Hey [First name] [First name]!
SEIDS here with your weekly creative challenge from Fadr.
Have you ever listened to Charli XCX, SOPHIE, or Kim Petras and thought, “How did they even make that sound?”
Hyperpop takes everything we know about pop music and makes it bigger, louder, weirder, and way more fun.
The synths are detuned. The bass is massive. The drums sound like they are exploding. The vocals are pitched, chopped, and distorted until they barely sound human.
Basically, there are no rules.
So, are you ready for this week’s challenge?
THIS WEEK’S CREATIVE CHALLENGE:
Make a hyperpop song!
You can start a brand new song or open an unfinished project and turn it into something completely different.
Here are four tips to help you get started:
1. Write a synth hook that gets stuck in your head
Your synth can have a hook just like your vocals.
Start with a short, catchy melody. Then make it a little weird. Detune a few notes, add some pitch glides, or play around with chorus, bit crushing, distortion, and reverb.
Hot tip... try prompting Siren with “detuned hyperpop synth lead with a funky, simple melody” and see what it gives you!
2. Make the bass HUGE
A hyperpop bass should feel like it is rattling your entire body.
Try layering a deep 808 or sub bass with a higher, distorted bass. The low layer gives you that deep, powerful low end, while the distorted layer adds all the buzz and crunch.
Play them together and see how much bigger your bass sounds.
3. Use weird sounds as drums
This is where you can have so much fun.
Layer your kick with a stomp. Add a metallic hit to your snare. Turn a random noise, impact, or sound effect into part of your beat.
If you are asking yourself, “Is this a drum or a sound effect?” you are doing it right.
4. Go crazy with your vocals
Pitch one vocal up really high and another one way down low. Chop the ends off words. Add distortion. Draw in weird pitch curves. Make your voice sound like a robot, an alien, or something we have never heard before.
This is not the time to make your vocals sound natural. Get weird with it!
You do not have to use every idea in this email. Pick the one that sounds the most fun and see where it takes you this week.
If you want to see exactly how to do all of this, watch the free video on our YouTube channel. The amazing producer Alina Smith breaks down the synths, bass, drums, and vocal effects you can use to make your own hyperpop track.
If you finish your song, upload a clip to Instagram and tag @fadrmusic for a chance to win a free year of Fadr Plus!
Go make something, and don’t overthink it!
See you next week,
SEIDS + the Fadr team
P.S. Want to know what is actually happening inside your favorite hyperpop songs? Upload one to Fadr Stems and separate the synths, bass, drums, and vocals. Listen to each part on its own and use what you discover as inspiration for your track.
