Come to Hyperpop Heaven with Sophie Powers in ‘Glitch: Lvl 1’
At this point, the 2020s have been solidified as a renaissance for electronic music in the modern age. Hyperpop gained major popularity during the pandemic and has shifted the music industry towards focusing on fun again. With the resurgence of “recession pop” and the overwhelming excitement for sugar-rush-type dance beats, artists like Sophie Powers come at the perfect time.
A master of maximalism and creativity is hard to pin down. Some may attempt to box her music into a combination genre like alt-pop or glitch rock. A music reviewer like myself can invent tons of names to describe Sophie Powers’ music style, but what truly matters is the question, “Is it good?” The answer: Yes. Powers solidifies her position as a certified b*d*ss and impresses with Glitch: Vol 1. With only eight tracks, the EP is a punching love letter to the hyper tones of artists like 100 gecs and 6arelyhuman and the passionate lyricism of Dorian Electra.
The opening track is intense and aptly named, “Woah!!” This starkly differs from the dark pop-punk aesthetic of her first EP Red Revenge. In it, the first track “Clearview” was a bumping electronic rock track that directly contrasts this record. “Woah!!” dives headfirst into the electronic realm, both in its hyperactive production and through its featured artist. Kets4ki, known for their expertise in hyperpop and glitch pop, adds an unique edge to the tune, enhancing the track’s authenticity within the genre. Their brief yet powerful verse acts as a dynamic call and response to Powers, embodying the essence of bubblegum bass. This sets the tone for the 8-bit wonderland that pumps through this record.
Powers doesn’t abandon the pop-punk aspects of her first EP, though. On “Obsessed” and "Nosebleed” she revisits the tones while exploring themes of self-esteem, obsession and worldly woes. She fully embodies these themes in both lyricism and tonality. “Obsessed” relies on vocals and lyricism to push the pop-punk style while mainly focusing on a four-on-the-floor electronic backtrack. This track gives listeners a glimpse into Power's love life: she has a taste for danger and embraces it with complete shamelessness.
“Nosebleed” takes a different approach with much more subdued hip-hop influence than many others on the record; it maintains an edge of electronic whimsy, featuring dial tones, glitch effects and toned-down 808s. Glitchy, grinding instrumentals and Powers’ nearly mumbled vocals capture the feeling of exhaustion that comes with bearing the weight of the world, much like how Gen Z often feels. We as a generation are searching for our next dose of dopamine while watching the world die around us and the people in charge do nothing about it.
“Feeling nothing even though we feel it all” is a lyric that stands out from this chorus — trapped in the despair of medications and phone addictions and somehow culpable for the woes of the world.
"Better on Mute" turns hate into armor in this self-deprecating anthem. She confidently states that she doesn't need haters to point out things she already knows, viewing it as a positive force. Terms like "cringy" and "annoying" only fuel the drive that has propelled her to where she is now.
The final line of the chorus, "I don't really need your help to put me through hell / I’ll do it myself," perfectly encapsulates the song’s message. Her own intrusive thoughts have already given her all the criticism a hater could offer, so why bother listening to them? She’s determined to handle it on her own.
It's an anthem for those who know who they are and don’t care what anyone thinks. This track, once again, brings us a touch closer to the pop-punk aesthetic fans grew to love on Red Revenge. It's perfected here with heavy and grimey soundscapes that still push forward that signature computer-generated Sophie Powers flair.
The record comes to a close with the dark pop tune “Bathroom Floor.” The track begins with a muted orchestral instrumental. The instrumentation is abruptly interrupted as Powers’ vocals blend with a more electronic beat. The track explores familiar themes, navigating the highs and lows of being a teenage pop star. It’s enjoyable and captivating, until you find yourself alone on the bathroom floor, fighting with her mind over what she wants out of her life, career and relationships. Validation comes at a cost and it's unfortunate, but is it worth it?
“Bathroom Floor” brings the record full circle. Going from the high energy glow of “Woah!!” to the subdued loneliness of “Bathroom Floor” resonates with the feeling of growing up. Sometimes solitude is necessary for personal growth.
Glitch: Lvl 1 captures the journey of this house party called life: it starts off thrilling and potentially romantic, but eventually, we find ourselves alone in the bathroom, listening to the muffled music through the door and questioning if this is the life we want. With a mix of teenage angst and genre-blending wizardry, Sophie Powers redefines conventional melody to craft a sound that is unmistakably her own.
