Glaive has become an anomaly within the genreless, lawless nature of hyperpop.
With immaculate melodies and syrupy hooks, the teenage hyperpop phenom is a byproduct of the residual gold found in 2000s pop. Combining thick, auto-tuned harmonies with shimmering electro-inspired production, he’s continued to show his talent with constant hit after hit — slowly becoming the face of hyperpop and only getting better because of it.
Rising rapidly at just age 17, Glaive’s new effort old dog, new tricks continues to embody the North Carolina native’s speciality of creating fully complete tracks — a talent far beyond bars and a hook — boasting his concise songwriting ability and eclectic ear for beats all at once.
Building off the contained chaos his sound elicits, old dog‘s fresh-pressed cuts in “icarus,” “lap #1,” “justlikeu4theimage” and “walking around with no hands” bolster the hit-maker’s presence as one of the brightest rising stars to watch out for. Releasing his debut album all dogs go to heaven and recent collab EP with ericdoa at the back end of 2021, the new wave enigma is in the midst of transforming into a pop superstar with can’t-miss mainstream appeal.
Set to go on tour later this year, it’s apparent the Asheville-bred star — who currently boasts nearly 1 million Spotify monthly listeners — is a yet another example of success regardless of age or experience.
Constantly creating jolting, immersive narratives within each of his tracks, Glaive’s stories seemingly revolve around the person that’s scorned him. On the deluxe’s lead single “prick,” we see him professing that he’s “scared to be alone” while brushing away his lover’s feelings as a way to cope with her own issues.
He woefully croons about his insecurities and sounding as if he is at his wit’s end. Begging to both his lover and himself to do what’s best for him — to let her go — he lets his fear of being alone consume him, lashing out in fury and angst over the track’s cascading bells and video-game-esque 808s.
I know you think you love me, but you really don’t
Put your issues on me and find a way to cope
I can’t help but let you go
If you ever have time for me, just let me know
Tall grass, I watch every single step that I take
And I need all that, my ball cap is hiding my face (Fuck)
I’ve been holdin’ myself back
And I don’t wanna do it anymore
Baby, I don’t wanna do it anymore
Because I’m scared to be alone
Then I’ll end up on my own, on my own
Glaive — “prick”
Other highlights in “icarus” and “justlikeu4theimage” are just more examples of his angst and anxiety fueling his love-torn, emotive singing that instantly turns heads.
While old dog, new tricks brings forth another rage-induced layer to Glaive’s arsenal, his allure isn’t solely about his razor-piercing production or robust song structures — it’s the way he grabs the listener’s attention, showcasing a presence unfound in any other young artist today.
Glaive’s takeover is inevitable, as he’s slowly ascending to become the superstar he was always destined to be.
Listen to Glaive’s ‘old dog, new tricks’ below!
