Is Digi-Pop the Newest Hyperpop Wave?
How Pupsies' debut chart hit "Misery" could be leading the charge.
Pupsies, a 19-year-old singer from North Carolina, has been creating digital-sounding music since 2023. Her song "Misery," released in March, has become a viral hit, taking her to the Billboard Hot 100 No. 50. The song, which features a buzzing synth-bass and lo-fi melody, showcases Pupsies' emotional vulnerability, as well as a dramatic guitar hook from her co-producer Goetia.
The track's rise to mainstream success is attributed to its appearance on TikTok, where it was used in animation edits and earned a "LARP" (live action role playing) association. Hyperpop, a subgenre that emerged nearly a decade ago, has undergone many changes but retains its frenetic energy, emotional expression, and DIY aesthetic.
With "Misery," the genre may enter its next phase this fall, as more people are online and the internet is more intertwined with real life. Pupsies, however, doesn't listen to the genre she creates, stating that she prefers mixing various music styles into her productions.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
