Hyperpop is undeniably one of the biggest genres of the moment. Charli XCX’s album “Brat” just won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2025 Grammys. Even the notoriously critical Fantano rated it as the best album of 2024.
But what is Hyperpop? And what sets it apart from “mainstream” pop? That’s what we’re going to explore in this guide! 👇
What is Hyperpop?
The term Hyperpop was coined in 2019 by a Spotify playlist editor who named a playlist “Hyperpop” with artists now considered as such.
While the genre is loosely defined, Hyperpop is a high-energy, high-octane blend of pop and EDM.
Hyperpop is like turning everything to 11. Distortion? A lot of it. Autotune? Yes. Synths? Bright and over the top. However, Hyperpop also draws on genres such as Pop-Punk, Hip Hop, and even Dubstep.
The genre emerged in the late 2010s and is generally associated with A.G. Cook, the producer behind many of Charli XCX’s hits. At the time, he was behind PC Music, a London-based label.
At the time, the label specialized in an over-the-top take on pop music, with syrupy melodies and brash production. The genre quickly gained traction, in large part thanks to Soundcloud and Spotify playlists.
Here are a few examples of tracks that would be considered, even though they might sound very different:
Defining Characteristics of Hyperpop
So, what makes Hyperpop so… well, hyper? Let’s dive into everything that makes Hyperpop so unique.
1. Vocal Manipulation
Hyperpop vocals are often heavily processed, featuring pitch-shifting, harsh autotune, and formant shifting.
These effects create a synthetic and artificial sound that is instantly recognizable.
Here’s a quick example of each of these 3 effects so you can see the impact they have on a vocal. Firstly, here’s a dry vocal with no effect:
Now, let’s apply so pitch shifting to this vocal:
We can also apply autotune, which will correct the pitch of each note. This gives a “robotic” sound to a vocal when used to the extreme:
Finally, we can also use formant shifting to give character to a vocal:
If you’re looking to achieve these sorts of effects in your tracks, check out Melodyne as well as Little Alterboy.
By the way, we have a full video on formant shifting right here if you want to learn more:
2. Glitchy, Distorted Production
Many Hyperpop productions use extreme distortion as well as glitchy effects to make their tracks sound futuristic.
Check out this track by 100 gecs, which already showcases both heavily autotuned vocals and distortion:
Using synths like Serum or Massive X, producers create sharp, metallic sounds and complex textures. Resampling in particular is a key technique to achieve the choppy “stop-and-start” feel of many Hyperpop tracks.
If you’re looking to make Hyperpop yourself, check out this list of the best glitch plugins. A few of them will certainly come in handy 😉
3. Genre Fusion
Hyperpop blends elements from various genres: trap beats, EDM drops, punk-pop guitars… 100 gecs’s latest album, 10,000 gecs, is a great example of this blend of genres, often within the same song.
Combined with this, Hyperpop arrangements often defy traditional song structures. Producers will often use abrupt transitions, tempo shifts, and unexpected drops.
4. Maximalism
Everything in hyperpop is dialed up to 11. It’s about being “too much” on purpose, with clashing textures, chaotic arrangements, and over-the-top compression.
This is why Hyperpop is often considered “cartoonish”. Productions are colorful, with self-deprecating lyrics (check out Frog on the Floor by 100 gecs if you don’t believe me) and bright, saw-wave synths.
Notable Hyperpop Artists in 2025
1. 100 gecs
I mentioned 100 gecs a few times already in this post, so it only makes sense to start with them.
Dylan Brady and Laura Les’s chaotic, genre-mashing style has made them hyperpop icons. In 2023, they released 10,000 gecs, which epitomizes everything fun and crazy about Hyperpop.
2. Charli XCX
While mixing Hyperpop with more traditional pop or EDM songs, Charli XCX has been a major influence on the genre. With her recent wins at the Grammys 2025 for her album Brat and her track Von Dutch, she is largely responsible for bringing Hyperpop to the masses.
3. SOPHIE
A major figure in the emergence of Hyperpop until her passing in 2021, SOPHIE was known for her very experimental productions and aesthetics.
Her album “OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES” was nominated as best Electronic/Dance album at the 2018 Grammy’s, and is definitely worth a listen.
Hyperpop: Final Thoughts
It’s hard to say how long this brand of Hyperpop will continue. However, because it is so open to blending genres, it is likely to continue to evolve and absorb new genres.
Likewise, elements of Hyperpop have already made their way into other genres such as Metal with for example Bring Me the Horizons’s latest album.
But that’s it for this guide. Hopefully, you now have a better feel for what Hyperpop is! If you’re looking to start making your first Hyperpop tracks (or any other electronic music genre), make sure to check out our free Masterclass below to get started 👇
