Sonny Fodera - can we do it all again? (Album Review)
Friday, 26 June 2026
Written by Jacob Brookman
Sonny Fodera is beginning to look like the Australian Calvin Harris. Both have mastered the art of turning house music into crossover pop without completely abandoning the dancefloor, and both possess an uncanny ability to produce songs that seem destined for festival main stages, Radio 1 playlists and motorway Welcome Breaks.
On his sixth album, Fodera leans heavily into the piano-house revival that has quietly dominated British dance music over the past few years. There are echoes throughout of the carefree, garage-inflected house that powered Disclosure's Settle, albeit polished into something glossier and more commercially streamlined.
Big vocals, euphoric synths and relentless hooks arrive with impressive consistency, even if genuine surprises are thin on the ground.
Look is probably the standout. Built around soaring vocal melodies and a satisfyingly weightless drop, it captures everything Fodera does well without feeling overly calculated, and features a gorgeous vocal from Zimbabwean singer-songwriter Takura.
Asking is another obvious highlight, pairing emotional immediacy with enough groove to avoid slipping into anonymous dance-pop, while Mind Still hints at a more adventurous producer operating beneath the gleaming surface, introducing subtler textures and a welcome sense of restraint.
The problem is one of momentum. Outside of Look, the album rarely changes emotional gear, preferring to maintain a permanent state of uplift rather than building towards memorable peaks. The production is immaculate and the collaborations strong, but the songs begin to blur together as the hour progresses. You find yourself admiring the craftsmanship more than becoming emotionally invested in it.
That perhaps explains Fodera’s appeal. Like Harris, he understands exactly how modern dance music functions, but there remains a nagging sense that he’s capable of something bolder. In truth, though, he may be closer to Martin Solveig — an endlessly reliable supplier of polished, feel-good club records that are enjoyable in the moment, but rarely linger once the lights come up.
Sonny Fodera Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat June 27 2026 - BELFAST Ormeau Park
Sun August 30 2026 - WARRINGTON Daresbury Estate
Thu October 15 2026 - BRISBANE Fortitude Music Hall
Fri October 16 2026 - MELBOURNE PICA
Sat October 24 2026 - SYDNEY Hordern Pavilion
Fri September 25 2026 - NEW YORK Pacha New York
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