US3R: Electronic Pop With a Darker Edge
Seattle-based artist US3R has built a sound that sits somewhere between electronic pop, synthwave, industrial pop, electro rock, and darker electronic music. Pronounced “User,” the project combines big synthesizers, electronic beats, vocals, rock influences, and lyrics that often look at technology, society, addiction, identity, and the strange world we live in.
Originally from California, US3R moved to Seattle in 2017, and the city's music culture became an important part of his development as an artist. He grew up surrounded by professional musicians and learned to play several instruments, including drums, guitar, and piano. That background helped give the project a more musical approach than simply being centered around electronic production.
You can find more about the artist through the [official US3R website] and [US3R's Bandcamp page], where his music and releases are collected.
The Sound
One of the most interesting things about US3R is that the music doesn't stay inside one particular genre. There is a strong electronic foundation, but the songs can move through synthwave, darkwave, industrial pop, electronic rock, synth pop, alternative rock, hip hop, and even touches of R&B.
The artist himself has described the music as having a “hacker's spirit,” with a lot of different styles coming together. That can be heard in the combination of heavy synth bass, bright electronic sounds, rock guitars, programmed drums, processed vocals, and more atmospheric sections.
There are also clear connections to artists such as Justice, Daft Punk, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, and Disclosure. At the same time, US3R brings in darker and more experimental elements that give the music its own personality. The official EPK describes the overall style as heavy electronic, EBM, synthwave, and electro rock.
Where It Started
US3R officially began developing the project around 2018, following years of playing music in different forms. His debut album, 1985, arrived in 2019 and was built around a modern take on the sounds of the 1980s.
The title is also connected to his birth year, with the album taking familiar influences from that era and putting them through a more modern electronic production style. The record combines electronic music, synth pop, indie pop, funk, and other influences while establishing the retro-futuristic direction that would continue through later releases.
From there, US3R continued expanding the project rather than simply repeating the same sound.
INFLUENCE
The 2019 album INFLUENCE took things in a more socially focused direction. The record looks at social media, fame, internet culture, and the loss of intimacy that can come from living so much of our lives online.
Tracks such as “I Wanna Be Famous,” “Fake,” “Millennial Blues,” and “Electricity” fit into that larger idea. Musically, the album combines electronic music, synth pop, synthwave, indie pop, and what US3R has referred to as an “electronic grunge” approach.
This is where the project really starts to show how US3R can use electronic music for more than just atmosphere. There is usually something underneath the surface, whether it is commentary about technology, relationships, modern culture, or the way people interact with one another.
DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES
In 2021, US3R released Dreams and Nightmares, a much more personal project. The album was created while the artist was living in downtown Seattle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The difficult events happening around him at the time became part of the record. Protests, police clashes, wildfires, isolation, and the general uncertainty of that period all helped shape the music. The album moves from more upbeat and hopeful moments into darker territory before eventually looking toward something more positive.
This gives the album a very different feeling from a straightforward synthwave record. There is still plenty of electronic production, but there is also a strong emotional side to the music.
RISE OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
US3R followed that with Rise of the Midnight Sun in 2023. This album continued expanding the sound by bringing together electronic music, rock, progressive elements, hip hop, synth pop, and heavier styles.
The album is described as an exploration of life's contradictions and the changes that come with getting older. It has a bigger and more varied sound, with guest appearances from artists including Atomic Pines, Wolf Pet, and Saint Moss.
It feels like another step forward for US3R because the project isn't afraid to move between completely different moods. A song can be electronic and melodic one moment and much heavier or more experimental the next.
DOPAM1NE
The most recent major release is DOPAM1NE, released in 2025. The 13-song album takes a closer look at modern addiction, pleasure, validation, technology, money, sex, fame, and the constant stream of stimulation that surrounds us.
Musically, this may be one of the clearest examples of what makes US3R interesting. The record leans more heavily into synthwave and industrial pop while still bringing in electronic rock, darkwave, pop, and other sounds.
The title track, “Dopamine,” focuses on the idea of being constantly surrounded by things designed to grab our attention. The album doesn't treat the subject as completely dark, though. There is also a sense of fun and escapism throughout the music, which creates an interesting contrast between the subject matter and the colorful electronic production.
US3R has said that he created the album himself, handling the writing, recording, production, and mixing from his apartment in downtown Seattle.
You can listen to DOPAM1NE through [Bandcamp] or [Apple Music].
More Than Just Studio Music
US3R has also developed a strong live presence. His performances have included venues around Seattle and shows in cities including Portland, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles. He has also shared bills with artists such as HEALTH, Stabbing Westward, Rabbit Junk, Empathy Test, Kontravoid, NITE, and others.
The live setup is another important part of the project. Rather than treating the music as something that only exists through a computer, US3R has emphasized actually playing instruments and making the performance feel more alive. His background as a drummer, guitarist, singer, and musician gives him plenty to work with on stage.
What Makes US3R Stand Out?
For me, the biggest thing that stands out about US3R is the willingness to experiment without completely losing the pop side of the music.
There are big synth sounds and electronic grooves that make the songs accessible, but there are also darker ideas and stranger textures underneath them. The music can feel futuristic while still having plenty of connections to older electronic and rock sounds.
There is also a clear interest in using music to talk about the world around us. Technology, social media, addiction, fame, loneliness, identity, and modern life all show up throughout the catalog. That gives the music something to say while still allowing it to be fun and energetic.
US3R is a good fit for listeners who enjoy electronic music but don't necessarily want to stay inside one specific genre. If you like synthwave, dark electronic pop, industrial sounds, electronic rock, or artists who mix several styles together, there is quite a bit to explore here.
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