underscores is the recording name of April Harper Grey, an American musician based in New York. She grows up in San Francisco and starts composing and recording music at the age of six, with Skrillex among her early influences. She begins releasing music as a teenager on SoundCloud in 2013 and first gains wider recognition with the single “Mild Season” in 2015.

Releases

underscores releases several independent EPs, including skin purifying treatment in 2018, we never got strawberry cake in 2019 and character development! in 2020. In 2021 she issues her debut studio album fishmonger, which receives critical attention and includes collaborations with other artists. Later that year she releases the EP boneyard aka fearmonger.

In 2023 she releases the singles “Count of three (You can eat $#@!)”, which features co-production from Dylan Brady of 100 gecs, and “Cops and robbers”. She also releases her second studio album Wallsocket. An extended version, Wallsocket (Director’s Cut), follows and includes four new tracks, among them “My Guy (Corporate Shuffle)”, alongside “Northwest zombie girl” and other material that first appears in the ARG connected to the original album release.

She later announces her third studio album U, which includes the singles “Music”, “Do It” and “Tell Me (U Want It)”, with an additional remix of “Do It” featuring Yves.

Other projects

Grey is also a member of several electronic music groups, including six impala, Papaya & Friends, the online collective FROMTHEHEART, and curryrice with fellow six impala member Script. Under the pseudonym Milkfish, she releases experimental remixes and original tracks on SoundCloud and occasionally performs live through broadcasters such as Boiler Room.

Live activity and critical response

underscores begins touring as a headliner in 2022, and follows with another headlining tour, the Hometown Tour, in 2023. In 2022, The Atlantic describes her work as music that moves beyond conventional boundaries.

Style and labels

Her work is described as glitch hop and pop, and her listed genres also include electronic, hyperpop, indie pop, indie rock and indietronica. Her releases are associated with six impala, Corporate Rock Music, Inc., Corporate Rockmusic, Inc. and Mom+Pop.