Wet Tennis＜Picture Vinyl＞

Four years after the release of their Grammy-nominated debut, New York-based dance music duo Sofi Tukker issued their sophomore album, Wet Tennis. Even more effective than their breakthrough, this addictive offering from Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern is nourishing, soulful, and confident, totally trimmed of fat while sparing none of the pulsating, sensual energy that made them an international sensation in the late 2010s. A big part of that global appeal sprang from Hawley-Welds use of Portuguese, as on early single "Drinkee," and she was wise to continue on Wet Tennis standouts "Kakee" and "Mon Cheri." When shes swapping verses with Halpern, the call-and-response party atmosphere is amplified further, like on the slinky and stylish throbber "Original Sin" and the rollicking Fatboy Slim-channeling "Freak." Custom-designed to get bodies moving, the summer-friendly set includes crowd-pleasers such as the festival-sized house anthems "Sun Came Up" with Chicago DJ John Summit and "Hold" with former tourmates BOII, as well as the duos greatest bid for a radio crossover hit yet, "Summer in New York," a breezy slice of the city that interpolates Suzanne Vegas iconic uptown ode "Toms Diner." Meanwhile, they expand their sonic scope with flourishes of booming jazz-funk ("Wet Tennis"), bass-driven worldbeat (the aforementioned "Mon Cheri" with beloved Malian duo Amadou & Mariam), and sweeping violin (the gorgeous, Lindsey Stirling-esque "Forgive Me" featuring Turkish producer Mahmut Orhan). Not just an escapist pleasure, Wet Tennis is a lasting statement that shines with pop-savvy expertise and marks a significant step forward in Sofi Tukkers musical growth. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

ウルトラのレーベル部門から飛び出したパーティー・デュオの約4年ぶりとなる2作目は実にヴァラエティー豊か。抑揚控えめなトラック上で二人の掛け合いがクセになる先行カット"Original Sin"、同門のプロデューサーであるマフムト・オルハンを迎えて制作された〈泣き〉のトラックをソフィーのヴォーカルが歌い上げる"Forgive Me"、ジョン・サミットの本領が発揮されたセツナ系トランス"Sun Came Up"、アマドゥ&マリアムを迎えてエキゾチックなパーティー・チューンに仕上げた"Mon Cheri"などなど、ゲストや客演陣の彩りに加え、トラックの幅も格段に広がっている。それでもアルバム全体が散漫な印象にならないのは、やはり二人のブレないパーソナリティーがあればこそだろう。
bounce (C)野村有正