With so many dancefloor anthems already under her belt, it’s hard to believe that I Hear You is Peggy Gou’s debut album. The South Korean-born singer, producer and DJ has risen to undeniable prominence amongst the house music scene and beyond, with her upcoming festival appearances including Glastonbury and Primavera Sounds.
The 10 tracks on I Hear You are reflective of Gou’s signature sound – bright, carefree and 90’s house inspired. Featuring singles “I Go”, “(It Goes Like) Nanana” and “Lobster Telephone”, the album proves Gou is a master of traversing from springy synth jams to the best kind of filthy club beat. It’s a party-ready album made for nights spent beneath the disco ball.
The album opens with “Your Art”, a powerful call to action from Gou asking listeners to “make artwork again.” The short track begins atmospheric and dreamy, before building into a lively beat that bleeds into “Back to One” – immediately setting the tone for the album. With an irresistible ebbing beat that begs to be danced to, it feels like an instant classic.
Next up is “I Believe in Love Again”, a perhaps unexpected collaboration with Lenny Kravitz. It brims with a nostalgic R&B sound that gives you a chance to slow down and catch your breath. Kravitz croons over a soulful melody that oozes with the hopefulness of falling in love. Dreamy yet danceable, it’s one of the albums strongest moments.
“All That (feat. Villano Antillano)” is a lo-fi number featuring rising Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano. Swirled amongst layers of synth, Gou and Antillano share vocal duties for the chorus before we’re treated to Antillano’s Spanish rap verses. It’s a showcase of togetherness, which is thematically woven throughout the album.
Having been released as a single in 2023 and dubbed by many as a staple summer anthem, fans of Gou will already know how catchy “(It Goes Like) Nanana” is. With a joyous melody and energetic beat, the tune is a technicolour ode to nights spent on the dancefloor. The hooky “na, na, na” is guaranteed to live rent-free in your head – no complaints about this though.
A personal favourite of mine is the wonderfully named “Lobster Telephone”, a track that commands both your attention and your presence on the dancefloor. Akin to the Dali sculpture it’s named after, Gou sings surreal lyrics in Korean before confessing “I know you don’t understand this, but it doesn’t matter.” It’s an irresistible urge to dance without inhibition.
Next is “Seoulsi Peggygou (서울시페기구)”, a dynamic song that celebrates Gou’s Korean heritage. The oscillation between punchy snares and a melodic harp sample lets the tune sonically resemble a vibrant cityscape. The imagination behind this production makes it another personal album highlight.
Another 2023 single, “I Go” begins light and bouncy, before melting into a throbbing club beat. Gou sings in Korean between the uplifting and catchy refrain “I go, I go, I go, I go”, which makes for a fun and energising bop that’s primed for a spot in your workout playlist.
“Purple Horizon” is a funky tech house moment that keeps up the energy. It begins with ambient samples before building up into a full-throttle beat. As one of the more rave-ready tunes on the album, it perfectly captures Gou’s ability to glide between genres and musical styles.
Ethereal album closer “1+1=11” pays homage to 90’s club music. With a celebratory vibe, it’s another reminder of the unity and freedom that can be found through dance and music. Instantly evoking the bliss of dancing on a balmy summer night, the bouncy techno feels like the perfect way to send off a debut album.
I Hear You is full of timeless classics that are set to become dancefloor staples, proving that Peggy Gou is not one to miss a beat. If this is her debut album, the future for Gou shines very brightly.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Peggy Gou’s I Hear You is out June 7th. Pre-save/pre-order it HERE.
