GRAMMY-nominated duo SOFI TUKKER’s new album ‘butter’ celebrates Brazilian culture, serving as a jazz-infused companion piece to their acclaimed 2024 album ‘BREAD,’ offering fans a fresh perspective on the duo’s versatile sound.
Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, the creative forces behind SOFI TUKKER, have crafted ‘butter’ as the culmination of a decade-long creative journey. The seeds were planted with their collaboration with The Knocks on the track “Brazilian Soul” which opened the door for deeper exploration of the Bossa nova sonic universe that had already begun to influence their signature electronic sound.
Recorded entirely in Brazil, ‘butter’ explores Brazilian genres including MPB, bossa nova, and samba, while also incorporating Latin genres like bolero and bachata, alongside contemporary styles such as reggae and samba-reggae. With its breezy atmosphere, ‘butter’ features SOFI TUKKER collaborating with renowned Brazilian musicians and using almost entirely organic elements, creating a striking contrast to their typical dance/EDM productions.
SOFI TUKKER’s journey began at Brown University in 2014, where Hawley-Weld and Halpern first formed their musical partnership. The duo quickly gained recognition with their debut EP ‘Soft Animals’ in 2016, which included the breakout hit “Drinkee.” This track, an adaptation of a poem by Brazilian poet Chacal, earned them their first GRAMMY nomination and established their reputation for blending global influences with electronic dance music.
Their debut album ‘Treehouse’ followed in 2018, earning them another GRAMMY nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Throughout their career, SOFI TUKKER has maintained a commitment to musical exploration, incorporating multiple languages and instruments into their productions. Their song “Best Friend” gained widespread attention when it was featured in an Apple iPhone X commercial in 2017, further cementing their place in popular culture.
The first single “Bread (butter version)”, which features Brazilian icon Seu Jorge, is a collaboration which highlights the duo’s commitment to working with authentic voices from the cultures they draw inspiration from. To document the creation process, SOFI TUKKER has produced a short-form docuseries, with the first episode already available.
‘butter’ also features reimagined versions of key tracks from ‘BREAD,’ including “Throw Some Ass,” “Woof,” “Hey Homie,” and “Spiral.” This approach allows fans to experience familiar songs through a new lens, showcasing the versatility of the duo’s compositions when translated into different musical contexts.
The duo has also ventured into fashion with their clothing imprint WET TENNIS and served as the face of G-STAR RAW’s colorful denim campaign. Their collaboration with PLUS1 in 2024 raised significant funds for The Un-Endangered Forest and Trees For Life, demonstrating their commitment to environmental causes.
A highlight of their 2025 calendar will be a special “butter” set at the iconic Newport Jazz Festival where they’ll showcase their new jazz-infused sound in a fitting venue. Their international tour includes stops at major festivals like Lollapalooza Berlin, Electric Castle in Romania, and Tomorrowland in Belgium. The duo has also secured a residency in Las Vegas with dates at various Wynn Nightlife properties throughout the year.
Their ability to seamlessly blend electronic dance music with global influences has positioned them at an exciting crossroads. With ‘butter,’ SOFI TUKKER continues to push boundaries and defy expectations, introducing their fans to a new dimension of their artistry while staying true to the joyful, inclusive spirit that has defined their career.