ÍøÆغÚÁÏ

Alice Longyu Gao's brashly witty hyperpop reflects Harajuku's neon style, the fantastical worlds of Sailor Moon and Alice in Wonderland, and her wish to instill confidence in her audience. The Chinese-born, U.S.-based producer, DJ, and performance artist made a name for herself in New York City's art and fashion scenes before breaking out with 2019's "Rich Bitch Juice," which was produced by 100 gecs' Dylan Brady and displayed the tweaked vocals, metallic percussion, and animated sonics that became her trademarks. She demonstrated her range within this style on later releases like 2021's hard-charging EP High Dragon Universe and 2022's airy "To My White Boy Princess."

Gao grew up in Bengbu, China the daughter of entrepreneurial parents who owned a latex glove factory. Though she began taking piano lessons at age four and later studied singing, her parents expected her to take over the family business -- something that didn't interest her in the least. When she was not accepted to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she concentrated on making music her own way. In 2012, she moved to the U.S. to continue her studies and begin her music career. The 17-year-old Gao took music classes while she studied philosophy at Boston University, then learned Japanese while attending Harvard University's Summer Program in Kyoto. By the time she was 21, she was becoming a fixture in New York City's fashion and music scenes: she interned for Paper magazine and Comme des Garçons and worked as an assistant for the British DJ Chelsea Leyland. Naming herself Alice as an homage to the fantastical world of Alice in Wonderland, Gao became a DJ herself, and spun for clients ranging from Asia Society and the Parrish Art Museum to Milk Makeup and Juicy Couture. During this time, she was also featured in the official N.Y.C. Pride campaigns of 2017 and 2018 as part of her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

In 2018, Gao began releasing her own music. That February saw the premiere of her candy-colored art installation Pericura, while that May's fizzy debut single "Princess of Manifestation" reflected the influence of J-pop on her style. Later in the year, she issued "Magnificroissant" and "I Want My Hoe Time Back," both of which found Gao creating a brash persona as an antidote to the anxiety she had suffered since childhood. After releasing November 2018's "Chew!," she connected with 100 gecs' Dylan Brady, sparking a partnership that spawned the 2019 singles "Dumb Bitch Juice" and "Rich Bitch Juice," the latter of which made a fan of Lady Gaga and spun off a remix EP featuring contributions from Brady, Gupi, Blu DeTiger, and others. Several other singles, including "I <3 Harajuku" and the COVID-19 themed "Quarantine Rly Sux," followed in 2020. Along with standalone singles such as "Legend" and "She Abunai," in 2021 Gao issued tracks like the Whethan collaboration "Kanpai" and the Brady-produced "100 Boyfriends" that appeared on her debut EP, High Dragon Universe. Taking its title from the meaning of Gao's name in Chinese, the EP appeared in October 2021 and ranged from trap-inspired tracks to DayGlo pop. The following January, she returned with the flirtatious single "To My White Boy Princess." ~ Heather Phares

With her whispered and wailed vocals -- and the dramatic electronics surrounding them -- Alice Glass' music displays a rare blend of vulnerability and volatility. She first earned acclaim as Crystal Castles' dynamic frontwoman on the duo's acclaimed trilogy of self-titled albums, which began with 2008's Crystal Castles and culminated with 2012's Crystal Castles (III). After leaving the group due to alleged abuse at the hands of bandmate Ethan Kath, Glass established herself as a solo artist capable of channeling her trauma and recovery into direct, cathartic releases. Her 2015 debut single, "Stillbirth," benefitted the anti-sexual violence organization RAINN, and later efforts like 2017's Alice Glass EP and 2022's full-length Prey//IV continued to blend outspoken honesty with challenging, haunting sounds.

Born Margaret Osborn in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Glass survived a difficult relationship with her parents and troubles at Catholic school thanks to her love of music. After getting her first guitar at age 11, she became a part of the city's punk community and founded the experimental punk band Fetus Fatale while still in her teens. In 2003, she met Ethan Kath at one of the band's shows, and the 15-year-old Glass soon began working with him on the project that eventually became Crystal Castles.

The duo officially debuted in 2006 with the single "Alice Practice," which attracted the attention of London's Merok Records and appeared on the duo's 2008 self-titled debut album. Two more albums (2010's Crystal Castles [II] and Crystal Castles [III]) followed before Glass left the group in 2014. She signed to Loma Vista as a solo artist, releasing her debut single, "Stillbirth," in 2015. The proceeds from the track's sales were donated to anti-sexual violence organization RAINN. In August 2017, Glass released the single "Without Love" and her self-titled debut EP, which featured contributions from former HEALTH member Jupiter Keyes and Atticus Ross.

Inspired by the #MeToo movement, that October Glass published a statement alleging Kath abused her sexually, physically, and mentally during the time she worked with him. Kath sued her for defamation the following month, but his suit was dismissed in February 2018 on procedural grounds. That May, a judge awarded Glass nearly $21,000 in attorney fees.

During this time, Glass continued to tour and release music: the single "Cease and Desist" -- which she described as a "call to arms for all survivors" -- appeared in January 2018, followed by an EP of Alice Glass remixes by tourmates Zola Jesus and Pictureplane that April. That June, she released "Mine," a single co-written with songwriter Justin Tranter. Later in the year, she contributed the track "I Trusted You" to the Adult Swim compilation Fever Dreams, appeared on Dreamcrusher's album Grudge2, and was featured along with Wicca Phase Springs Eternal on "Dark Alley," a track from Zubin's EP Heavy Down Pour.

Early in 2019, Glass made a cameo on Nedarb's album Amity. In January 2020, her song "Sleep It Off" was included in the soundtrack to The Turning, director Floria Sigismondi's adaptation of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. That August, Glass' "Nightmares" was featured on the Sermon 4 Anniversary compilation from Sermon 3 Recordings. She closed out the year with a remix of Pabllo Vittar's "Rajadão" that appeared on the deluxe version of his album 111. January 2021 saw the release of "Suffer and Swallow," the first track from Glass' debut album. Later in the year, she collaborated with Alice Longyu Gao on the single "Legend" and remixed Dorian Electra's "Fist," which also featured the Horrors' Faris Badwan. Glass' first full-length, Prey//IV, appeared in February 2022 and showed hints of hyper-pop and trap in her style. ~ Heather Phares