In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary music, few genres have emerged as boldly and provocatively as Hyperpop. A genre that thrives on experimentation, distortion, and boundary-pushing sounds, Hyperpop is not just a musical style but a cultural phenomenon. Characterized by its distorted vocals, frenetic beats, and a mix of pop, electronic, and avant-garde influences, Hyperpop refuses to fit neatly into any one box. It’s a genre that breaks all the rules redefining what pop music can sound like in the digital age.
In this article, we explore the rise of Hyperpop, its distinctive features, the artists pushing its boundaries, and why this genre resonates with a new generation of listeners. Whether you’re a fan of glitchy beats or high-pitched vocals, Hyperpop is here to challenge your perception of what pop music can be.
1. What is Hyperpop?
Hyperpop is a genre that blends pop, electronic, and experimental elements into an abrasive, maximalist sound that challenges conventional pop structures. While it’s often described as “pop on steroids,” Hyperpop is far more than just an exaggerated version of mainstream pop; it’s a genre that thrives on chaos, contradiction, and creativity.
At its core, Hyperpop takes the catchy hooks and melodic sensibilities of pop music but distorts them with intense, auto-tuned vocals, glitchy production, and rapid tempo shifts. The result is a frenetic, high-energy sound that pushes musical boundaries in ways that traditional pop never did.
Although its sound can vary widely between different artists, there are a few key characteristics that define Hyperpop:
- Extreme Vocal Processing: High-pitched, heavily auto-tuned vocals are a hallmark of Hyperpop, often making the singer sound like a computerized, robotic version of themselves.
- Glitchy, Distorted Beats: The production in Hyperpop is intentionally messy and disorienting, featuring stuttering rhythms, heavy distortion, and synths that sound like they’re malfunctioning.
- Maximalism: The genre favors over-the-top sounds and compositions, where multiple elements (vocals, instruments, effects) are layered and pushed to their limits, creating a dense, chaotic listening experience.
- Genre Blending: Hyperpop often blends elements from various genres such as electropop, trap, industrial, and avant-garde to create a sound that feels both futuristic and out of control.
2. The Birth of Hyperpop: A Digital Revolution
Hyperpop emerged in the mid-2010s as a product of the digital age, thriving on the internet and social media platforms like SoundCloud, YouTube, and Bandcamp. The genre is deeply tied to the rise of DIY culture, where young producers and artists, often from marginalized communities, have access to tools that allow them to experiment and produce music outside the mainstream music industry.
The earliest roots of Hyperpop can be traced to genres like bubblegum bass and witch house, with artists like PC Music (a label founded by producer A.G. Cook) playing a pivotal role in shaping its sound. A.G. Cook and Hannah Diamond, among others, began creating music that deconstructed pop by using unconventional production techniques, hyperrealistic vocal effects, and exaggerated electronic sounds.
It wasn’t long before the genre began gaining traction with the release of iconic Hyperpop tracks like “Hey QT” by QT and “Vroom Vroom” by Charli XCX. These artists took what was initially a niche internet sound and made it more mainstream, laying the foundation for a wave of artists that would continue to push the genre’s limits.
3. Artists Pushing the Hyperpop Envelope
As Hyperpop continues to evolve, a diverse group of artists has taken the genre to new heights, each adding their own unique flair to the genre’s chaotic, futuristic sound. Some of the most prominent figures in the Hyperpop movement include:
1. Charli XCX
Perhaps one of the biggest mainstream advocates of Hyperpop, Charli XCX has embraced the genre in full force. Her album “Charli” (2019) marked a clear departure from her earlier pop work, incorporating hyper-distorted vocals, glitchy beats, and experimental production. Tracks like “1999” and “Claws” are quintessential examples of her contributions to the genre. Charli XCX has since become a trailblazer, showing that mainstream pop can coexist with experimental, avant-garde sounds.
2. 100 gecs
The duo of Laura Les and Dylan Brady has become one of Hyperpop’s most influential acts, creating a sound that blends punk energy, glitchy electronic beats, and screeching vocals. Their debut album “1000 Gecs” (2019) is a chaotic, genre-defying masterpiece that incorporates elements of punk, metal, trap, and bubblegum pop. The duo’s wild experimentation with sound has made them a defining voice in the genre.
3. Rina Sawayama
While Rina Sawayama is often categorized as a pop artist, her work straddles the line between Hyperpop and mainstream pop. Her album “SAWAYAMA” (2020) features elements of industrial, metal, and electronic music, with tracks like “STFU!” incorporating distorted, glitchy beats and heavily processed vocals that fit comfortably within the Hyperpop ethos. Rina’s genre-blending style has earned her a significant following, particularly among fans of experimental pop.
4. Dorian Electra
Known for their gender-bending persona and experimental approach to pop music, Dorian Electra has made waves within the Hyperpop scene with their releases such as “Flamboyant” (2019). Their music is a celebration of flamboyance, glitchy beats, and maximalist pop, often blending elements of trap, EDM, and synth-pop into an over-the-top sound that challenges gender norms and musical conventions.
5. Sophie (RIP)
The late Sophie was an early architect of Hyperpop, and her album “Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides” (2018) remains one of the genre’s defining works. Sophie’s avant-garde production, ethereal melodies, and innovative use of vocals set the stage for a whole new wave of pop experimentation. With tracks like “Ponyboy” and “Immaterial”, Sophie proved that pop music could be both experimental and emotionally resonant, earning her a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim.
4. The Aesthetic of Hyperpop: A Digital Culture Explosion
Hyperpop’s impact isn’t just limited to the music itself; it also extends to its visual aesthetics and online presence. The genre is inherently tied to internet culture, and its aesthetic often reflects that. From high-gloss visuals to cartoonish animations, Hyperpop’s branding embraces the synthetic, hyperreal nature of the digital age.
The visuals accompanying Hyperpop music videos often feature bright, bold colors, pixelated imagery, and surreal, distorted elements that mirror the genre’s music—chaotic, futuristic, and at times disorienting. The combination of these visuals with the music creates an immersive experience that is uniquely tied to the internet and social media culture.
Artists in the Hyperpop scene often engage with fans directly via Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, creating a sense of community where fans feel connected to the artists and their digital spaces. This strong online presence has played a significant role in the rapid rise of Hyperpop as a genre, with music discovery often happening through viral challenges, memes, and fan-made content.
5. Why Hyperpop Resonates with Today’s Audience
Hyperpop’s rise to popularity can be attributed to several key factors that make it particularly appealing to today’s digital-native generation:
1. A Rejection of Perfection
In a world where polished, mainstream pop music often rules the charts, Hyperpop’s raw, unpolished, and deliberately distorted sound is a refreshing departure. It speaks to a younger generation’s desire for authenticity, individuality, and a rejection of perfectionism. Hyperpop is imperfect, chaotic, and strange—and that’s precisely why it resonates.
2. A Celebration of Fluidity
Hyperpop is a genre that celebrates fluidity—whether in its gender expression, genre-bending sound, or approach to identity. Many Hyperpop artists are non-binary, queer, or have openly defied traditional gender norms, and this fluidity is mirrored in the music. The genre allows listeners to experiment with their own identity and embrace the idea that there’s no one way to be or sound.
3. The Hyper-Reality of Digital Life
Hyperpop is a reflection of the hyper-reality we live in today, where the lines between the digital and physical worlds are increasingly blurred. Its music sounds like something you’d hear in a virtual world, with futuristic, glitchy effects that mirror the way we interact with technology on a daily basis. In this way, Hyperpop becomes the soundtrack to the digital age—loud, fast, and always evolving.
6. The Future of Hyperpop: What’s Next?
As the genre continues to grow and evolve, Hyperpop is likely to continue shaping the future of pop music in ways we can’t yet fully predict. With more artists embracing experimental production, non-traditional song structures, and digital aesthetics, we can expect to see Hyperpop influence a range of other genres, from indie rock to electronic dance music.
Furthermore, with the increasing influence of platforms like TikTok and YouTube, Hyperpop will likely continue to thrive in the world of viral trends and social media culture. As long as there are creators willing to break the rules and embrace the weirdness of the digital age, Hyperpop will continue to evolve and captivate listeners with its chaotic, futuristic sound.
7. Conclusion: A Genre for the Digital Age
Hyperpop is more than just a genre; it’s a reflection of the digital age, an expression of freedom, chaos, and creativity. By breaking all the rules of traditional pop music and embracing experimental production, exaggerated vocals, and genre-blending sounds, Hyperpop has carved out a unique space in the musical landscape. Its maximalist approach to music and its celebration of fluidity and imperfection make it a powerful force for a new generation of listeners who are ready for something radically different.
