- This is dark pop?! - I'm bludnymph,
and I'm reacting to dark pop. - What is dark pop?
- What's dark pop, bro? - What is dark pop?
- Huh?
- Ms. Melanie Martinez! - I feel like I've been here before.
- The visuals are so-- - This is where I came from.
- Oh my god. What the-- what the--
what-- what-- wha-- - Beni, I don't know what's happening!
- I wonder how long it takes to, like...
- The prosthetic? - This whole situation.
- Oh, I love the aesthetic here! - How do you breathe?
I love it. - I don't think you do.
- This is like an after party, you show up and you're like,
"What the?" - The production!
- It's something you would find in the back room in Los Angeles.
- Yeah, yeah. - (React laughs) Oh my god.
- Oh this is fantasy to the max. - Whimsical!
- I like that a lot. - Alice in Wonderland-core, maybe?
- Oh, this is so good. I think she's an actual artist too
'cause she mixes Lady Gaga and the breathy vocals as well
and then the production of Billy Eilish.
- Her visuals were heavily influenced by Tim Burton, actually.
- I could see that. - Ooh.
- I could see that. - Yes.
- (React) She said her biggest dream is to make a movie with him.
- There we go. - And she describes her own music
as very dark and honest and hip-hop trap-inspired beats
with creepy, nostalgic, childlike sound.
Would you check out Melanie Martinez?
- I already did check out Melanie Martinez!
- (laughs) Beni! - ♪ Is it by mistake or design? ♪
- Okay, they're really getting it on on the car.
- (laughs) We love a good car moment.
- Bro, that's my dream right there, man.
- Yeah. - You and me.
- (both laugh) - You just hold me
on the hood, Beni. - On a car, bro. Yeah, dude.
- Okay, do you remember when those red Converse
were the moment? - Yes.
- I had them. - I kind of want a new pair.
Oh, and the flower crowns. I used to make those.
They're So tumblr. - She is moody to me.
- In a really hot way. - Oh, god. Whoa!
- Oh my god. We're getting very sexy!
- This is a lot of-- oh, wow. Okay. - I love the floral situation.
That's hot. - (React) When would you listen
to this? - Like, I've broken up
with somebody and I'm really freakin' pissed.
- (React) Why do you think that Lana Del Rey connects
with so many people? - Oh, 'cause (splutters),
you know? - Yeah, exactly.
- And her music is really emotionally-- you know, you felt it.
- I felt like we were in that car, Beni.
- (React) Do you think Lana Del Rey is a freak in the sheets?
- Lana Del Rey is a total freak. She just showed us a tiny splash
of that in her music video. - "I consider the record
an homage to true love lost and a tribute to living life
on the wild side. This track and the record
are about these two worlds. Death and love coming together."
- Depression, babe. - Yeah!
- Wow. - Like a flower.
In Japanese, they have a word for it. I think it's called 'aware.'
It's like the destruction of beauty or something like that.
- Again, scared of her childhood. - ♪ Pity the men I know ♪
- (both sing along) ♪ So you're a tough guy ♪
♪ Like it really rough guy ♪ - ♪ Just can't get enough guy ♪
- Oh, here it is again. - This is dark pop?!
- This is honestly Billie happy. It's quite a moment.
- Big fun. Big fun. A lot of release.
- Ah. Ah. - Uh, uh, uh.
- I wasn't expecting this one. - You should do push-ups on me.
Should we do it? - "Wearing your cologne."
Jack, get on the table! I'm gonna sit on you!
- (all laugh) - (React) Who was that?
- (both) Billie! - (React) Describe her aesthetic
for me, KYA. - Dark pop.
- (Izzy) Yeah! - Yeah, she's just a little bit weird
with everything, which I like. - Quirky?
- It's still something that's accessible for the people,
but just like a little bit off. - (React) Why do you think
she's dark pop? - Probably the lyrics
that we have no idea about again. - Yeah.
- Because we weren't paying attention. - 'Cause we're just like...
♪ (Billie Eilish, "Bad Boy") ♪ - I understood that she had a lot
of body issues that she never really expressed.
And then she started talking about it and that's why she wears
really baggy T-shirts and stuff. - (React) Yeah, Billie Eilish,
she talks about a lot of contrasting themes in her music.
- Well, yes, the music video was also very contrasting.
- Yeah. - I feel like she just doesn't
want labels. She's like, "Don't put me in a box.
I'm gonna be what I am." And that's kinda cool.
- This is TikTok. Like, she's made for TikTok.
- This is moody. This is dark. - ♪ La la la ♪
- This song does feel like this. - Oh, she-- I love her fit, man.
And her hair? Oh, she's gone all in.
- The moves are there. - ♪ La la la la la ♪
- I don't even wanna dance. You just feel.
- She kinda looks like her voice. - (as Grimes) ♪ La la la ♪
- Yeah. Yeah. (laughs) - I haven't watched this video
in so long. - I've never seen the video.
♪ (dramatic chord) ♪ - (man) Nani?!
- Ahhh. - (React) So, do your best impression
of what you just heard.
- ♪ La la la ♪ - ♪ La la la la ♪
♪ La la la la la ♪ - ♪ (both sing gibberish) ♪
♪ You never had a clue ♪ - ♪ La la la la la ♪
- ♪ La la la ♪ - (React) This is "Oblivion" by Grimes
from-- do you guys know what year this came out?
- Roscoe? - (unintelligible whispering)
- Yeah. Say it to the camera. He's nervous.
- (React) What is the song about? - Must be about love.
Must be about love. - (React) The song is
about violent assault. - Oh my god! We were so wrong!
- (laughs) We're like... - Oh.
- Right. Of course. - Yeah. Roscoe said that.
- She writes about the song, "The song is more about
empowering myself physically amongst a masculine power,
and the hate of feeling powerless, making light of masculine power,
making it jovial and non-threatening."
So, you kind of see that in the music video, right?
Like-- - 'Cause she's la-la-la-ing?
- Yeah. - There's a lot of, like,
overdeveloped, immature masculinity going on, you know?
- (React) Yeah. - ♪ I... ♪
- She's always got that rubber band sound, I feel like.
- ♪ So unstable, fucking hate these people ♪
- They got a car tied up. - ♪ (imitates beat) ♪
- She is the queen of the clubs. I wanna DANCE to her music
all day long. - I remember seeing this video,
but I don't remember the song. Is that bad?
- (React) No. - I'm gay. I should mention.
- Ayyyy! That's hot! - Oh, snap! Yo!
- Bro. Pray, bro. - Let's go!
- (both scream) - Oh! To-- wow, butts. Butts!
- It's so much butt. - Butts!
- Wait, what's the message here? - (sings along) ♪ So when I walk away,
it's not your fault ♪ - (both sing along) ♪ I always
let the good ones go ♪ - We were talking about dark pop
being about contrasting. That's very contrasting!
- The way it switched halfway through made me go, "Oh!"
- (React) I know! - Amazing.
- (React) Charli XCX. - I love that screams.
- No. - (React) Have you heard
of Charli XCX? - (both) Yes!
- (React) That's her!
- Ahhh. - No way!
- Charli's music has been described as dark wave and witch house,
which is basically electric-- - Witch house?
- Are you kidding? I love that. Witch house.
- Witch house. - (React laughs) Yeah.
- Which house? - Witch house.
- Charli once said that the best artists are the ones
who constantly change. - I love that. Good stuff.
- Who does it well, I think, is Lady Gaga.
- Yes! She does a great evolution. - She does a great job of evolving.
- Artists that constantly change. (crickets chirp)
- (React) Well, first, say Lady Gaga and get really excited
that you came up with that. - Yo! Lady Gaga's
always changing, dude. That's why it's Lady Gaga.
I'm like, "Oh, Gaga." - ♪ I know you won't let me OD ♪
- All of these songs have a mild sort of nostalgic synth vibe to them.
- Oh, The Weeknd. - We got a boy!
- We got a boy!! - He does give me dark vibes.
- Oh, this is giving very much '80s dark Pet Shop Boys.
- Wow. - He went a whole year looking
like that on every red carpet. - They have that sort of, like,
old retro synth sound underneath it all.
- (React) Why do you think he's considered dark pop?
- I think his is more the visuals. - There was some torturedness,
and it was sexy. - (React) Mmm.
- Yeah. Sexy sadness. - That whole music video was dark.
I couldn't see anything, dude. It was dark.
- He's a pop singer. The visuals are dark and creepy
and have a dark message. - (React) Wait, why are so many
dark pop artists from Canada? - What's going on in Canada?
- It's cold up there. - Okay, that's honestly really fair.
- (React) And the reason he is considered dark pop is because
several of his music videos depict violence.
- Yeah. He also talks a lot about kind of losing control or--
most artists are talking about their issues,
but it's also that paired with the visuals.
- Oh. - Shirtless men. Blood.
- Being sexy in a coffin is very dark pop.
- They have a lot of casket stuff, man.
- You really have to shave a lot in order to pull this look off.
- Oh! - Ohhh.
- Come on, Kim. (claps) - Yes.
- (Izzy) Rotation. - Yeah.
- Everyone's dealing a lot with death, man.
- Kim Petras is so interesting to me. My hairdresser loves Kim Petras,
so every time I get my hair cut, all I hear is Kim Petras.
- (React) You don't know who Kim Petras is.
- She always says it like that,
like we're supposed to know. - I know, dude.
I know Kim Possible. - Kim loves to play
with dark themes. She even has an entire album
called "Turn Off the Light." - Now that's dark.
- (React) With songs like "Death By Sex," "Transylvania,"
and "Boo! Bitch." - That sounds like it's right
up my alley. - (React) Right?
- Right up my dark alley. ♪ (rim shot) ♪
- (React) She is the first openly transgender solo artist
to reach number one in the United States.
♪ (upbeat dance music) ♪ - Trans rights.
- ♪ I'm no prey, but I am pursued ♪
- Wow, she's doing Teletubbies right. - Ah. I wanna do a song
with her one day. - This girl's name is Ashnikko?
- (React) Yes! - Let's go! This girl's really good.
- She is so weird! - ♪ I'm crazy, but... ♪
- Oh, [censored]! - I want that costume!
- She's like sexy Teletubbies. - Dude, I love this track, dude.
- Oh, I've heard this song. - (React) So, where have you heard
this song? - All over TikTok.
- (React) This is Ashnikko. This song is called "Daisy."
She described her style of music as angry, punk, hip-hop,
sad girl feminist, bubblegum, poo-poo music.
- Poo-poo is so funny. - I love that.
- Poo-poo is SO funny. - That feels right.
- Okay. All right. So-- okay. - Accurate.
Ashnikko, you're right on the dot. - Wow!
- I kind of like poo-poo. - Poo-poo music is a mixture
of many things, like mix it up like poo.
- We could use a different visual, though!
- (React) Would you like a chance to tell us what you feel
about Ashnikko? - Ashnikko is a sexy,
gay alien that came from the center of the Earth
to change the world with goop. - Work.
- Really? I feel angelic right now. - How is she not covered
in bruises? (laughs) - Whoaaa!
- That's so impressive! - Honestly, cellophane will always,
always hurt me in places it doesn't have any right to be.
- Yo, massive respect for pole dancers, by the way.
- Yo, for real. - They are SO strong.
- No! That was rude.
- I feel like we're going on a journey right now.
- Immediately think of the meme. - (both sing along) ♪ Why don't I
do it for you? ♪ - Come on, Borzoi moment.
- (React) Have you guys ever pole danced?
- Yes. - (React) And?
- (laughs) - Yeah.
- No-- yes! I have. - Uhhhh...
In, like, a party bus. - Yes.
- Oh my god. It's a lot of fun,
and it's a lot of work. And it hurts a lot.
- We went to an event, and there was a pole randomly there.
And Jack had never pole danced before and I was like, "Get it!"
- Just like dark pop. Everything hurts,
but it feels beautiful. - Whoa!
- I know a few moves. - Ooh!
Bring in the pole! - (React) So, her music has
been described as darkly avant-garde, aggressive, and atmospheric.
What do those words mean to you? - Atmospheric is in it.
And I feel like it's something you're immersed in.
- (React) Her performance style has been described as porno chic
and said it refuses to conform to standard norms of heterosexual beauty.
- Avant-garde porn? - (React) Yeah.
- I'm just trying to-- - (Beni and React laugh)
- ♪ I can't turn off... ♪ - I feel like I'm being
hypnotized right now, though. - I love that this is a music video.
- She's hypnotizing me. - Oh, it's hands!
- I'm confused. - ♪ I can't turn off
what turns me on ♪ - Wow.
(sings along) ♪ Seduction ♪ - It's like this?
- Seduction. Mass seduction! - So, the world exploded
and this is what I'm doing. - (React) So, this song's
called "Masseduction" by St. Vincent
if you've heard this one. - Oh, yes, I've heard
of St. Vincent. Yes. - St. Vincent sounds-- yes.
- (React) This is St. Vincent. - St. Vincent?
- Oh, I've heard of them! - de Paul? No.
(laughs) What a good Catholic.
- (React) Her lyrics teeter between happiness and madness.
Do you feel that? - Sure.
- Yeah, just a little bit. Maybe not so much.
- (React) Yeah, so St. Vincent's music has been noted for its wide array
of instruments and complex arrangements,
as well as its polysemous lyrics. - That's why I was probably confused.
I just didn't understand what she was saying
versus what I'm seeing. - Jack's like, "Which meaning
are we on right now?" - I was just like, "Hmm...
Interesting." - But were you feeling the song?
- (whispers) Not at all. - Really?!
- When I have an obsession, I'm gonna be like, "Yeah,
I wanna write something polysemous." - Oh my god.
- And they're gonna think I know what I'm doing.
- Aren't all songs kind of like that in a way?
- ♪ Or just lonely for me? ♪ - Wow. This reminds me of IMVU.
- This is giving AI creepiness. - This is-- wait.
- They look glossy. - It's just-- it's like glossy,
hypersexual AI. - We should've pulled up like that.
- Wow, it's very glossy, man. I don't know how I feel about this.
- Super glossy. - Are we in Metallica area?
- That's what I was getting too. - Moved into, like, screamy.
- Oh, this makes me wanna yell. - Right? The feminine urge to scream!
- They're really yelling here, man. - Long, long fingers.
- Wow. If there is a spectrum, we are like WAY over
on the one side right now. - Love girl screamers.
Screamos. Screamies. I was in a screamo band
back in the day. - You were?
- Unfortunately. - What do you mean unfortunately?
- I was a scene kid and I wasn't good.
- (React) So, this is Maggie Lindemann and Siiickbrain. Are you scared?
- Terrified! - Oh! She used to be
a pop singer. - It was in junior high.
Have that context. Have that context.
- (React) Is it somewhere on the internet?
- Probably an old Nokia phone somewhere in my parents' house.
- (React, sadly) Aww. - I was not scared
until the screaming part. Then I got scared.
- (React) KYA, would you ever scream? - I was screaming the other day
in my session. - (React gasps)
- (screams softly) - He's terrified. I'm turned on.
We're going to the next one. - Dude, I was kind of turned on too!
- ♪ Me and you wasted ♪ ♪ Mini waist, pretty face, uh ♪
- Oh, that's you. - Ohhh, who is that?!
- Love that fit, bruh. - You apparently need to be
on a pole in this genre. - Same.
- The pole. - The pole?
- The pole! - Dark pop.
- Oh, slay. - Strength.
- Wow! - It's coming off.
It's happening. - Seriously, we're talking
multitalent here. All these women can get on a pole--
oh, take-- - ♪ Got a papercut ♪
- She's got fantasy vibes. - She's got more fantasy,
fae vibes with the ears. - Dark fantasy vibes?
- Yes! Jiggle it! - (React) The message
of this song, she is a sexy siren
that just came up from the sea and-- - Okay, I got that vibe.
_ (React) You got that? - I very much did.
- (React) Okay, good! - Mainly because I'm seduced.
I am now seduced. - (React) What is this song about?
- This song is about an evil, sexy siren stripper,
who uses her magical mermaid siren powers
to steal everyone's money. - She is in some
suggestive juices. - (React) Izzy, how does this song
make you feel? - Slay.
And a little gay. - Aww, thanks.
- A little gay. - (React) What's your final thoughts?
- Adding to the playlist. Period. (laughs)
What I've learned from dark pop is visuals and the song
is very important and the message. It's just like,
you have to be a full artist to be dark pop.
- For my actual music style and what I do, I like
to experiment and do a lot of different things,
'cause I have like four different ingredients,
and all my music is a little bit dark,
a little bit magic, a little bit silly,
and a little bit sexy. - (React) All right, would you
check out more of bludnymph? - Yes.
Yes, I would. - Absolutely.
- Well, I have a new sexy summer bop,
called "Popsicle." - Ooh.
- So, if you need a sweet treat and you need to cool down,
I would recommend checking that one out.
It's pretty exciting! - (React) If you were to do
dark pop, what would you emulate? - I really liked
the bludnymph aesthetic a lot. And I think mixing that
with Charli XCX. - My favorite, Ashnikko. Girl, get it!
- Ashnikko! I wanna listen to Ashnikko for sure.
- Yeah, but dark pop? Amazing. - I'll listen to more bludnymph too.
- (React) Write me your best dark pop song
right now as a team.
- (gasps) Ooh. Lights off. - Off. It's dark. Oh.
- Wanna do this a little bit? Wanna be sexy and sad a little bit?
Wanna talk about some...shrimp? I can't say that word.
- No, you can't. - ♪ (hums) ♪
- Okay, I feel really strongly about that.
- (rasps) Bye! - (rasps) Yeah!