By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Berlin, the electronic music landscape is preparing for a significant new chapter as the esteemed Peruvian-born, Berlin-based producer Sofia Kourtesis announces her inclusion in the legendary DJ-Kicks series. Set for release on March 27 via the venerable !K7 Records, this compilation marks a pivotal moment for Kourtesis, who has rapidly ascended to the forefront of the global house and techno scene. The announcement comes paired with the debut of a new single, “Los Poemas No Siempre Riman,” a collaboration with Novalima that serves as the atmospheric vanguard for a 21-track odyssey.
The DJ-Kicks series, which debuted in 1995, has long been considered a rite of passage for the world’s most influential selectors. By joining a lineage that includes the likes of Carl Craig, Moodymann, Peggy Gou, and Theo Parrish, Kourtesis is cementing her status as a tastemaker whose influence extends far beyond her own production desk. For Kourtesis, the invitation to curate a DJ-Kicks installment is more than just a professional milestone; it is a deeply personal endeavor that reflects her formative years as a listener and a fan of the craft.
In discussing the project, Kourtesis highlighted the profound impact the series has had on her artistic development. She specifically cited the 2015 contribution from DJ Koze as a cornerstone of her musical identity, noting that she revisited his mix so frequently it became part of her creative "DNA." This reverence for the past informs her approach to the present; for Kourtesis, the art of the mix is not about technical bravado or a showcase of obscure rarities for the sake of elitism. Instead, she views it as a narrative medium—a vehicle for storytelling that should prioritize emotional resonance and the element of surprise. She describes the ideal mix as a journey that offers goosebumps and unexpected shifts, moving the listener through a landscape of tension and eventual release.
The lead single, “Los Poemas No Siempre Riman” (which translates to "Poems Don’t Always Rhyme"), encapsulates this philosophy. Featuring the Afro-Peruvian electronic collective Novalima, the track is a vibrant tapestry of organic percussion and shimmering synthesizers. It is the first of four original Kourtesis compositions featured in the set, signaling that this is not merely a selection of other people’s music, but a cohesive artistic statement. The track bridges the gap between her South American heritage and the driving, melancholic house music that has defined her time in the German capital.
Kourtesis’s rise to prominence reached a fever pitch in 2023 with the release of her debut full-length album, Madres. The record was a critical darling, celebrated for its emotional transparency and its tribute to her mother’s battle with illness. It showcased her ability to weave political and personal themes into the fabric of dancefloor-ready anthems. She followed that success with the Volver EP, further refining a sound that is as much about the heart as it is about the feet. This DJ-Kicks installment feels like a natural extension of that trajectory, providing a broader look at the sonic universe that inspires her work.
The tracklist for DJ-Kicks: Sofia Kourtesis is a masterclass in curation, blending contemporary gems with timeless classics and exclusive edits. One of the most anticipated inclusions is a special "DJ-Kicks Version" of Jon Hopkins’ “Home Station.” Hopkins, a master of ambient and intricate electronic textures, provides a high-water mark for the mix’s more contemplative moments. The set also features "Flim" by Aphex Twin, an iconic piece of IDM history that underscores Kourtesis’s appreciation for the foundational architects of the genre.
Other exclusive contributions come from a diverse array of talent. Swedish producer Axel Boman brings his signature whimsical house style with "Rock Top," while French artist Myd contributes "You’re a Star," adding a touch of indie-electronica flair. The mix also highlights rising stars and established heavyweights alike, including Laurence Guy, Joy (Anonymous), and the genre-blurring Avalon Emerson. The inclusion of Nick León’s "Xtasis" (featuring DJ Babatr) and Ahadadream’s "Piano Skank" suggests a mix that is unafraid to explore the global fringes of club music, from the "Raptor House" sounds of Venezuela to the high-energy syncopation of the UK underground.
Kourtesis has described the mix as a reflection of her own internal mental state when she is behind the decks. It is a collision of disparate worlds—highs and lows, warmth and grit, and what she calls "weird little left turns." This focus on "living" music is evident in the pacing of the tracklist, which moves from the ethereal beauty of Logic1000 and Octo Octa to the driving energy of Chloé Caillet and Luke Alessi. By weaving these sounds together, Kourtesis aims to create a sense of movement that feels organic rather than programmed.
The inclusion of her own tracks, such as "It’s You," "Texas Changing," and "A Brief Look in Your Eyes," allows her to anchor the mix in her personal aesthetic. These tracks act as checkpoints, guiding the listener through the various emotional states she wishes to evoke. The collaboration with Novalima, in particular, serves as a poignant reminder of her roots, blending traditional rhythms with the forward-thinking production that has made her a mainstay on the international circuit.
As the March 27 release date approaches, anticipation is high for how Kourtesis will handle the prestige of the DJ-Kicks mantle. If her recent output is any indication, the mix will be a deeply empathetic and rhythmically adventurous experience. In an era where many DJ mixes feel like fleeting content designed for social media engagement, Kourtesis seems committed to the old-school ideal of the mix as a permanent, evolving work of art. Her goal is to create something that feels "alive," a sentiment that resonates through her description of the mix as a space where different emotions can "dance with each other."
For fans of Kourtesis and the !K7 series, this release represents a convergence of legacy and innovation. It is an invitation to step inside the mind of one of the most compelling figures in modern electronic music and to see the world through her unique, emotionally charged lens.
DJ-Kicks: Sofia Kourtesis Tracklist:
01 Jon Hopkins – Home Station (DJ-Kicks Version)
02 Aphex Twin – Flim
03 Sofia Kourtesis – It’s You
04 Cos-Ber-Zam – Ne Noya (Daphni Mix)
05 Laurence Guy – Make Me Feel Better
06 Myd – You’re a Star
07 Axel Boman – Rock Top
08 Sofia Kourtesis – Texas Changing
09 JOY (Anonymous) – JOY (Look Up Now)
10 Avalon Emerson – One More Fluorescent Rush
11 Logic1000 – Her
12 Sofia Kourtesis – A Brief Look in Your Eyes
13 Sedef Adasi – Mermaids On Acid
14 Nick León – Xtasis [ft. DJ Babatr]
15 Ahadadream – Piano Skank
16 Chloé Caillet, Luke Alessi – The One [ft. Jocelyn Brown]
17 Octo Octa – Find Your Way Home
18 DJ GTi – Santa Teresa
19 Sofia Kourtesis, Novalima – Los Poemas No Siempre Riman (DJ-Kicks)
20 Dave DK – Lagoon 69
21 ▵▯▵▿ – Ø ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌ØØ ⧖ ◌