April Harper Grey, the ever-chameleonic mind behind underscores, has been hailed by many as a pop boundary-pusher — an artist who refuses to pick a lane and insists on building a highway in 12 directions at once. Her latest single, “Do It,” doesn’t so much break genre rules as it does throw them all into a blender with the lid off. The result? Messy, interesting, and kind of exhausting.
This track is clearly aiming for sensory overload — think Blackout-era Britney if she studied abroad in Seoul and came back with a Jam City obsession. There’s a swaggering four-on-the-floor pulse, twitchy synths, and industrial screeches that feel almost daring in a pop format. It’s bold, sure. But it’s also busy.
Grey is a clever producer — too clever, maybe. She fills every inch of the mix with a noise or twitch or ping, but rarely lets the song breathe. The vocal performance? Playful and confident, but at times veers into that too-online hyperpop zone where sincerity feels like it’s playing dress-up. You can tell she’s in on the joke, but it might help if the audience were let in a little more.
Lyrically, the track does have a moment of clarity. “I just can’t do it / I’m married to the music!” lands with enough heart to remind you there’s a real artist under all the effects and genre gymnastics. It’s a fleeting glimpse, but it’s something.
“Do It” is like scrolling through five different music blogs at once — you’ll catch a cool idea here and there, but it’s hard to focus. Still, even if the song doesn’t fully hit its mark, you can’t say Grey isn’t taking swings. Not everyone will want to follow her through every chaotic detour, but it’s clear she’s driving her own machine — seatbelt optional.
Score: 6.4 / 10
Ambitious and technically impressive, but a bit too eager to impress. “Do It” proves underscores can throw a punch — now let’s see if she can land one clean.
