Hey, pop lovers—remember when hyperpop felt like this glitchy secret club, all distorted vocals and candy-coated rebellion? Yeah, well, buckle up because LIZ just crashed the party with "Likey," a track that's basically Brat summer reimagined in soft-focus pinks and blues. If you're scrolling TikTok late at night, craving that perfect mix of earworm hooks and "wait, did she just shade everyone?" vibes, this is your anthem. Dropped hot on the heels of her SOPHIE collab "Sunscreen," "Likey" isn't just a single—it's LIZ reminding us why she's been quietly architecting the future of pop for a decade. Let's dive in, shall we? Because trust me, once that thumping bass hits, you're not scrolling anymore.
Picture this: You're at a neon-lit rave in 2005, but everyone's got AR filters and ironic thigh-highs. That's the world "Likey" drops you into—thumping bass that rattles your chest like a sugar crash, dreamy harp flourishes that sparkle like fairy lights on a glitchy synth bed. And oh, that hook? "Likey, likey, likey"—it's repetitive in the best way, the kind that burrows into your brain and refuses to leave, turning your morning commute into an involuntary karaoke sesh. LIZ's vocals are the real magic here: she flits from cheeky rap cadences (think Doja Cat with a wink) to bubblegum melodies that drip with kawaii sweetness, all layered over this undercurrent of angsty tension. It's playful sass meets emotional edge—like biting into a lollipop and finding a razor blade of realness inside. Co-written with Jimmy Harry (the guy behind Madonna's bangers and Kylie Minogue's glossy anthems), "Likey" feels polished yet unhinged, a hyperpop bop that's equal parts chaos and catchiness.
What I love most? It doesn't try to fit in—it carves its own glittery lane. In a year where hyperpop's exploding everywhere from Charli XCX's sweat-drenched club nights to PinkPantheress's whispery TikTok takeovers, LIZ isn't chasing the wave; she's the one who's been paddling it out since her Mad Decent days. Dubbed the "First Lady of Mad Decent" by Diplo himself, she's blended Y2K nostalgia with underground pulse for nearly ten years now—think future-kitsch R&B fused with '90s/00s pop sorcery. Her visuals? Equally iconic: trippy, experimental clips that scream "come as you are" in the loudest, pinkest font. And let's talk collabs—SOPHIE's ghostly genius on "Sunscreen," nods from Charli XCX, Dylan Brady, Kim Petras, even Azealia Banks. This isn't some overnight TikTok fluke; it's billions of listens translating to millions of streams, because LIZ's sound sticks. She's got that Guardian "One to Watch" stamp, plus shoutouts from Pitchfork, Billboard, The FADER, PAPER, i-D, Stereogum, Clash, Complex, Notion, and MTV. Underground pop princess? Nah, she's the queen who's been building her empire in the shadows, one saucy synth at a time.
Tying into bigger vibes, "Likey" lands right as we're all knee-deep in this hyperpop renaissance—where artists like FKA Twigs are twisting R&B into ethereal knots, Shygirl's dropping bass bombs that echo in your dreams, and even Britney Spears stans are rediscovering that early-2000s sparkle. It's no coincidence; with TikTok algorithms favoring these short-burst bops, LIZ's glitchy joy is primed to go viral again. Listeners digging this might vibe with Slayyyter's synth-pop sleaze, MARINA's theatrical flair, Addison Rae's fresh-faced edge, Tove Lo's sultry confessions, Miley Cyrus's wild reinventions, ARCA's avant-garde twists, or Camila Cabello's glossy hooks. But here's the thing: LIZ doesn't mimic. Her pop is stranger, prettier, saucier—joyfully self-assured in a way that feels like a middle finger to cookie-cutter charts. In an industry still grappling with post-pandemic reinvention, tracks like this push the weird, wonderful edge forward, proving hyperpop isn't a phase; it's the blueprint.
If you're an artist grinding in the indie trenches, dreaming of that big stream surge, let me let you in on a game-changer: DistroKid. It's the no-fuss way to beam your tracks straight to Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond, keeping 100% of your royalties while you focus on the art. And hey, snag a sweet 7% off your first year with this link—it's like free glitter for your hustle: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/2058328. LIZ built her buzz the hard way; why not make yours a little easier?
So, spill in the comments: What's your take on "Likey"—total earworm or hyperpop perfection? Craving more LIZ, or got a rec for the next underground gem? Hit play, share this if it sparked joy, and let's keep the convo popping. Who's ready for her to take over 2025?
