underscores: "music"

backstory

underscores' new single "music" is an explosive, playful, and at times ethereal journey that gives me a ton of hype for what she has in store this album cycle. it is the second solo single since her deluxe edition release of 2023's Wallsocket, and was preceded by an awesome 2010's-house-infused single Poplife back in april. featuring fellow producer umru, it was complete with booming basses, lush vocal layering, plenty of ear candy in the instrumental, and an memorable chorus with a catchy melody.

this set of singles shows that april is starting to move away from the punk and rock influences that were present throughout Wallsocket's tracklist, whilst returning to the house, edm, and dubstep influences of her earlier projects such as 2020's character development! and her 2021 ep boneyard aka fearmonger. i cannot be more excited for this shift.

the single's maximalist edm production reminds me a lot of the early monstercat discography, which underscores has cited as an influence in her music. the glittery synths and harsh percussion provide a lot of space for layers of spacious vocals, topped off with a blown out bass that sounds like a jackhammer slowed down. lyrically, underscores delves into attraction with a romantic interest and relating it to music, singing:

last night, i had a wet dream 'bout the perfect song
i know, i know i'm too far gone
opened my eyes and forgot all of the notes
by any chance, do you know how it goes?

this eventually leads to the most explosive and cathartic chorus i have encountered on an underscores song, where she croons "when i'm with you it feels like muuu-sss-iiiic"