Peggy Gou comes of age with a highly enjoyable release that crosses over from underground sensation to mainstream consciousness. Criss crossing across genres, Peggy Gou’s latest release has an undeniable feel-good factor full of positive energy that will get people releasing their inner dancer.
As a child, Peggy Gou was a rebel by nature. Her rowdy non-conformist behavior and school failures led her conventional South Korean parents to send her to London at 15 to learn English. Further failures at fashion school - ‘I’m only good at styling myself so I had to quit that’ - led to the discovery of a new passion that would become an obsession: electronic rave and music production.
Breaking the K-Pop Mold
With Resident Advisor as her bible, this journey would take her from London to Berlin, where exploring nightclubs such as Berghain and working in record stores opened her ears to a whole new plethora of sonic euphoria and musical expression. It was during this period that her vision to break the K-Pop mold and become South Korea’s first ‘rave’ artist began to grow. She began producing her own music, and her early tracks, such as "Hungboo" and "Six O Six," released in 2016, received critical acclaim. During this period, Gou’s music was characterized by deep house grooves, melodic synths, and a blend of techno and acid house elements.
This album is the next step in Peggy’s evolution as an artist. Inspired by classic tracks such as ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’, the sonic palette is one that searches to recreate that feel good euphoria from a bygone era. You know - the kind of powerful 90’s electronic anthems that made you feel big and powerful, excited about a new world where technology and culture were pushing towards something liberating and different.
Modern Anthems
“1 + 1 = 11” is the standout hit on the album - one to be played loud and proud. A co-production with Norwegian artists Olafur Eliasson, it epitomizes Peggy’s desire to create timeless music that makes you feel good and want to dance. Soaring synths combine with brilliant melodies for a modern interpretation of 90s anthems that will sound fresh eternally.
It Goes Like Na Na Na
Another hit is “(It goes like) Na Na Na”. Of all the tracks on the album, this is the one where you really feel her personality - cheeky and extremely infectious, it is full of positive energy. The lyrics are memorable and you will find yourself subconsciously singing along to this one whether you like it or not.
Lenny Kravitz Collab
Keeping it 90’s, “I believe in Love Again” is a collaboration between Peggy Gou and Lenny Kravitz. The track is a strong message for hope and positivity. Peggy recently stated that studio time with Kravitz transformed the track into magic, his R&B vocals and guitar rhythms blending perfectly with Peggy’s house and rave scene influences.
A Musical Global Citizen
Seoulsi Peggygou (서울시페기구) makes you really understand that Peggy Gou is a global citizen, her music embracing the various cultures that she has lived in. UK jungle rhythms weave together with oriental strings for a track that will take you on a rave journey around the world. Another track combining oriental with western influences is ‘I go’. This time, Peggy layers Korean vocals over house instrumentals for a well balanced groover.
Peggy Gou’s rise to superstardom will always divide opinion. Yet for me, I was genuinely surprised at how catchy and enjoyable this album actually is. Yes, it doesn’t break any new boundaries musically, but by tastefully recomposing classic sounds in a style that is distinctly her own, Peggy has captured the spirit of the 90s, added her own flavor and created tracks that will stand the test of time.