100 Gecs is described in many ways. Some call them hyperpop. Some call them the end of music as we know it. Well, as someone with ADHD, I’m always looking for entertainment that can hold my attention. So when I heard for the ten thousandth time that “100 Gecs is music for people with ADHD,” I decided to finally listen and judge for myself.
10. One Million Dollars
Woah! I see what people were talking about. This song is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. There’s so much going on. They repeat the line “one million dollars” over and over while the instrumental changes up its mix of genres every few bars. It even had a funky bass part that I could have sworn was a direct reference to Limp Bizkit’s “3 Dollar Bill Y’all.” It’s crazy how nu-metal is having a resurgence, isn’t it? It’s crazy how many bands got made fun of for being weird or different and are now finally getting looked at with enough respect to be judged on their musical merits. Anyway, this song is a great showcase of production skills and kept me in my seat for most of its two-minute duration.
9. The Most Wanted Person in the United States
This is another weird one where I can’t tell if they’re just saying random shit because it sounds cool or if there is some deeper irony or reference. I paused the song to Google but couldn’t find anything. It’s possible I’m wrong but follow me on this for a sec. I think the lyrics of this song are intentionally low-effort generic 90s gangsta rap lyrics over a very simple beat reminiscent of early NWA. Also, the backing vocals and sound effects are really similar to Insane Clown Posse in the 90s. Also, did you know the guy who made ICP’s beats also produced a bunch of Kid Rock albums? That had to be awkward.
8. Billy Knows Jamie
This song is built around another nu-metal-sounding riff and tells the tale of pissing off someone who knows someone who has a gun. It eventually devolves into a death metal-meets-noise part. It’s pretty good, but I did find myself checking Facebook to see if my ex Jamie is still dating her boyfriend Billy because, if so, I thought she’d find the song title funny. Turns out they broke up, so I didn’t reach out because I was worried it’d look like I was trying to get back with her, ya know?
7. Doritos & Fritos
This is the first song on this list that even comes close to having a “normal” song structure. The lyrics, on the other hand, are word salad. The music, while arranged neatly, is made up of an array of disjointed, and sometimes dissonant sounds and instruments. This song is the most organized chaos I’ve ever heard. It kind of reminds me of this band I saw over a decade ago called Tugnut. They were a three-piece with a giant bass player and a tiny guitarist. At one point in their set, the tiny guitarist walked over and kicked the giant bass player in the balls. Then he went right back to playing the song! I wonder what ever happened to those guys.
6. Dumbest Girl Alive
This track opens the album. Like many songs on the record, it’s driven by a strong guitar lead and backed up by giant 808s that are programmed like live rock drums. The lyrics are striking and the vocals (with or without autotune) are compelling. This band pulls focus.
5. I Got My Tooth Removed
In a move almost intentionally designed to piss off music critics, this song mixes a swaying ballad with 3rd wave ska. It’s also about exactly what you think it is. This one brings back memories of singing along to local ska bands in rented-out halls. Looking back, those random community centers had no clue what they were getting into when they let those shows happen. I remember booking one of those and having to go to a meeting. I put on a nice sweater to seem like an upstanding youngster for those sweet old people running the place. Little did they know, our local music scene in 2003 was just one or two shows away from finally taking down the whole Bush administration.
4. Frog on the Floor
When I initially heard this one, it was my least favorite. It’s a song about a frog at a party. The music starts off like kid’s music. Like, music for children. Then it morphs into a second-wave ska song which builds to a dub break that takes the song home. Upon listening again, I realized it was amazing. It’s a fucking children’s/ska/dub song about a frog at a house party! If I listen to it again I’m afraid it will become my favorite song in the world.
3. Hollywood Baby
Another catchy earworm with a strong guitar lead over powerful drums. I assume 100 Gecs will continue to constantly evolve their sound with each record, but they could stop drilling here because they’ve already hit oil.
2. MeMeMe
This is probably the best encapsulation of 100 Gecs’ sound on this record. In line with the “mashup” nature of the entire album, MeMeMe mixes chiptune and pop punk, but the real draw of this band is the songwriting. Underneath all of the production and genre-blending, 100 Gecs simply write good songs.
1. 757
This is the catchiest thing I have ever heard. Every aspect of this song is exactly what it should be. It is perfect musical symmetry. It cured my restless leg syndrome. I no longer need to take Concerta. I have straight A’s and my taxes are done. Wow, 100 Gecs really is music for people with ADHD.