Underscores: The Hyperpop Artist Redefining Genre Boundaries

April Harper Grey, professionally known as underscores, is rapidly becoming a defining voice in contemporary pop music. The San Francisco-born singer-songwriter and producer has captivated a diverse audience, garnering fans from experimental pop duo 100 gecs to rapper Danny Brown and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. Her latest album, U, signals a refined and focused artistic vision, building on a foundation of maximalist experimentation.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Born on April 21, 2000, in San Francisco, California, underscores began her musical journey at the age of 13, releasing dubstep music on SoundCloud [1]. She progressively incorporated diverse genres into her sound, culminating in her debut album, Fishmonger, in March 2021. This was followed by a companion EP and a tour supporting 100 gecs later that year. In early 2022, underscores embarked on her first headlining tour, and in September 2023, released her second album, Wallsocket, via Mom + Pop record label [1].

Wallsocket and the Shift Towards U

Wallsocket, promoted with singles, an alternate reality game, and a North American and European tour, was a complex concept album inspired by artists like Madonna, Imogen Heap, Bruce Springsteen, and Sufjan Stevens, as well as country music, 2010s pop, and horror films [1]. The album showcased underscores’ genre-bending style, encompassing hyperpop, pop-punk, dubstep, indie pop, rock, and Midwest emo. However, it was often characterized by its maximalist approach, sometimes bordering on overwhelming.

U: A More Focused Sound

U represents a deliberate paring back of that maximalism. Although still experimental, the album demonstrates a distinct musical shift, with the emo/punk influence largely absent. Instead, U draws heavily from the late 1990s and early 2000s R&B sound pioneered by producers like Timbaland, the Neptunes, and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. This influence is evident in samples, vocal styles, and rhythmic structures, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and thoroughly modern.

Songwriting and Lyrical Themes

The shift in sonic landscape allows underscores’ songwriting to take center stage. U’s lyrics focus on the theme of love, explored through original concepts. “The Peace” charts the progression of a relationship through shared cigarettes, while “Hollywood Forever” and “Do It” playfully address the complexities of dating while experiencing moderate fame, questioning whether connections are genuine or fueled by recognition: “Am I in your playlist?” and “Do you have Spotify?”

An Independent Auteur

Underscores is a true auteur, having written, performed, and produced all the material on U. This level of creative control allows for a unique and cohesive artistic vision, resulting in songs that possess a high level of polish and sophistication.

Looking Ahead

While predicting mainstream success in the current music landscape is challenging, underscores’ trajectory suggests a continued rise within the pop music sphere. U is a compelling and accomplished album that stands out from much of the mainstream output, solidifying underscores’ position as a significant and innovative artist.