Singles Roundup

“HelloWorld” — ericdoa (Dante Red)

The first of two notable singles this week kicks off with “HelloWorld” by Dante Red, the first release from ericdoa’s alter ego since November 2020, when “do or die” and “movinlikeazombie” dropped. Dante Red is a glitchcore artist known for bit-crushed vocals and a distinctly aggressive style. The character was effectively killed off in 2021 on the unreleased track “finale,” after Eric’s label decided not to continue the project.

This track presents a new side of Dante, showcasing five years of growth as an artist. The repeated “hi” at the beginning serves as a reintroduction to the classic “Hi, I’m Dante!” tag that hyperpop fans grew to love during the original era.

The vocals open with Dante’s signature bit-crushed style, this time layered over a more structured beat featuring a distinct melody rather than the chaotic instrumentals typical of his “D.A.N.T.E.” era.

Classic Dante lyricism focused on familiar rap themes such as money, violence and power makes this track feel like a natural next step for the character. Lines like “She invested in me, she’s a Red fan” and “Sorry for the wait, I was too locked in” show that his confident, brash style is back — and it might be here to stay.

While this song introduces a new style that may take time for longtime Dante fans to adjust to, it’s a welcome relief that hyperpop’s favorite alter ego has finally returned.

Final rating: 7/10

“Anesthesia” — Aries

The fourth single from Aries’ upcoming album “Glass Jaw” takes a similar approach to “Sleepwalker (feat. Brakence),” the second single to be released.

This track uses piano and a gentle guitar to create an atmosphere for the first 1:20 before a rock guitar shifts the tone. Aries enters with powerful vocals that capture the feeling of a downward spiral and the eventual numbness that follows, using the anesthesia motif to tie his emotions together.

Aries has always treated his voice as his primary instrument, showcasing exceptional skill in layering vocals and using his impressive range to elevate his tracks to entirely new levels.

This song is another beautiful track from Aries and continues to build anticipation for his first album since 2021.

Final rating: 9.5/10

Jack Dobbins is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jwd5889@psu.edu.