The Rise of hemlocke springs: Why New Single ‘w-w-w-w-w’ is the Weird-Pop Anthem We Need

If you’ve been following the meteoric rise of hemlocke springs, you know her story feels like a glitch in the simulation—the best kind possible.

Just a couple of years ago, Isimeme “Naomi” Udu was deep in the books as a graduate student studying health informatics. Then, she dropped “gimme all ur luv” and “girlfriend,” and the indie-pop world essentially lost its mind. From the jump, she wasn’t just making “bedroom pop”; she was building a neon-colored, 80s-inspired universe from her dorm room.

Fast forward to today, and the “health informatics student” label is a distant memory. Now based in Los Angeles, hemlocke is back with her latest single, “w-w-w-w-w,” and it’s a masterclass in theatrical art-pop.

Not Your Average Pop Star

What makes hemlocke springs so refreshing is her refusal to play it safe. While most viral hits feel engineered for a 15-second loop, her music feels alive, frantic, and deeply personal.

It’s no wonder she’s earned the “stamp of approval” from some of the biggest names in the game:

• The Icons: Early praise from Grimes and Steve Lacy set the tone.

• The Tour Mates: She’s shared stages with Doja Cat, Conan Gray, and Ashnikko.

• The Chappell Roan Connection: Even Chappell Roan—the current blueprint for campy, high-concept pop—named hemlocke as one of her personal favorites.

Breaking Down ‘w-w-w-w-w’

The new single, “w-w-w-w-w,” feels like the natural evolution of her sound. If her early hits were about the jitters of a first crush, this track is the sound of an artist fully embracing her “weirdness.”

It’s jittery, it’s exuberant, and it leans heavily into the theatrical. It has that era-transcending quality that makes you feel like you’re listening to a lost 80s cassette tape that’s been beamed back from the year 3000. It’s “genre-defying” in the truest sense—blending bubblegum synths with a chaotic, high-energy production that only Naomi could pull off.

The Verdict

Hemlocke springs is proving that you don’t have to sacrifice your quirks to reach the big stages. She’s taking the “bedroom pop” ethos and scaling it up into something cinematic. “w-w-w-w-w” isn’t just a song; it’s an invitation to the next level of her world.

If you haven’t pressed play yet, you’re missing out on the most exciting transformation in pop music right now.