When COVID-19 gripped the world in its icy clutches and everyone retreated to the relative safety of their homes, an unexpected musical genre began to bubble up to the surface: hyperpop. A sonic universe where chaos and harmony coexist, hyperpop became an anthem for internet-savvy youth locked inside with more free time and emotion than ever before.
At first, hyperpop may seem puzzling—a relentless barrage of electronic sounds, high-pitched vocals, and seemingly disconnected lyrics. But beneath its frenetic exterior lies a coherent form that reflects the digital age. Hyperpop embraces maximalism and the limitless boundaries of the internet, and with the pandemic’s boundaries suddenly imposing on daily life, young listeners found solace in hyperpop’s rebellion against restrictions.
Characterized by artists such as 100 gecs, SOPHIE, and A.G. Cook, hyperpop became a bold soundtrack to the lockdown experience. These artists don’t shy away from experimenting with eclectic sounds and melting multiple genres into something entirely new. The shifting landscapes of these tracks match the ever-changing nature of the pandemic world, providing a sense of both disorientation and liberation.
The scene grew through online platforms where algorithms played a pivotal role. Spotify's curated hyperpop playlists offered budding stars a gateway to amassed listener bases, sparking a community that would otherwise have been spread too thin across the real world. Online platforms like TikTok also served as a launchpad, where catchy snippets of hyperpop tracks launched viral trends and dance challenges.
Though hyperpop’s lineage draws from diverse influences like trance, punk, and bubblegum pop, it feels inherently novel—an evolutionary step for pop music that mirrors the fragmented way young people communicate and consume media. In pandemic times, when social interactions were minimized, exploration of such new sonic landscapes provided a fresh route for emotional expression.
This genre’s appeal extends beyond just the music; it fosters a cultural aesthetic. Hyperpop challenges traditional concepts of masculinity and femininity, playing with identity, gender, and fashion. The pandemic emphasized this as many fans found themselves more expressive and experimental in their personal spaces—unbound by regular societal norms.
Critics often dismissed hyperpop as nothing more than a cluttered mess—to some, an auditory overload. But those who understand its roots and intentions see it as a brilliant reflection of the modern world’s chaos. It speaks to those bombarded with information daily, those comfortable in the cacophony of the internet—a digital reflection of themselves.
As the pandemic begins to recede, the question remains whether hyperpop will transform again or fade into obscurity. What’s certain is that it encapsulated a unique period of history, offering listeners a parallel universe to escape to. Should it evolve, it will do so reshaping and reimagining the boundaries of pop music.
Emerging from garages and bedrooms across the world, one thing is clear: hyperpop provided an antidote to the physical confines imposed by the pandemic—a refusal to be quietly productive within constraints. In doing so, it allowed young creators to craft an identity both bold and transformative, echoing into the future of music.
The underground rise of hyperpop during pandemic times
