Inside the Electric Energy of the underscores FADER Mix

Need proof that underscores — The FADER’s July 2026 cover star — is a true superstar? Hundreds of her dedicated fans, known as U-TOOs, lined up bright and early to secure a spot at her FADER cover release party at Elsewhere, snaking around the industrial Brooklyn venue hours before the doors even opened. When the July 9 party finally commenced, the energy was palpable; the mood on the Elsewhere rooftop shifted between giddy anticipation and a feverish intensity as fans danced the night away.

A Night of Genre-Defying Sound

The evening was a masterclass in curation, featuring sets by heartgaze, petal supply, and a thrilling back-to-back session with umru, milkfish (underscores’ DJ alias), Emile Fortune, and Tiam. When underscores finally took the decks for her solo set, the performance was as danceable as it was hilarious. She seamlessly blended her own hits like “bodyfeeling” with a vast array of genres, spanning Korean rap, American pop, and Latin music. From Keith Ape to Charli XCX, the set was a delirious journey that culminated in a brilliant mix of Camila Cabello’s “B.O.A.T” and oklou’s “choke enough.”

9 Underscores Songs You Need in Your Life

The FADER’s latest cover star underscores (April Harper Grey) has proven herself to be a singular force in modern music. The 26-year-old popstar and super-producer has masterfully navigated hyperpop, math rock, digitized folk, and experimental dance music—previously under her milkfish alias—before refining her focus on pop music for her 2026 breakout project, U. Regardless of the genre, Grey’s work is defined by sharp, incisive songwriting and production that consistently pushes boundaries.

Here are nine essential tracks from the career of our July cover star.

“Spoiled Little Brat”

One of underscores’s earliest internet hits, “Spoiled Little Brat” captures the essence of her early period. It is defined by pop-punk panache and April’s signature sound design, featuring glitchy textures, toy-like synth melodies, and unapologetically pugnacious lyrics.

“The fish song”

While often lauded for her technical production, underscores’s true superpower lies in her sensitive, detailed songwriting. “The fish song,” the penultimate track on her 2021 debut fishmonger, transforms a peculiar story about a rare fish into a moving meditation on impermanence.

“Loansharks” feat. gabby start

An early indicator of her shift toward pop, this collaboration with gabby start from 2021’s boneyard aka fearmonger seamlessly blends dubstep and math rock with an undeniable bubblegum catchiness.

“Gunk”

“Gunk” stands as one of the most impressive displays of songwriting and production in her catalog, featuring a quiet, acoustic folk narrative that erupts into pure dubstep cacophony.

“Locals (Girls like us)” feat. gabby start

This standout from 2023’s Wallsocket turns a list of anatomical terms into an inescapable earworm, expanding the album’s suburban mythology into flirty, provocative territory.

“Music”

Arguably the biggest hit from U, “Music” is a spirited anthem about the intersection of romantic infatuation and the necessity of art, anchored by delicious triplet rhythms.

“Do It”

“Do It” marks the moment underscores fully embraced her role as a pop performer. It combines early-aughts Timbaland-style production with contemporary K-pop polish.

“Bodyfeeling”

True to its title, “Bodyfeeling” is a funky, embodied track with a bassline that hits with visceral impact, ranking among her most evocative work.

“The Peace”

The sleeper viral hit from U, “The Peace” serves as the album’s central ballad. Utilizing Imogen Heap-style vocal harmonies, it highlights underscores’s ability to let her songwriting take center stage.

Inside underscores and FADER’s Packed Out Sunset Rave

Rain and a 20% chance of thunderstorms didn’t stop hundreds from pulling up to Brooklyn’s Elsewhere to catch a sunset set from The FADER’s new cover star underscores. Giggly and high-spirited fans arrived as early as 9 a.m. to hold down the line, which eventually grew to stretch multiple city blocks around the venue.

If you ask us, the trek was worth it. N.Y.C.’s own heartgrazer kicked the festivities off with a sweet digicore set, which was followed by an inspiring techno showcase from petal supply. At 8 p.m. the woman of the hour — in boots and a leather jacket — parted the crowd to grace the stage as her DJ alias milkfish, where she and friends umru, Emile Fortune, and Tiam switched off behind the decks for a very Tumblr 2016 set: Charli xcx’s “Vroom Vroom” into Black Eyed Peas’ “Scream & Shout” into Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles.” By the time it hit 9 p.m., everyone was so thoroughly sweaty and hot, there’s was nothing else left to do but totally let loose for underscores.

Come back to thefader.com on July 14, 9 a.m. ET, to read underscores’s FADER cover story and other surprises.

Charli xcx Announces ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ North American Tour

Charli xcx is preparing to hit the road for a highly anticipated North American tour in support of her forthcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film. The project, which is scheduled for release this Friday, June 12, has already generated significant buzz with the debut of singles such as “Rock Music” and “SS26.”

The tour is slated to begin on September 11, 2026, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The run includes high-profile stops, such as two-night residencies at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. Joining the tour as the opening act for all dates is the rising pop sensation and producer Underscores, whose latest album U has been widely recognized as one of the standout projects of 2026.

Tour Accessibility and Charity Initiatives

In a move to prioritize fan accessibility, the tour will feature special, low-priced tickets. Furthermore, a limited number of charity tickets will be allocated in the first five rows of each venue. Notably, 50% of the net proceeds from these specific seats will be donated to the Transgender Law Center, underscoring the artist’s commitment to social advocacy.

Ticketing Information

Fans looking to secure their spots can sign up for the Artist Presale starting Friday, June 12, at 9 AM local time. Registration for the presale must be completed by Wednesday, June 10, at 11 PM ET. Any remaining tickets will be released to the general public on Friday, June 12, at 1 PM local time via Charli xcx’s official website.

Additionally, the tour introduces “Angel Tickets,” a limited batch of $20 tickets becoming available in August. These tickets will be sold in pairs, with seat locations revealed on the day of the show at the venue box office. These tickets are non-transferrable, ensuring they remain accessible to the fanbase.

Tour Dates

Sep 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
Sep 14 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Sep 15 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Sep 21 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Sep 24 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Sep 28 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Oct 02 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival
Oct 06 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Oct 09 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival
Oct 14 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Oct 17 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum
Oct 18 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum
Oct 21 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
Oct 23 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena