Hyperpop stars of the 2019 and onwards hyperpop explosion, 100 gecs is finally back with their sophomore record, and it is absolutely not a slump. Two artist-producers who had the option of riding the same wave that they made with 1000 gecs instead chose to brew up 10 new songs that feature a lot more genre influences and sounds than their signature hyperpop flavour.
The change in sound between 1000 gecs and 10,000 gecs is one that I so greatly appreciate. Losing some of the heavily processed vocals, throwing in some distorted guitar riffs, embracing the meme culture and absurdity of their brand in full force, finding a wider range of dynamic electronic sounds, and treading in new sonic waters. Each song on this record more or less offers something unique for the listener, and the record as a whole has transcended past their hyperpop beginnings.
I think the persistent and most appealing characteristic about 100 gecs that makes this record as good or even better than their debut is their commitment to having fun. Everything that is dumb and stupid is intentional, absurdity is encouraged and fun is mandatory. In the aftermath of the hyperpop frenzy dying off, it's great that the duo weren't pressured into any expectations of their sound. Just about every track is stellar, and only because they had as much freedom to screw around with it as they did.
A lot more sonic ground gets covered in these ten tracks than last time. There's an obvious rock influence in tracks like Dumbest Girl Alive, Hollywood Baby and Billy Knows Jamie, especially with that last cut that goes from rap rock to full-blown death metal, without losing any of their sillyness. electronic explorations are super fun, now no longer conforming to their hyperpop sound. One Million Dollars has a seemingly experimental yet pretty fleshed out variety of electronic styles, 757 has some colourful synths lining the entire track, and the assortment of samples throughout the record is memefully tasteful. Of their breakout hyperpop sound, mememe is the closest to it, but even it manages to revise the sound with a rawer output.
100 gecs and their unapologetical nature is so rare to see in this day and age of music. No other name in the industry is simultaneously so talented yet so blatantly silly and deranged with their art, and it results in this mad scientist-like creativity that echoes both pure chaos and undeniable dedication. I don't even know where the ska came from, but it is needless to say that the duo continue to uphold their commitment to making fun music. One last shoutout to Frog On The Floor for being a top-tier meme song, and 10,000 gecs is officially their best work yet.
Rating: 8/10