Digicore
Digicore, a vibrant offshoot of hyperpop, is characterized by its maximalist, often chaotic soundscapes, featuring heavily distorted vocals, glitchy electronic textures, and high-energy rhythms that blend elements of EDM, pop, and lo-fi aesthetics. Emerging in the late 2010s, it draws heavily from the experimental spirit of PC Music, further incorporating influences from emo, rock, electro, and hip-hop to create a distinct, internet-native sonic identity. Key artists like glaive, ericdoa, and osquinn are central to defining the genre's energetic and often emotionally charged output. Digicore often explores themes of digital life and youth culture, resonating deeply within online communities.
More about Digicore
Digicore is a microgenre at the intersection of hip-hop and electronic music, born in the late 2010s within Internet community spaces — Discord servers, SoundCloud, Minecraft communities. Originally dubbed 'draincore' in reference to the Swedish collective Drain Gang (Bladee, Ecco2K, Thaiboy Digital), the term 'digicore' was coined around 2019 by artist lonelee and further popularised in 2021 by Billie Bugara's SoundCloud playlist of the same name. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as an accelerant: teenagers in lockdown produced music networked together, birthing a sound as intimate as it is frenetic. A sub-genre of the Electronic family, digicore maintains close ties with Bass Music.
Musically, digicore is defined by heavy autotune, layered pluggnb melodies, high-pitched breathy vocals, sing-rapping, sharp 808s, and relentless hi-hats. Tracks are short and hook-forward, featuring bitcrushed or clipped textures, stutter edits, and a deliberately digital aesthetic — processing artefacts are displayed, not hidden. Where Alternative Dance values groove, digicore prioritises emotional saturation and digital immediacy, distinct from the airier Ambient Pop.
Today's scene is led by artists who emerged directly from this internet culture. 2hollis, with 8 festival appearances, stands as the genre's leading figure, blending experimental rap with glitched textures. Jane Remover, a central figure who has evolved towards avant-garde indie rock, continues to embody the creative vitality of this movement. Lucy Bedroque represents the European expansion of digicore, carrying a distinctive and offbeat personal sound.
FestT lists 14 digicore festivals, often embedded within alternative and avant-garde electronic programmes. Also explore Alternative Dance to grasp the stylistic kinship of this genre in full ferment.