I-O-U!
Electronic popstar and hyperpop pioneer Underscores, released her self-written and produced third album “U” on March 20.
Since the release of her last album, “Wallsocket,” the artist, also known as April Grey, has spent her time touring the world and collaborating with artists like experimental rapper Danny Brown and French pop artist Oklou. After a slew of singles, the artist formally announced her next album with cover art created by Ochiai Shohei.
The album runs for a total of 34 minutes over nine songs, with Underscores opting for a shorter and more direct release compared to the lengthy hour of “Wallsocket.” This straightforward approach makes for a consistent listen and results in the artist’s magnum opus.
“Tell Me (U Want It)” kicks off the record with trap drums and electropop instrumentation. This song is an homage to prior pop artists, with familiar sounds from Madonna and Kylie Minogue’s discography present on the overall album.
While “Tell Me (U Want It)” sets the stage for a run of pop anthems, “Music” is one of many gems on the album. A destructive bassline opens the gates for sonic euphoria, with Underscores writing memorable and catchy lyrics about how music presents within different sectors of life.
Underscores writes, “Nonstop, avant-garde, talkin’ on the phone / It sound like pop, rock, electronic, rap, rock n’ roll / Bass bump, supersonic, won’t you take me home?”
Her songwriting continues to grow, as Underscores manages to make yet another catchy song with deep undertones by creating the perfect song about the beauty present in consumerism and desire.
The following tracks, “Hollywood Forever” and “The Peace,” are also excellent songs, with the latter containing an instrumental 2016 Bon Iver would have been all over.
Next is “Innuendo (I Get U),” a song presumably about a partner using Underscores for sex, and how she recognizes she is not the type of partner for her physically oriented partner. The song is pop bliss despite the sensitive songwriting, with Underscores creating another memorable track placed in the heat of the record.
An abrasive ending slides the listener into “Lovefield,” a beautiful track acting as a precursor to the top-notch quality music present in the single “Do It.”
“Do It” could be a massive hit, and is the type of pop song more people should listen to outside of mainstream attractions. It has all the qualities and kinks of a mainstream pop song, but the sound is elevated into territory rivaling the musicianship of past and present pop legends.
Underscores sings, “If you don’t know me / And I don’t know you / Then this might be / Something we should do / It’s all on the line for me / You could ruin everything / Or you could make me somebody new, you.”
The subject matter is similar to other mainstream pop songs, but the rhythm, instrumentation and uniqueness of Underscores elevates this song to peak pop. She combined old pop with modern sound, along with an addition of her own cynical twist on the genre.
Next is the track “Bodyfeeling,” a baggy foray into the meshed sounds of pop and house music which results in an excellent track and potential next single. The album is capped off with the song “Wish U Well.”
Underscores knows how to end an album in a unique way, with the track being a completely different feel from past tracks. The song is warm and filled with swarming electronics under soundpools of blissful closure. As she strums an acoustic guitar in front of cranky electronics, the singer delivers some of her most heartfelt writing.
Underscores belts, “And if I’m being honest with myself, I don’t want closure / I want to feel the gravity of losing you / And if I’m being honest with myself, the feeling’s over / My worst nightmare coming true.”
With “U” coming to an end, Underscores does not just create another entry into her established catalog but an album that should receive the recognition to push the singer into the mainstream eye. “U” is a sonic adventure where pop is not just a glamorous high life introspection but a leftfield medium for artists tackling abnormal topics.
Rating: 9/10
