EP Review: Make It Louder

Hyperpop is at a breaking point. Whilst this genre’s intentionally abrasive production once felt avant-garde and experimental in the early 2010’s, its widespread recognition after the explosion of artists like Charli XCX, Underscores and Frost Children throughout the 2020’s now makes it hard to make the music feel fresh. At its best, hyperpop pioneers pop through parody, thriving off a tongue-in-cheek approach that allows genuine sonic exploration. At its worst, it uses technology and musical convention to disguise songwriting cliche.

Auckland artist BEX sits somewhere in between with her energetic new EP Make It Louder. It’s a dramatic pivot from her previous work within the guitar-focused indie space, moving into a glittering EDM soundscape that never lets the dance party stop. The collection flows smoothly between tracks to replicate the natural feeling of a DJ set. It’s polished and dreamy, showcasing a new side to this talented creative, who has already accomplished so much at only twenty-two years old.

Make It Louder kicks off with Pretty (Tell Me That I’m), introducing a dark 2000’s beat that pulses beneath BEX’s sultry whisper. She asks her lover to remind her that the effort she puts into her looks is worth it. The lyrics are direct with a beautifully feminine touch, but at times, the genre’s classic theme of vanity does border upon repetitive.

It leads into the airy, light track I Luv My Boy, where BEX’s vocal tone sells the pure romance of the lyrics. Fans of acts like Pink Pantheress will enjoy the sweetness of this tune. The titular Make It Louder follows, incorporating bombastic basslines, eclectic samples and nostalgic 90’s pianos into a banger that the summer festival crowd will love. It’s hard not to dance along to this one when BEX promises to “make it drop”, and it gets the listener excited envisioning how she might perform something so thrilling and driven in the live space.

Perhaps the standout track on Make It Louder is The View, thanks to its distorted breakdowns and purposefully jittery, jumping melodies. Layers of warped instrumentation make the song feel highly emotional. It’s choppy, dynamic and theatrical, capturing a feeling of euphoria by building and then tearing down a digital wall of sound. It’s no coincidence that this song also feels the most original, with lyrics exploring BEX’s hustler mentality and the rise and fall of the often glamourised party girl lifestyle. The chorus soars like a night out on the town, but the fizzing, highly textured production and thick Autotune creates a sense of panic simmering just underneath.

Reply i i i and This City close off the project with more shuddering, skittering beats, opting for clean, high synth melodies that emphasise a sense of freedom. The sound is open and vast, asking the listener to “take a chance” and open their heart to the bubbling, bright world BEX’s music takes place within. Not once does BEX let the energy falter.

Make It Louder might not necessarily innovate hyperpop any further, but maybe that’s not what the genre is out to accomplish anymore. What it does do is exactly what it says on the tin. BEX has crafted a slick, cohesive collection of EDM bangers that will get you moving and cranking up the volume. It’s a promising entry into the catalogue of an artist who’s putting her musical journey on full display. After checking out Make It Louder, you’ll certainly want to see where she goes next.