Album Review // 100 Gecs // 10,000 Gecs
It will surprise no fan of 100 Gecs to know that the duo's latest full-length is exceedingly fun. A monolithic testament to ADHD songwriting, Dylan Brady and Laura Les are experiencing an "it" moment in the indie zeitgeist, and for good reason. Bursting onto the scene in 2019 with their debut album 1000 Gecs, their music was an explosion of sound, a hyperpop bombast blending elements of pop, punk, electronic, and hip-hop, all with a healthy sense of humor. What sets 100 Gecs apart (often a polarizing figure to some uninformed listeners) is their willingness to take risks and poke at boundaries. Their music is unabashedly goofy, with infectious hooks and earworms that stick with you long after the music has stopped. Their increased use of ska upbeats comes off as both ironic and earnest at the same time. Ska tracks like "Frog on the Floor" (trading an upstroke guitar for ribbit samples) and "I Got My Tooth Removed" serve as joyous anthems, with Les laughing during vocal takes. The more "traditional" hyperpop tracks — if that's even a thing — like "Dumbest Girl Alive," "Hollywood Baby," and the captivating early single "mememe" anchor the album while still bursting with youthful exuberance and pop experimentation, pushing the limits of modern music with a smile.
