Fcukers Launches Their Debut Album After Uncertain Times

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Today, March 27, marks the release of Fcukers’ debut album, Ö. The album stands out not only for its stylish and engaging sound but also for its uncertain path to completion.

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The New York dance-rock duo, comprised of Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis, garnered attention with their debut EP, Baggy$$, released in 2024. This project quickly established them as a standout act within the post-Brat dance scene, showcasing a unique blend of electronic beats, guitar, disco elements, and Wise’s distinctive helium voice.

Following their EP’s September 2024 release, Fcukers played at influential festivals such as Portola and Pitchfork London, winning over fans, including Billie Eilish and James Murphy. In February 2025, they were announced as the supporting act for Tame Impala’s global 2025/26 Deadbeat Tour, prompting them to shift their focus to creating a debut album amidst rising expectations.

“We didn’t expect to be touring for a year off an EP,” Lewis said. “It was this unexpected success, so then it almost felt like the debut album had the pressure of a debut, but also [the expectations] of a sophomore album.” He emphasized the challenge of determining their artistic direction, stating, “Where do we take this?”

Lewis shared his struggles with pressure, revealing, “There were a lot of people in my ear saying like, ‘Whatever you do, it has to be good.’ I hit a wall where I was like, ‘I can’t do this.’ I went to the label and was like, ‘No deadlines. You might not get any music this year. I’m not in [a] great spot.’”

A chance meeting in Los Angeles during Coachella last April proved pivotal. The duo’s manager introduced them to noted producer Kenneth Blume, known as Kenny Beats. Although Blume had recently completed work on Geese’s debut album, it had yet to be released. Lewis noted, “So he wasn’t top of dome [for] everyone.”

Initially scheduled for a brief coffee break, their meeting with Blume took an unexpected turn when they created two new songs, effectively alleviating their creative pressure. They subsequently dedicated the rest of the week to working at Blume’s studio.

Wise described their productive sessions: “We ended up working with him for two weeks straight, and in that time wrote and recorded most of the album.” Though they brought two song ideas to those sessions, most of the material was created from scratch. Wise praised Blume’s production skills, which allowed them to focus on songwriting without worrying about technical details, stating, “It wasn’t like, ‘Does the kick drum sound good?’ We knew it was going to sound f–king great.”

Their collaboration established a rigorous work routine. “We’d wake up, get coffee at nine, drive to his studio, work until 8:00 p.m., go to sleep and do the same thing again the next day,” Wise explained. The pair produced three songs a day during their first week, then spent the second week honing their ideas, ultimately finalizing an 11-track album. Inspired by Prince’s symbol era, they chose the title Ö.

With additional production by Dylan Brady of 100 gecs, the album is now available through Ninja Tune—an ideal fit for a project that traverses both band and electronic music genres, as noted by Lewis.

Before forming Fcukers, Wise and Lewis, both 28, were active in various bands in New York. Lewis also DJed while working in bars. Introduced by a mutual friend, they discovered a shared enthusiasm for electronic music.

Reflecting on his DJ experiences, Lewis recounted, “I was DJing in New York a lot, and remember one of the first times I played Le Bain. I was like, ‘Okay, this is what it feels like to play a packed club.’” He mentioned his affinity for ’90s house music and how their collaboration blossomed from a desire to create music similar to what he enjoyed spinning.

Wise added, “I didn’t listen to any house music before I met Jackson,” highlighting their distinct perspectives. “I feel like we’re always coming at it from different sides in a cool way.”

Although adept in multiple instruments and DAWs, Lewis recalled an important moment when Wise directly asked, “Do you know how to make electronic music?” He replied, “No, but we can figure it out.” The result has been a hybrid sound that blends trap, drum & bass, garage, R&B, rock, and influences from Y2K-era artists like Nelly, Lily Allen, Outkast, and Dizzee Rascal.

Fcukers will showcase their eclectic sound on a 42-date tour running from April 2 to September 20. The tour will include headlining shows across North America and England, festival appearances at Bonnaroo and Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, and support slots for Rüfüs Du Sol and Harry Styles in São Paulo.

Reflecting on their recent sold-out shows in London, Wise remarked, “The crowds were crazy, singing all the words. I got chills. I’ve toured a lot in other bands and have never felt that type of connection before.”

Lewis added, “We’ve made it way farther than I ever thought we would in my wildest dreams. Anything that happens beyond this is a bonus.”