Loki Details Gucci SS27 Soundtrack Split: Bossa Nova, Tango

Loki composed the original soundtrack for Gucci's SS27 show, which was presented last week in Milan at The Store. The music was divided into two distinct sections, mirroring the show's structure: a first part for men featuring bossa nova rhythms, and a second part for women driven by tango inspiration.

Loki, who holds the title of musical director at Gucci, began work on the score approximately six months before the show. The core development took two to three months, and he worked alone on the entire project. His process involves watching videos of the clothing looks within his music software to imagine concrete moments on the runway.

The soundtrack's first half blends bossa nova with jazz, using Brazilian piano and percussion. The second half shifts dramatically, building a slow, suspenseful atmosphere with hammering percussion inspired by tango. This split directly reflected creative director Demna's vision for a fun, unexpected menswear segment and a sensual, continuously building womenswear segment.

Creative Process

Loki describes his role as translating clothing into sound. He does not aim to faithfully reproduce genres like bossa nova or tango, but instead transforms them through his own instinct and musical language. He avoids being overly literal, but believes music must connect the dots between the collection, the set, the casting, and the overall attitude.

His creative process starts with a brainstorming session with Demna covering research, the collection, the set, and the desired atmosphere. After that, Loki composes alone. He stated, "El sonido de Gucci no es un género, es un punto de vista."

Collaboration with Demna

Loki has been soundtracking Demna's runway shows for the past decade, including the dystopian scores for Balenciaga. His last composition for Demna was in March 2025, and he took a year-and-a-half break from fashion shows before this Gucci project. He feels fortunate to collaborate with his husband, calling it a creative extension of each other.

He is now leaving behind the dystopian and overly conceptual sound of his earlier work. The desire to trigger emotion and show an assertive point of view, however, remains. He finds the work therapeutic, as he did during his time at Balenciaga.

Context and Inspiration

The soundtrack was inspired, in Loki's words, "at 3000% by the collection." For the men's section, Demna wanted something fun and unexpected. For the women's, the directive was for something sensual that keeps building, like an endless crescendo.

Loki's personal evolution influences his approach. He now attends hyperpop and rave events in Los Angeles to find community and self-expression. He recently spent two days listening to 'Tokyo' by Nico Rubio. He considers a show soundtrack finished only when Demna says he is happy.