A Lot on My Crate

Meeeee?! No, U! I’m talking to U! It is the third album by a master of many talents, April Harper Grey aka underscores. I admittedly haven’t heard any of her past projects, but after a listen of U, I might have to do a flyby on them as this album has a lot of memorable vocal harmonies and hyperpop coded beats that I am confident would leave a footprint on any casual pop listener. Everyone has been making buzz (it’s not killer bees thank God) around her and she has since gained a huge following in the indie scene from all three of her projects. She has started to establish her base at pop, then to indie rock, and then back to the pop sphere again as she is not wanting to do same thing, but despite me applauding her not to be pigeonholed I hope she does pursue pop some more, because there are some bangers here. The first listen of her music I have heard was from Danny Brown’s Stardust album from last year, in which I have blogged about. But “Copycats” had such a strong hook and chorus, as it was my favorite song from the album and she synergized with Danny’s unconventional flows. The track would not thrive without either of them and both of them were very important components of that song. When the singles were released for U, I was in complete awe on how catchy they were. I was so invested in this and my pop thirst was quenched. This is a refreshing and playful listen as it is a nice jolt to one’s heartache. In Crack Magazine, Grey has said her influences for this album has stemmed from Britney’s Blackout album, as you can hear her channel her sound here as a tribute and not as a mock imitation. And being as avant-garde as Blackout was, this project is a great blend of hyperpop and EDM to fit Grey’s vision. You can skip, you can rave, and you can shout on the top of a mountain with this album on blast. It’s short, but cohesive with its nine track run. This album is all about you, as it is relatable with its love language.

This whole album is about her outlook on love as you can see with “Tell Me (U Want It)”. It was one of the singles that I was into and I’m still into right now. It can even pass as a good EDM number with its techno kick at the end. The next one was her initial single for this album cycle being “Music”, in which her character conflates elements of music and her enjoyment of it to lure this love interest. It sounds like the thrill of the chase has ran amok. We got materialism bars in “Hollywood Forever”, in which her character is obsessed with the glamorous. Or is that on the surface? The robotic vocal harmonies in “The Peace” tickles an itch in my brain with its heavenly sound. It’s a song about not wanting to smoke alone, but only if he’s doing it. It’s a somber tone since you feel for the person that yearns for more, yet is so far out of reach. What’s funny about the song the sultry “Innuendo” song is that there are hardly any innuendos used and Grey plays her hand in front of this love interest. Despite it being a sexy atmosphere, her character has some pent up frustration. Any Oklou fans? Grey puts her influence on her sleeve with this slow dance with “Lovefield” with the pitched vocals along this soft spacey beat along the background. It’s a good one for people who are just in it for the vibes. It’s like the second coming of Britney with “Do It”, especially with those soft breathy background vocals that emulate the 2000s. I loved this single when it came out and it is still a banger here. Then comes “Bodyfeeling” as it is my favorite out of the whole album. It is a slowburner and it feels like a magical tango with Grey pouring her heart out. I love how dynamic it gets until its memorable outro. Man. That outro. It is such a sweet release. If you have to listen to this one and if you want to be moved to tears, then it’s the line:

Then we get a Y2K bubblegum bass closer with underscores makes “Wish U Well” as her way of saying goodbye. What’s good about it is it’s as if she’s communicating to her love interest and to you as well. I mean this album is all about you, right?

I do wish the album was longer. It feels like its missing something or I would like it if it has more running time. I get it. This pop album is trying to be concise and brief. A flash of lightning. I just hoped it would have one or two more songs. It might be the blueprint for a later pop album if she goes into this direction. Some songs also didn’t resonate with me as well as the other ones.

This album is the life of the party with some of underscore’s undertones. There are some influences on its sleeve, but somehow simultaneously sounds refreshing in its sound. There is also very strong songwriting on a subject that has been done to death a plethora of times. Yet, I want more. More. People are going insane for this album, so I hope she keeps going down this path to make a much more ambitious pop project. Three cheers for underscores. We wish her well.

FAVORITE TRACKS: TELL ME (U WANT IT), MUSIC, THE PEACE, DO IT, BODYFEELING

LEAST FAVORITE: HOLLYWOOD FOREVER

You can purchase this album on Bandcamp and her discography is also available for streaming.

https://underscores.bandcamp.com/album/u