underscores goes pop on “U”

April Harper Grey, professionally known as underscores, has been a popular figure in the online spaces of music for a good time. She competed in the 2016 Monstercat Mix Contest, and placed second. While releasing EPs throughout the years, she was getting more and more popular with each release.

She released her 2021 debut album “fishmonger,” with musicians from Lido, glaive, and even Travis Baker of Blink-182 taking notice. Then she released her sophomore album “Wallsocket” in 2023, getting more traction towards her name. And with the release of her new album “U,” she’s only been getting bigger in popularity. “U” combines 2010s pop music with her own twist to it, showcasing more of her song writing, production, and her great singing voice.

One of my personal favorites is “Do It,” this track is very reminiscent of 2010s Timbaland production, mixing pop, R&B, and electronic genres together. In this track, underscores is negotiating a contract for a romantic relationship, stating questions such as “What are your prospects? Do you make your own cash? What kind of car you drive?”

“Innuendo (I Get U),” another favorite of mine, is a track about trying to keep a relationship more casual when you are attracted to someone. Despite knowing the person’s motives and seeing right through them, she still decides to play along with it because she is strongly attracted to them. While also giving out innuendos of her own, “You don’t gotta talk to me, I know what you want from me,” and “Sometimes I feel like I’m a knockout, but I’m way too easy of a target now.” 

Track four on this album, “The Peace,” is a song about changing how you act just to keep someone in your life, even though it’s only hurting the both of you. It’s kind of similar to Jason Derulo’s “Whatcha Say,” with stripped back vocal chops and harmonies leading the song. I personally feel like that’s what makes this song lack something from the others, but it was still pretty good regardless.

And while “U” is a more minimalist switch up from her 2023 album “Wallsocket,” it definitely brings something fantastic to this year of pop music. I think underscores captured that 2010s pop vibe perfectly well, and I can’t wait to see what underscores will bring to the table in the future.