Hopscotch Fever by Artificial Go

As pop stardom paradoxically centralizes in fewer figures as access to music expands, the commitment to the ratrace required to reach that upper echelon exponentially explodes. Boldly rebelling against this reality with pop that feels equal parts energetic and dispassionate, Hopscotch Fever by Artificial Go relishes in its lyrical absurdism and deadpan delivery alongside its excellent, catchy pop songwriting. Spiky guitar leads and wild bass riffs add a jittery edge to a strong foundation of foot-stomping drum patterns, all of which slams into a brick wall of moaning vocals and lo-fi production. Without a clear path of exit, all this pent-up energy flies out in all directions, giving this music an essential anxiety that goes beyond angst in its sheer aimlessness. Seen from this angle, the purposeful decision to dial down the vocal energy and reject the magnetic ego of stardom also acts as an arm pressing all of its weight to subdue an eruption of emotion, allowing this negativity to bubble under the surface and create fascinating textures above. As much as we play it off, the ego within us yearns for freedom.