underscores Returns with “Tell Me (U Want It)” & Announces New Album ‘U’

underscores Just Dropped a Career-High with “Tell Me (U Want It)”

If you’ve been following April Harper Grey (aka underscores) since the Fishmonger days, you know she never stays in one lane for long. But her new single, “Tell Me (U Want It)” feels like she’s finally mashed all her personalities into one chaotic, brilliant 3-minute sprint.

Dropped on February 25, this isn’t just a random single; it’s the official bridge to her new album, U, which is coming for us on March 20.

The Vibe: Part Heist, Part Panic Attack

The song kicks off with this driving, “bovver boot” indie-rock energy that feels like a natural evolution from Wallsocket. But then, in classic underscores fashion, the floor drops out. We get these massive, glitchy bass stabs that feel like a nod to her early SoundCloud roots.

It’s frantic, it’s catchy as hell, and the self-directed video is just as stressed out. Watching April sprint through the night with a stolen USB drive—passing cameos from Jane Remover and Fraxiom—captures exactly how the song feels: like you’re running out of time and trying to look cool doing it.

“Is this doing anything for you, baby?”

What I love about this track is how vulnerable the lyrics actually are under all that production. The chorus hits on that specific brand of “second-guessing yourself” that anyone who creates things feels:

“You gotta tell me you want it… ‘Cause later on, this could be embarrassing for me.”

It’s that “am I doing too much?” anxiety. She’s singing about changing her hair, dropping old hobbies, and wondering if the people around her even recognize her anymore. It’s a lot more grounded than your typical “hyperpop” track, which is why April is in a league of her own right now.

What to Expect from the New Album ‘U‘

With the album dropping via Mom+Pop on March 20, “Tell Me (U Want It)” gives us a pretty good roadmap. If this track and the previous singles (“Music” and “Do It”) are anything to go by, we’re looking at:

• The usual genre-blending: Expect jazz chords smashed against dubstep drops.

• High-stakes storytelling: April seems to be building a whole cinematic world for this era.

• A massive tour: Keep your eyes peeled for dates, because these tracks are clearly built to be heard through a massive sound system.

March is looking like a huge month for experimental pop. Get your pre-orders in for the clear vinyl if you can—this one is going to be a staple.