any other artists. If you were to put this on in a club, it would be instantly recognizable. 

My personal favorite song from the duo, “Best Friend,” can be found on their album “Tree House,” which was released in 2018. I’m a sucker for a good horn section and this groove has so many unique aspects that it’s hard not to bob your head to every beat. Other honorable mentions would be VIC’s personal favorite “Purple Hat” for a good car jam, “Mi Rumba” for a great dance beat, and “Bats**t” and “F**k They” for a more traditional head banging electronic song. Another super fun project the duo has participated in to check out is their song “When the Rona’s Over” written as part of a 24-hour music challenge presented by Triple J in Australia called Quaratune. 

Overall, this is the type of music you put on in your house or your car when you’re alone to have a hardcore jumping up and down dance break. Sofi Tukker has mastered the art of creating a strong rhythm without making it feel too hardcore and unapproachable. The nice thing about this music is that it’s not something I would be embarrassed to put on in the car with my friends, which I usually find is the case with some electronic music. 4.3 stars out of 5.