The second album, “Fishmonger,” from April Harper Gray, better known as the hyperpop act Underscores, is a much lighter album than her more recent “Wallsocket,” but it still hits with consistent new sounds and frequent and excellent use of audio samples.

The album plays with lots of sounds, from the opener “70%” utilizing pounding drums and reverb to create a punk atmosphere while blending the hyperpop sound, to the track “Bozo bozo bozo,” a song instrumentally composed of an acoustic guitar and an electronic trap beat.

Thematically, the songs cover a lot of ground as well. “The fish song” is the true story of a genetically unique fish raised by a farmer only to be accidentally killed by scientists during a research project gone wrong. Meanwhile, “Spoiled little brat” is an upbeat, Avril Lavigne-inspired track about being a teen pop star.

Overall, despite being only 33 minutes, this album does a lot with its time, establishing Underscores not only as an up-and-comer, but an artist that is an important focal point for the hyperpop genre. This album would be a great recommendation to anyone who likes 100 gecs, who she toured with in 2021, or Porter Robinson, who she is currently touring with.

Rating: 9/10