Musical Imagery: Hyperpop and Electronic Music Scenes

September 21, 2022

The millennial generation no longer relies on traditional music theory structures to define genres. The spectrum displayed by Every Noise at Once illustrates the precarious position of music “falling out of popularity before its name has even been coined.” In today’s era, a music genre can evolve through definition and refinement within less than a decade—a process that once took traditional art movements centuries. Take Hyperpop, for instance: since its emergence in 2013, it has evolved from disruptive and avant-garde beginnings, to a more polished, commercialised form, and by 2021, transitioned into a reflective medium contemplating inner substance beyond surface appeal.

Is art inherently subjective? Hyperpop can be viewed as a microcosm of contemporary creative culture, where the seemingly chaotic pulse of popularity becomes a field for repeated experimentation. This results in a genre that fosters mutual inclusion, sampling, and fusion, ultimately reconstructing itself into a systematic aesthetic type. Alternatively, one could explore its alignment with Art-Pop, which more distinctly bridges the gap between pop culture and art—experimenting while maintaining commercial viability and defying superficiality. Such reflections provide valuable insights applicable to broader creative forms. Furthermore, by clarifying music’s image and methodically applying it to life and specific contexts, new pathways for aesthetic exploration may emerge.

Li Jing-Yan, currently pursuing a doctorate in French Literature at Sorbonne Université in Paris, has been producing the music review programme Musikorama on bilibili since 2022, introducing Chinese-speaking audiences to albums that sit at the intersection of pop and experimental music. Her nuanced understanding of genres, culture, markets, and developmental processes culminates in her programme, offering a unique and precise interpretive perspective on abstract musical landscapes.

LiaoRan Studio, founded in 2009 by Huang Bo-Han and Chiu Chun-Lin, has been a driving force in promoting electronic music in Taiwan through the lens of “sound art.” They connect music with local life, regularly releasing the LiaoRan Radio podcast on Spotify, where they explore creative topics in accessible discussions. Their involvement in party culture dates back to the Korner era, and they now perform regularly as DJs at Pawnshop, a key hub of Taipei’s party scene.

This lecture, featuring online music programme producer Li Jing-Yan, alongside Huang Bo-Han and Chiu Chun-Lin, will explore how creators utilise musical imagery to expand the logical and sensory pathways of human perception. It will also delve into how music’s evolution reflects the diversity and plurality of art as it manifests across academic, experimental, and commercial contexts.

Musikorama
Liaulian Studio
Hsing-Kai Peng

Planned and co-organized by tuanco.︎︎︎.
Opening song remix: Xíng︎︎︎.
Published: August 26, 2022. Last Updated: December 27, 2024.