Review: Work Out Hard to "Wet Tennis" by SOFI TUKKER

The opening track on the new album by SOFI TUKKER is called "Kakee," and immediately sets the tone and pace for an experience that is as relentless as we've come to expect from the duo.

Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern come out the gate with a beat that is reminiscent of the '60s exploitation film soundtracks (imagine "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!") that pushed the envelope and were singularly intended to rile up the audience. The pair have always taken that sort of perspective when it came to their music, often thumbing their nose at convention and defying expectation.

It's clear on their latest full-length release, "Wet Tennis," the creative team didn't stay idle during the last two years of COVID-19 quarantine. The nightlife club circuit tribe that they dominate and the summer music festival events that they commonly headline were put on hold, but they took to the world wide web to experiment with new riffs and music. Many of the tracks on the setlist were inspired by fan reaction, yielding to some very exciting results. SOFI TUKKER doesn't shy away from suggesting that "Wet Tennis" is very much an album for the fans, by the fans.

The album's lead single, "Original Sin," takes a conventional approach to its rhythm section and wins over the beat with an acceleration that is promoted by catchy hooks and vocal play. The pared-down production is beguiling, opening the door for "Summer In New York" (which has a familiar opening bit that will be very familiar with the dance floor dedicated). The beats per minute ramp up, and if your pulse rate doesn't, then you just have to sit tight! You won't have very long to wait. The album's title track, "Wet Tennis," has a triumphant trumpet section that is glorious!

We're suddenly transported back to the desert, with the top down and the fuzz hot in pursuit for the track "Sun Came Up" featuring John Summit, which gave the group the third #1 on Billboard's Dance Airplay. This hit is sure to bring them out this summer. The duo continue to raise the stakes with the track "Larry Bird" (featuring Tucker's Dad), which has a Brazilian feel that is near-explosive. After the very emotive, guitar-driven "Interlude," the setlist moves into high gear, perfectly timing the intensity. It's very clear when the party has kicked in.

The ambient sounds of "Hold" have a thrillingly disorienting appeal that spins out like a scene out of "Euphoria"; the track is the most memorizing of the offerings, with a vocal reproduction that is certain to guarantee its place as the Summer's Best Anthem. "Wet Tennis" slips into a very hot Euro-feel on its way out of the door, with the album wrapping up with an ethereal, trip-happy remake of the "What a Wonderful World," rounding out an experience that is worth repeating again and again. Get warmed up and work out that hard swing; SOFI TUKKER and "Wet Tennis" are a formidable match, indeed.

"Wet Tennis" is available on Digital for $9.99.