Is Hyperpop Making Its Peak in The Market?

Forget neat little boxes. Hyperpop actively defies definition, and that’s its superpower. Imagine your favorite pop songs got thrown into a digital blender with a dash of glitch, a pinch of punk attitude, and a whole lot of experimental fun. That’s hyperpop. It’s a genre that thrives on:

• Heavily processed vocals: Think voices pitched up so high they sound like chipmunks, or down so low they’re almost monstrous. It’s all about pushing boundaries.
• Fractured rhythms and unexpected drops: Just when you think you’ve got the beat, hyperpop pulls the rug out from under you, shifting tempos and moods in a blink. It’s unpredictable in the best way.
• A high-energy, sometimes abrasive, aesthetic: This isn’t background music. Hyperpop demands your attention with its bold, in-your-face sounds.

Artists like SOPHIE (listen to “Lemonade” or “BIPP”) were pioneers, showing how meticulous sound design could be both playful and profound. And later, acts like 100 Gecs took that experimental spirit and ran with it, creating music that’s both cartoonish and deeply subversive.

It’s More Than Just Music. It’s a Community Statement. 

What makes hyperpop truly special isn’t just its sound; it’s its soul. This genre has been largely shaped by the LGBTQIA+ community, with many queer, trans, and nonbinary artists leading the charge. Why? Because hyperpop’s embrace of artificiality, altered voices, and the blurring of musical lines perfectly mirrors the fluid and diverse expressions of gender and identity.

It’s a space where artists like Laura Les of 100 Gecs openly explore their trans identity, and where the late SOPHIE used her music to break down cultural barriers. Beyond individual artists, online communities on platforms like Discord and Reddit became hubs for fans and creators, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging daring experimentation. It’s a place where shared experiences drive artistic curiosity.

How’s Hyperpop in the Philippine Market?

Even here in the Philippines, hyperpop is making waves, primarily within online communities and among younger audiences. While you might not hear it on mainstream radio (yet!), it’s thriving in independent electronic music circles. Filipino “bedroom producers” are diving in, experimenting with autotuned vocals and glitched-out beats, sharing their creations in online music hubs.

This isn’t about huge festivals (at least not yet!), but about smaller, independent nights and online events that showcase artists who are all about this innovative approach to music. It’s a clear sign of a growing, engaged, and digitally-savvy niche.

Why Stop Asking “What The F Is Hyperpop?”

Honestly, trying to give hyperpop a strict definition is like trying to catch smoke. Its power lies in its constant evolution and its refusal to be pinned down. It’s artificial yet personal, chaotic yet carefully crafted, aggressive yet often melodic.

The beauty of hyperpop is that it challenges you to listen differently, to move beyond simple categories, and to simply appreciate its underlying spirit of experimentation and subversion. So, next time you’re looking for something new, exciting, and a little bit unhinged, give hyperpop a listen. You might just find your new favorite obsession.

Flak is hosting a new event called This Is Too Loud at Mono by Phono with artists namely calival, T33G33, D Waviee, Peebs, Voss, Blipp, and OnlyKwans. As calival explains, Flak made this possible for those who grew up online—“headphones on, always a little out of place, still figuring out where they belong. Since hyperpop has strong ties to the LGBTQ+ community, Flak focused on building a lineup that not only showcases talented DJs with deep knowledge of the genre but also celebrates representation.

‘We want to highlight the angst and drive that the LGBT community has shown, in protests, in online spaces, and in this case, in music.’

calival

The artists and Flak intentionally planned this event for June (Pride Month) to honor hyperpop’s origins with LGBTQ+ pioneers and to celebrate queerness and “weirdness.” Get ready for an experience with redlining EQs, incredibly loud and distorted bass and kicks, all sprinkled with some cute and melodic surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperpop

What is Hyperpop?

Hyperpop is a relatively new and evolving music genre characterized by its experimental and often maximalist approach to pop music. It typically features heavily processed vocals, distorted and glitchy electronic sounds, upbeat tempos, and an embrace of internet culture and aesthetics. Artists often push the boundaries of traditional song structures and production, resulting in a sound that can be both jarring and exhilarating. Key influences include mainstream pop, electronic dance music (EDM), hip-hop, and various internet subcultures.

How Does Hyperpop Challenge Traditional Music Genres?

Hyperpop challenges traditional music genres by deliberately deconstructing and exaggerating pop music conventions. It often incorporates elements like autotuned vocals pushed to their extremes, abrupt shifts in tempo and melody, and a chaotic blend of synthesized sounds that defy typical genre categorization. This experimental approach breaks away from established norms, creating a sound that can be both familiar and alien, pushing the boundaries of what is considered “pop” and blurring lines between genres like EDM, punk, and even noise music.

Who Are Some Notable Artists in the Hyperpop Scene?

While the article doesn’t explicitly name artists, the hyperpop scene is home to a diverse range of innovative musicians. Some of the notable artists often associated with the genre include 100 Gecs, known for their highly experimental and genre-bending tracks; Charli XCX, who has significantly influenced and collaborated within the hyperpop space; and artists like SOPHIE (whose pioneering work deeply impacted the genre), A. G. Cook, and many others within the PC Music collective. These artists, among others, have been instrumental in shaping the sound and aesthetic of hyperpop.