Sofia Kourtesis - “Madres”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 8

Pairs Well With…Avalon Emerson, Lido Pimienta, Floating Points

Equal parts haunting and hopeful, Sofia Kourtesis’ debut record Madres is a blend of dance, Latin pop, and experimental electronic genres crafted in smooth hands. While pulling from different spaces and clearly crafting an experimental space, Kourtesis’ music is also cool and groovy. That easy lounge atmosphere makes her explorations more freeing than grating. There’s warmness in Kourtesis’ production that fits the dreamy nature of her dance-pop directions as well, eschewing banging melodies for chilled out soundscapes. Excursions aside, Madres comes down to deep trance beats that keep Madres grounded track to track. From there, detailed synths and percussion give Kourtesis’ songs extra life as they point to futuristic themes combined with classic pop melodies. (Kevin McStravick)