09/2025 – Shufu Studio

This month we take a deep dive into the vibrant and seemingly endless world of Greek pop music, known locally as Laïkó (λαϊκό). It’s a style that draws from a deep well of influences, blending the traditional sounds of Greek Rebetiko with Europop and American pop, all the while neighboring cultures rear their (beautiful) heads. So every once in a while you will hear echoes of Turkish, Balkan, Arab, and even Israeli music.

What we discovered is a fascinating balance of infectious optimism and deep-seated melancholy, all delivered with the unique kinetic energy of the Greek language. The playlist spans from the late 1970s to today, tracing the evolution of this captivating sound from its classic era to its modern, high-gloss form.

Here are a few highlights from this month’s sonic exploration:

Our journey begins in 1977 with “Mathima Solfège” (“Solfège Lesson”), performed by the supergroup Pascalis, Marianna, Robert & Bessy. This was Greece’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, and its bright, cheerful performance made it an instant classic. It placed 5th in the contest, a result that remained Greece’s best showing for fifteen years and perfectly captures the era’s naive, pan-European spirit.

Jumping forward to the year 2000, we have “Τόσα Δειλινά…” by Nikos Kourkoulis. This track is quintessential Laïkó from the turn of the millennium. The song features a truly virtuosic bouzouki line, while Kourkoulis sings with all of the pathos he could gather, to deliver a blend of ecstatic celebration and unbearable heartache that makes you want to dance and cry at the same time.

Finally, a track from one of the genre’s most iconic figures, Despina Vandi. Her 1997 hit “Της Καρδιάς Μου Γιατρειά” (My heart’s cure) from her third album “Δέκα Εντολές” (Ten orders) feels huge. Produced by the legendary Phoebus, marking their first collaboration out of many. Together, Vandi with her epic vocals and Phoebus with his creative mix of traditional instrumentation and electronics, take us from the small taverna to a vast stadium. When the chorus hits we are never sure if it’s part of a pop song or a religious ceremony.

We hope you enjoyed the results of this month’s research. Let us know your thoughts, and feel free to share your favorite tracks or artists with us over at: research@shufu.studio