A Introduction

You probably have heard of this name PC Music through the 2010s in many music circles, including on this website and KTT1. Many people here might be familiar with this name through its many high profile collaborators and cosigns it's had over the years, or you might know it from Users like me talk about it. However I think there is a lot of confusion and misinformation around this name since people many people might be unsure if it's a genre, a label or if it stands for Political Correctness Music (hint it is not) but on also who started, who has influenced, who is actually in it and how its inspired creators.

I will address these points from what I know about the label and sound.

So What Is It?

Well, PC Music is a lot of different things. Its label, a "micro-genre," has become well connected to many forward-thinking artists in the pop and electronic world. In the age of internet trends that have come and gone faster than ever, PC music has stayed relevant by reinventing itself, and A.G. Cook keeping the martyr of the label and sound coherent and notable, so it did not get lost in the wave on internet trends. We only need look back at in the late 00s with a massive explosion of the chillwave scene a scene born on the internet similar to PC music, which gained enormous traction through summer of 2009 from kids being able to access software in their bedroom and post it onto the internet through sites such as Bandcamp. In 2013 article done by Pigeons & Planes references shows how genre which gained popularity through "by the internet" had crashed down. The genre's short life span was due to oversupply of these records on Bandcamp and the failure to innovate on the genre, which was watered down version of 80s synth-pop and acid house. This something A.G Cook has to achieve since how he had curator the sound to fit his label, which means while there were lots of copy cats, Cook was able to put on a lot of producers and creators through his label without being signed to it. PC Music, also unlike Chillwave, had distinctive sound from the get-go through its rise up around 2013 to 15, which caught many publications and music listeners by surprise. Songs from this time were overzealous, high-pitched (usually female) vocals, Korean and Japanese pop hooks with lots of upbeat synths, and took from also can surprise a listener out of nowhere with something totally different in the background. In the same song, it can be an inventive avant-garde experimental song, but also can be as immediately gratifying as the most mainstream pop song. Examples of these earlier songs which have defined this sound were Hey QT, Laplancer, and Hi, which are just three of the songs in which I talk about these songs later in depth. PC Music is usually associated with Bubblegum Bass, Deconstructed Club, and people usually also refer to lots PC Music as "Hyperpop," but I don't since its stupid name. However, PC Music has also expanded the identity of PC Music by = reinventing itself over the years, adapting to the fast-moving music industry, which has made this particular sound a mainstay in the current music landscape, and it has become its own identity and is as popular as ever.

How did the label start


In 2012 AG Cook founded a pseudo label named Gamsonite. This is where he started posted tracks from artists like GFOTY a collaborator he met at his University studying Music Computing. Lots of this early era were inspired by the 90s internet culture, such as the sims and bright gifs from this era of the internet. From here, they created the PC Music label in 2013, which quickly amassed a cult fan base where Cook acted like an A&R role but also was one primary producer. The label had creator over 40 songs on Soundcloud with every single piece having over 100k plays by 2014. The label has gone onto release two comp tapes and multiple singles out of this label. The label now has over 20 people now and now has major record signing with Columbia.

Notable People On The Label

AG Cook

Pretty much the brains behind this label, he also is a significant contributor to lots of the labels work with him doing a lot of work in production-wise also. He actually has never signed one per se, with him instead uploading the artists' songs to streaming services under PC Music banner This counter to the predisposed idea of a label supports everything PC Music stands for (this doesn't happen as often anymore). He also was executive producer for 2017's Charli's XCX Pop 2 and also has played a significant role in Charli and How I'm Feeling Now. Overall his most important person to the label as he had kept the aesthetic cohesive, which has helped in the long jeopardy of this label. He has released one album 7G (haven't heard at this point in time) and is releasing another record Apple by the end of 2020.

He also done couple side projects such as

Dux Content = A.G. Cook + Danny L. Harle

QT = A.G. Cook + SOPHIE with Hayden Dunham portraying in the video (i will get into this bit more in the songs)

Princess Bambi = Produced by A.G. Cook co-written by William Edwin Wright. The girl I
unknown. It is similar to QT as its another one off project

Hannah Diamond

A founder member also. Hannah Diamond is the second most essential artists on the label. She does lots of singing, photography, and visual art, which makes PC Music a unique label. She is one more well-known member due to her many features on these tracks, which encapsulates this sound of glitzy, artificial pop that PC Music is known for. Her debut, her single Pink And Blue, embraces this sound to its fullest potential. Another single Hi is a song about the tension you might feel on texting high to someone with her most interesting. With her overtop visuals and distinct voice, no wonder she has become one cover girls and shows the labels tendency to explore themes that might be unorthodox for a pop song but is somewhat relatable to the listener. She has now released her debut Reflections late last year, which is a great record to listen to highly recommend it!

Danny L Hare
Another founding member of the label, Danny L Hare, does more on the mainstream side with things with him being just as crucial as Cook in that he has worked with lots of pop's most underrated artists. These include him working with Caroline Polachek, Clario, Tkay Maizda, Carly Rae Jepsen, Rina Sawayama & Charli XCX. His a major link in drawing many people into the label as he does not weird or experimental as lots of PC Music can be but keeping a more mainstream approach but still keeping the PC Music edge that makes the label as addicting as ever.

EasyFun

EasyFun isn't as active as the past three artists listed here but is just as crucial in PC Music landscape. He is easily has released some PC Music most well known and best music. The song Laplander is easily one of the essential songs to recommend and will go into more depth later on. He also has many credits on Pop 2 & Number 1 Angel. He doesn't have much else at this point time outside of 2 EP's and handful singles but hoping for more of his work in the future.

Umru

Umru is one newer member of PC Music, where Cook scouted him and featured him on the feature-heavy Pop 2 where he produced one stand out song, "I Got It." However, his limited output shows the direction which PC Music will be going in the next ten years due to his splice pack been prevalent in the "hyper pop" & "bubblegum bass" community. His sound is more industrial compared to a lot of earlier PC Music work. His presence on the label is going to be only more influential we go due to this and is someone people should be looking at for. He has one EP, and many remixes out.

Notable People Affiliated with label

SOPHIE

Believe or not SOPHE is not officially signed to PC Music. However, she has been a poster child for what made the label/sound so famous. SOPHIE from the get-go was getting massive internet buzz due to BIPP/ELLE singles, which received critical acclaim in many publications such as Pitchfork & XLR8R. This momentum contained during 2014, where Lemonade/Hard released, which the former of which gave SOPHIE her most significant exposure yet as a song used in a McDonald's commercial (no, I'm not making this up). She is also done lots of work in the industry, including for people like Charli XCX, Vince Staples, MO & Madonna! She has released one compilation tape Product & her debut record Oil of Every Pearl Un Insiders, both receiving massive acclaim from reviews and fans alike and later was nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Easily the artists who have transcended the label and to one most influential producer of this generation.



Charli XCX

I think you all know who Charli XCX is, and she deserves her own post. Stream How I'm Feeling Now!!

Its Charli Baby….

100Gecs

KTT's Favourite duo. I don't think there is too much I can say which is already said. It easily was on the breakthrough artists 2019 coming out of nowhere with the 1000gecs tape, which might be possibly the most divisive record I have ever seen. However, Dylan Brady and Laura Les are most likely going to be a very important part of the 2020s. Overall, 100gecs isn't as established as a mainstay in PC Music landscape but will undoubtedly become a poster child of the future of this genre, adding more nightcore and emo to the mix. Think of it as Crystal Castles for the zoomers (hopefully doesn't end as that band did

#10 TRACKS TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE TO PC MUSIC

BIPP

I think BIPP is a defining song on putting PC Music's sound to the map. This was her second set of official singles, the first being Nothing More To Say. On this single, she fully realises this sound with this theme, which you will find with a lot PC Music songs which while sounding futuristic and somehow feels nostalgic for lost futures. It's very rare a song can do this on first listen but also being also having one most catchy chorus I have ever "I can make you feel better if you want to." A true gem of the 2010s and one of the most forward-thinking songs ever created to think this was created in 2013 where Brostep and EDM still was the mainstay in electronic music that she created this song should be applauded. 100% recommendation from me if you want to see what SOPHIE is all about

HEY QT

This is another defining song by PC Music label and was a song which really took peoples interested; this is where the aesthetic of PC Music was defined. It was mysterious & weird to look at but also eye dropping to look at. This song is an interesting look into consumerism as the whole music video is basically commercial for an energy drink, which ended up going on sale called QT. I won't go into too much detail, but it's basically the point being made is that its connecting soulless pop music (which the song not in a bad way tho) with a commercial with a backdrop of an ultra-fun dance-pop/bubblegum bass with another killer hook from the vocalist "Hey QT, yeah Yeah, there's something I want to say." In theory, its really basic song, but it comes out something much more, it also recommended to watch the mini-documentary recorded for this song as added context to the song.

BEAUTIFUL

Beautiful is basically a sweet song literally it is, look at the cover it looks like diabetes and heart attack waiting to happen but just like eating something sweet you just keep listening to it. It is basically a b******isation of Ibiza house song but adds lots of PC Music elements to keep distinct. The production laying on this song is actual earcandy, and all the added effects such as coins dropping, the warbles in synth line, snaps add to the songs is already solid foundation, and easily one best song on the label. If you are interested in a lot of Charli songs, this song is for you as it shows what Cook is comparable to as a producer.



LAPLANDER

Now Laplander is f***en banger for the ages. It is a bassy, transcendent experience that is "Fanta," only expanded upon with the wonderful hook by HD. This song, more than any, shows the mixture of the punchy hooks but also comes with industrial production. This song is just banger; there isn't much to a***yse here.

VROOM VROOM

Vroom Vroom is Vroom Vroom, the song which changed the course for Charli's career. This song captures the magic of PC Music label but with Charli at the helm. The song verses are fun to here coupled with her voice, which she pulls off what many pop stars could never do. I also need a shout out to the SOPHIE beat here, which is relentless in industrial sounding production but also its brighter tinges on the bridges and outro. Honestly its banger and a start of a prosperous relationship between Charli & PC Music affiliates/crew

Hi


I honestly had zero ideas about what Hannah Diamond's song I wanted to talk about since she has many songs that I could have talked about, which are just as good as each other. I decided to talk about Hi since I think it shows her for what she is as this perfect Bubblegum bass/PC Music pop star where she has this weightless but also somewhat sad song about the fears of texting someone Hi. The video also is super glitzy and flash with her in this somewhat futuristic utopia with the flashing lights and high life in a city. Overall an essential song in the label catalog

Super Natural


Pretty much a bop isn't too much to say. Its cute song, which is blurring the line of PC Music and mainstream pop with Carly Rae Jepsen, added into PC Music universe. It is a great song for people who want to have PC Music experience but with a more well-known star.

When I Rule The World


Fortunately or unfortunately (depends how you look at it), this song became popular on tik tok. However, it doesn't lessen how good this piece of hip-house, which is produced by SOPHIE, is. Its great song employs this bratty attitude that might be grating, but it's cool it fits the vibe of the track. Honestly, I don't think there is too much I can say about this song since it is not employing any type of gimmick, which some the more iconic tracks do.


Yeah Right

I had to add Yeah Right to the simple fact that KTT is hip hop forum at first. You probs have all heard it, but it is fantastic to see PC Music work with big names in the industry such Vince Staples, Flume & Kendrick Lamar on the exact same song is something to be appreciated. Overall its got me more craving more PC Music x Hip Hop releases and hoped more artists hop on these types of beats.

Other Essential Songs

Thos Moser - Gupi & Fraxiom
Track 10 - Charli XCX
Immaterial - SOPHIE
Be Your USA - EasyFun
Boy Next Door - GFOTY (she has left pc music ie, why I haven't mentioned her but check her also)
Forever Summer Holiday - Kero Kero Bonito (i am not too big into KKB sorry but I do enjoy this song)
Doodle - Lipgloss twins
In My Dreams - Danny L Hare

DJ Sets to check out.

Boiler Room - A.G. Cook
The Whole Of A Square Garden
HEAV3N Set - SOPHIE
Jungle Survival DJ - Danny L Hare
Mine Gala 2019 - 100Gecs

Interviews

• Danny L Hare (2016 Fact magazine)

• SOPHIE (2018 Arte Tracks)

• Umru (2018 Sidewalk Talk EDM)

interviewmagazine.com/music/sophie-its-okay-to-cry-interview - SOPHIE (2017 Interview Magazine)

bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02mrwmt/player - PC Music (2015 BBC)

web.archive.org/web/20141107185217/http://www.elektronauts.com/talk/view/62 - SOPHIE (2014 Elekstran)

• Hannah Diamond (2020 iB01)

Then What Is The Future Of PC music

I believe PC Music is in a better position than its ever been. I think it is not the same as it was during the mid-10s since it was more wacky and weird at the time compared to now. The last couple of years have been a little slower since I think a lot the work was going into Charli XCX's tapes/albums and not as much to the label itself. However, in 2019/20, it seems like Cook is again ramping up the production again of the music coming out the label. Both Hannah Diamond and A.G. Cook have now released full bodies of work now, and since many of the second generations of bubblegum bass sound has been taking shape, its really no better time to hop on board to PC Music train. This decade I think, will be heavily influenced by somewhere from groundwork done during the 2010s and could become a cult label just warp records has. I think the one thing which is certain they are looking to became more ambitious and less about singular songs instead more fully fledges of work. I think it is becoming a more serious label now and if that's a good thing or bad thing comes down to your opinion.

We will see…..

e

Whole lotta d’s in here

brother my comments were a good addition to pc music lore why u deleting

Sounds like your last birthday party

wait a sec because ktt stupid i need to get like 10 different comments

done!

Goated ass thread

i disagree they're done

now I can say im IN

that weekend remix album had a better pc music remix than any of these goldsmiths kids could do so

who hurt you man

Which one

again, just give easyfun endless nts mixes or something