If disco had its uprising in 2022, still using a lot of the instruments and the special elements that made the genre so definitive such as strings and horns, it would sound very similar to ‘Dancing Feet’ by Kygo and DNCE.

As soon as the song opens, listeners are introduced to gliding strings that quickly switch to a very modern-EDM twist, introducing the two major soundscapes that are merging with one another. Still, most of the more dynamic sections of the track are founded upon those really eccentric dance-pop standards, but are decorated with aggressive pianos, strings, and horn punches that paint the disco-feel to the track. The chorus is built using a repeated vocal effect, again a very modern approach to choruses. The energy that rises in that section, highlighted by the classic horn licks, is some of the most exciting I’ve heard in pop so far. The rhythm section follows a less aggressive approach, only kicking on the ‘one’ and ‘three’, rather than the standard electro-pop four-on-the-floor, which creates an interesting dynamic where the compression feels very in-your-face without being overly aggressive. The structure is fairly standard for both pop and disco, moving along without ever stopping all the while moving up and down in dynamics not to overwhelm the listener. The soft pads that are used to give body to the verses are very elegant, acting wonderfully as filler and to make the song feel and sound even more modern.

‘Dancing Feet’ is an incredibly fun song. The harmonies, the chord progression, all led towards a more traditional structure that carries it to a close is reminiscent of many artists and none all at the same time. It’s very unique in its execution, where it uses disco more so as an inspiration rather than to emulate, or to spiritually succeed. Everything from the production to the melodies are very modern, but the twist on the typical formula, along with the few nods in the lyrics, make ‘Dancing Feet’ one of the more interesting approaches to modern pop music.

Author: Nicholas Gaudet

Music producer and writer from Dieppe, Canada.