Why It Matters
The mix expands Kourtesis’s international profile while reinforcing DJ Kicks’ reputation as a platform for forward‑thinking electronic curators. It signals a continued fusion of clubcraft and emotive storytelling in the genre.
Key Takeaways
- •DJ Kicks mix releases March 27 via K7
- •Four original tracks, lead single 'Los Poemas'
- •Features exclusive tracks from Jon Hopkins, Aphex Twin
- •Kourtesis blends emotion, tension, release in DJ set
- •Builds on momentum from 2023 'Madres' album
Pulse Analysis
The DJ Kicks series has long been a benchmark for electronic artists seeking to showcase both mixing prowess and curatorial taste. By joining the roster, Sofia Kourtesis aligns herself with legends like Four Tet and DJ Koze, leveraging the brand’s global reach to introduce her distinct melodic techno aesthetic to a broader audience. The March 27 release on K7 positions the mix at the intersection of underground credibility and mainstream accessibility, a balance that many emerging producers strive to achieve.
Kourtesis’s tracklist is a study in contrast, weaving her four original productions with carefully selected cuts from Jon Hopkins, Aphex Twin and Axel Boman. The opening track, “Los Poemas No Siempre Riman,” sets a contemplative tone that evolves into high‑energy moments, illustrating her intent to map emotional peaks and valleys across the set. By interspersing familiar names with her own work, she creates a narrative that feels both personal and universally resonant, reinforcing the DJ Kicks ethos of surprise and journey.
From a market perspective, the collaboration benefits both parties: K7 gains a fresh voice that appeals to younger festival crowds, while Kourtesis taps into the series’ legacy fans. Anticipated streaming numbers and vinyl sales could boost her visibility ahead of future tour dates, and the mix may influence upcoming DJ Kicks entries to prioritize emotive storytelling over pure club bangers. In a landscape where electronic music increasingly blurs genre lines, this release underscores the commercial viability of nuanced, mood‑driven DJ sets.
A Sofia Kourtesis DJ Kicks Is on the Way
Listen to the first of her four new songs on the mix, “Los Poemas No Siempre Riman” · By Jazz Monroe · February 11, 2026
Photo by Christopher Bouchard
Sofia Kourtesis has recorded a mix for the DJ Kicks series. The first of four original Kourtesis songs leads the set; listen to “Los Poemas No Siempre Riman” below. The tracklist, also below, includes exclusive contributions from Jon Hopkins, Axel Boman, Myd, Joy (Anonymous), and Laurence Guy. K7 will release the set on March 27.
“DJ‑Kicks is a series that shaped how I think about DJing and listening. I played the DJ Koze mix an unhealthy number of times, to the point where it basically lives in my DNA now. Those mixes taught me that the best ones aren't about showing off; they’re about taking people on a journey. They move, twist and surprise you. They give you goosebumps when you least expect it.” – Sofia Kourtesis, press release
“This mix was about bringing together all the different sounds and emotions I carry with me. The highs, the lows, the warmth, the weird little left turns. That’s basically how my brain works when I’m behind the decks. This is my way of letting those worlds collide, overlap and dance with each other. That’s exactly what I wanted to do here. I wanted emotion, tension, release. I wanted this mix to feel alive.” – Sofia Kourtesis
Kourtesis followed her 2023 solo album Madres with the Volver EP last year.
DJ‑Kicks: Sofia Kourtesis – Tracklist
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Jon Hopkins – Home Station (DJ‑Kicks Version)
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Aphex Twin – Flim
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Sofia Kourtesis – It’s You
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Cos‑Ber‑Zam – Ne Noya (Daphni Mix)
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Laurence Guy – Make Me Feel Better
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Myd – You’re a Star
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Axel Boman – Rock Top
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Sofia Kourtesis – Texas Changing
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JOY (Anonymous) – JOY (Look Up Now)
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Avalon Emerson – One More Fluorescent Rush
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Logic1000 – Her
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Sofia Kourtesis – A Brief Look in Your Eyes
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Sedef Adasi – Mermaids On Acid
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Nick León – Xtasis [ft. DJ Babatr]
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Ahadadream – Piano Skank
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Chloé Caillet, Luke Alessi – The One [ft. Jocelyn Brown]
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Octo Octa – Find Your Way Home
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DJ GTi – Santa Teresa
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Sofia Kourtesis & Novalima – Los Poemas No Siempre Riman (DJ‑Kicks)
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Dave DK – Lagoon 69
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△▃△▓ – …
Jazz Monroe is a music and culture writer based in London. His work also appears in The Guardian, The Independent, and elsewhere.
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