Twisted Metal

Meet the women who are revolutionalizing the genre

by: Taylor Jacobs & Anna Minasyan

With the emergence of new artists veering away from the constructs of existing genres, categorizing these new sounds that blend metal, pop and EDM among other sounds, is no longer a straightforward task. In cases where the artist is the only one to define their own genre, the task of labeling them becomes even more unclear. What makes it so difficult comes down to the ever-changing relationship these artists share with their sounds. This ambiguous genre has been referred to as “post-genre,” “death pop” or “nu-metal,” however, even these titles seem too limiting when describing artists at the experimental forefront. Artists and listeners alike begin to question if labeling these “genres” are even relevant anymore considering the pace of their evolutions. The most dominating sound introduced in these genres is metal. Heavy guitar riffs, strong bass, drums and the occasional screams morphed with pop and EDM make for stimulating аnd powerful songs. Notably, artists such as 100 Gecs propelled this trend in their debut album, 1000 Gecs, and their remix album, 1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues. “800db cloud” from 1000 Gecs features heavily distorted guitar and vocals that echo classic metal with their distinctly hyper-pop sound. From 1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues, the “hand crushed by a mallet” (remix) [ft. Fall Out Boy and Craig Owens] pulls in distinct guitar riffs and screaming vocals reminiscent of the early 2000s metalcore sound. The “ringtone” (remix) [ft. Charli XCX, Rico Nasty, and Kero Kero Bonito] combines Rico Nasty’s metal-influenced vocals with Charli XCX’s bubbly rendition of the chorus. Other artists such as Grimes and HANA took a similar approach to incorporate metal influences in their 2018 single “We Appreciate Power.” The single includes Nine Inch Nails samples, piercing screams, and a classic metal guitar chug woven into its dark, dystopian lyrics. For these artists, it’s clear that metal influences served as one of many experimental approaches to breaking away from genre labels. Heavy guitar riffs and vocals have made their way into projects regardless of their artistic intentions. With the release of her second studio album I Disagree, Poppy surprised listeners with metal instrumentals and fierce lyrical imagery that starkly contrast her light-hearted and upbeat pop albums. Even looking at her macabre cover art one could guess that I Disagree is heavily influenced by metal, however; some songs weave in and out of metal and pop. The best example of this genre weaving is in her single “Concrete” where the song rapidly changes from screaming or speedy electric guitar to a playful tune about ice-cream, sugar and coffee. Towards the end of the song applause and crowds chanting “Poppy! Poppy!” precede an upbeat chorus “Bury me six feet deep and just bury me in concrete turn me into a street.” The mismatching in melody and lyrical content perhaps shows her feelings towards her initial success with her pop album and strange online persona that garnered millions of views. Each song on the album explores and morphs the genres listed above showing Poppy’s divergence from her strictly pop sound before I Disagree. In a 2019 NME interview, Poppy says that she likes to refer to her new sound as “post-genre” even though most people categorize it as metal. Poppy has undoubtedly succeeded in breaking away from distinct genre categorization. She is not limiting herself because she is proving that she is capable of

mastering more than one sound and beyond that, creating a new one. While her motivations to do so attest to her artistic capabilities, it also signifies her regained control over her sound. On December 29, 2019, Poppy released a statement confirming her separation from longtime music partner, Titanic Sinclair, citing instances of emotional abuse. In her statement, she wrote, “I was trapped in a mess that I needed to dig my way out of - and like I always do, I figured out a way to handle it.” I Disagree, fully released the following month, proves that Poppy did just that. The album’s second single and namesake, “I Disagree,” includes some of her most powerful statements. In a catchy chorus driven by a heavy guitar riff, Poppy sings, “Down, let it all burn down,” soon transitioning into the second verse, rightfully screaming, “I disagree with the way you continue to pressure me! / I disagree everything is going how it’s meant to be!” In ten metal-driven songs, Poppy duly voices her rage through I Disagree and gives herself a new image free from the painful influences of her past.

There’s a lot to be angry about in this world; for “ me, raging against microaggressions and satirising them worked with the whole genre “

Rina Sawayama’s debut album SAWAYAMA similarly spins metal influences into a cathartic voice that’s not afraid of being angry– and loud. Backed by moments of grungy guitar and screaming vocals fused with upbeat pop rhythms, Rina’s lyrics explore the pain rooted in family history, facing years of microaggressions, and the struggle to find self-worth. Regarding the nu-metal sound of her music– roughly defined here as a mid-90s subgenre of metal-influenced pop– Rina stated, “There’s a lot to be angry about in this world; for me, raging against microaggressions and satirising them worked with the whole genre.” Her angstiest song on the album, “STFU!” features blaring electric guitar progressions that lead into a mockingly peppy chorus of the repeated lyrics,

Through metal-driven vocals and clear lyrical “ messages, Rina reclaims her once suppressed anger and gives it a rightful place in the music world. “

“Shut the fuck up / Have you ever thought about taping your big mouth shut?” Rina shared that this song discusses her lifelong struggle to confront her aggressors, instead resorting to bottling up her emotions. In “STFU!” Through metal-driven vocals and clear lyrical messages, Rina reclaims her once suppressed anger and gives it a rightful place in the music world. Each artist uniquely uses the elements of metal and its connotations to shape their sound. For artists like 100 Gecs, their use of metal is purely a form of genre blending for their own satirical purposes. For artists like Poppy and Sawayama, it is a manifestation of their traumas and anger. Each artist has used these metal influences to break away from the preconceived notions of the genres they have been grouped into, and created a sound that can only be defined by them.