Hyperpop

About the Hyperpop genre

The immediate roots of hyperpop trace back to PC Music and producer A.G. Cook, whose mid-2010s releases blended exuberant melodies with eccentric electronic production. Charli XCX's 2017 mixtape Pop 2 established a template for the style, featuring outlandish production and a stated mission to give pop a sonic and aesthetic overhaul for contemporary listeners. Sophie, another PC Music affiliate, became recognized by Variety and The New York Times as pioneering the sound alongside Cook's continued influence.

The genre exploded during the 2020s lockdowns as new artists like glaive, underscores, and quinn entered the scene. Hyperpop's connection to LGBTQ+ communities became pronounced, partly because pitch modulation and autotune offered expressive possibilities beyond traditional vocal performance, creating particular resonance with transgender youth. Artists across the movement use these production tools not just as effects but as instruments for self-expression and identity, making the genre as much about sonic experimentation as it is about community and cultural moment.