“1000 gecs” stands as the inaugural studio album from the American hyperpop duo, 100 gecs, a musical journey unleashed on May 31, 2019, via Dog Show Records. The release followed the premiere of the lead single, “Money Machine,” just two days prior.
Critics embraced the album’s experimental, genre-blurring sound, which merited its place on numerous “Best Albums of 2019” lists. Subsequently, remixed and reimagined versions of the original tracks emerged as part of the follow-up remix album, “1000 gecs and the Tree of Clues” (2020).
Musical Diversity
“1000 gecs” is a genre-defying creation, with Pitchfork labeling it as “experimental pop” and Sputnik dubbing it “bubblegum bass.” This album, as noted by Will Pritchard of The Independent, exemplifies the pinnacle of the 2010s “hyperpop” style. It does so by pushing the boundaries to deliver a captivating fusion of elements, including stadium-sized trap beats, overwrought emo vocals, and a cascade of rave-inspired arpeggios. Various tracks or segments of the album are reminiscent of post-dubstep, indie pop, pop punk, trance, chiptune, happy hardcore, hip hop, synth-pop, ska, and Europop. Notably, the song “xXXi_wud_nvrstøp_ÜXXx” incorporates an interpolation of “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” by Soulja Boy, and the album’s cover art prominently features the 100 gecs Tree.
Promotion and Noteworthy Tracks
The journey began with the release of the single “Money Machine” on May 29, 2019, supported by a visually engaging version on YouTube. This track swiftly became the duo’s most acclaimed and recognized work. On June 13, 2019, an official music video for “Money Machine” was unveiled, further solidifying its popularity.
In June 2019, the band introduced official merchandise for the album through the Dog Show Records website. An official music video for the track “800dB Cloud” was released on July 25, 2019, followed by the debut of the video for “Hand Crushed by a Mallet” on October 9, 2020, over a year later.
In August 2019, 100 gecs made the album’s instrumentals, stems, and a cappella vocals available for free download, further engaging with their fanbase and fostering creativity around their unique sound.
