umru: The Hyperpop Producer Shaping Digital Sound

umru is an innovative American electronic music producer and DJ at the forefront of the hyperpop and PC Music-adjacent scenes. Hailing from New York, his career accelerated through key collaborations with artists like Charli XCX and his own influential label, 2 Records, cementing his status as a vital architect of contemporary digital pop.

Early career

Born around 1999, umru, whose real name is Emmett Kalmenson, began crafting music from his bedroom in his early teens. His initial forays into production were shared online, quickly garnering attention within niche internet communities for their inventive, software-pushing sound design and energetic compositions.

His early official releases, such as the 2018 "comfort" EP on the label SEAGULL, showcased a distinct fusion of chaotic soundscapes with pop sensibilities. This early work established his signature style: maximalist, emotionally resonant, and built from the raw materials of internet culture.

Breakthrough

umru's profile rose significantly in 2019 through his production work on the track "Click" from Charli XCX's critically acclaimed album Charli. This high-profile collaboration introduced his chaotic, glitch-heavy production style to a massive global audience, validating the hyperpop sound within the mainstream music industry.

Further establishing his influence, he founded the label 2 Records in 2020, providing a platform for peers like alice gas and kmoe. While not a chart-topping entity, the label became a respected hub for the genre's next wave, solidifying umru's role as a curator and community leader.

Key tracks

Click (with Charli XCX and Kim Petras & Tommy Cash) — This track served as umru's major introduction to a wide audience, featuring his production on a flagship pop album.

check1 — A solo single that perfectly encapsulates his intense, melodic style and remains a staple in his DJ sets and the genre's playlists.

comfort — The title track from his early EP highlighted his ability to blend abrasive digital textures with vulnerable, catchy songwriting.

Popular (with That Kid) — This viral collaboration exemplified the catchy, queer-forward anthems that defined the late-2010s hyperpop explosion.

dancecore — A later track that pushed his sound into even harder, faster territories, influencing the development of "digicore" and adjacent scenes.

Beyond his solo work, umru has become a sought-after collaborator and remixer, working with artists from 100 gecs to Gupi and underscores. His 2022 "Superstar" EP continued to refine his approach, balancing pop hooks with uncompromising sonic experimentation. While not chasing traditional certifications, his influence is measured in the pervasive adoption of his production techniques across underground and mainstream electronic pop.

Fans of umru's digitally saturated and energetic take on pop music also frequently enjoy the work of A. G. Cook, the PC Music founder who pioneered the aesthetic. 100 gecs share a similar love for extreme digital manipulation and genre collision. ericdoa operates in the same vocal-led, hyperpop-influenced lane, often collaborating within the same network. underscores explores a comparable fusion of internet-born sounds with intricate narrative songwriting.

umru's dynamic catalog is a fixture on forward-thinking online radio streams and independent music radio stations that specialize in electronic and experimental pop. His tracks provide the high-energy, digitally-native sound that defines modern alternative airwaves.

Listeners can discover the innovative hyperpop of umru through the curated electronic and alternative radio stations available on onairium.com, where his music is regularly featured in rotation.