Rouri404’s music lives in tension between clarity and distortion, control and collapse. Since 2021, he’s carved out a sound that doesn’t sit neatly in one genre, but instead moves between hyperpop, alt-rock, and electronic textures with instinct over intention. There’s no obvious blueprint. What ties it all together is how personal it feels sometimes painfully so.
In this interview with Nefarious Supply, Rouri reflects on how his process has shifted from scribbled notes to real-time writing. He opens up about the mental and emotional undercurrents that shaped narcissist, a turning point both musically and personally. We talk about how confidence, once out of reach, became something he had to learn through sound. And how recording vocals — once a source of insecurity is now an act of precision and purpose.
There’s no pitch for perfection here. Rouri doesn’t sell his music as a movement or brand. What he offers instead is honesty sometimes jagged, sometimes gentle but always earned. This isn’t about reinvention or hype. It’s about the slow work of making peace with your own voice. And using it, finally, to say what needed to be said.
You’ve been a defining voice in the scene for a while now. How do you think your sound has evolved since you first started?
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Since 2021 I’ve always tried to have a diverse sound that you can’t really pin to just one genre. Growing up I had a deep love for all kinds of rock, edm and really just all different genres of music, so as I’ve grown more the last couple of years I’ve tried my hand at mixing them all together into one more cohesive sound.
Your lyricism cuts deep, do you write with a specific story in mind, or do the emotions guide the process?
My process for writing lyrics has changed a good amount since first starting, I used to jot down any & every idea that would come to mind in my notes app wether it was something I felt emotionally hit hard or just a cool phrase. Everything post “narcissist” I for some reason got into the habit of just “freestyling” or tapping in line by line to write, I’ve found it helps a lot with just staying in the moment of exactly what I’m feeling and I’m able to get across thoughts & emotions a lot clearer.
Your vocals are incredibly raw and powerful. How do you approach recording to capture that intensity?
Growing up I was very nervous about my voice, never thinking I sounded good or really having the confidence to push myself. Once again something about the creation process of “narcissist” unlocked doors for me I didn’t know possible, at the time creating something I saw as far beyond my capabilities. Nowadays I mostly just try to let go of all outside noise when I record, I want it to be precise and accurate whether that’s in my actual vocal delivery or the words I’m thinking to say next.
Production-wise, your sound is both immersive and hard-hitting. What draws you to certain sounds or textures when crafting a track?
Ive always been attracted to avant-garde/experimental sounds & I feel that has bled thru in every aspect of our production. Growing up and having my playlist go from something like daft punk or skrillex straight into sigur rós or BMTH I just don’t put many limits on what our sound can be or where it can go.
Do you feel like your music is a reflection of who you are in the moment, or do you use it to explore parts of yourself you wouldn’t otherwise express?
I would say it’s a reflection of previous experiences, kind of a cathartic/therapeutic deal. I’ve been able to sort thru a lot of personal traumas with music that I don’t think would have been faced otherwise, and being able to have other people also use my words as a vehicle for healing is a really beautiful feeling.
The hyperpop scene has shifted a lot over the years. Where do you see yourself within it right now?
Honestly I see myself in the middle. I don’t like to associate with many people & we’ve really been keeping our heads down just working this last 2 years, so I don’t think anyone knows what we have in store still.
Has there been a moment in your career where you truly felt the impact of your music on your listeners?
There’s been so many it’s hard to really pinpoint one exact moment , but I would say the countless number of DMs I’ve gotten over every platform the last 5 years of people telling me how my words have helped them understand themselves better, or helped them work thru personal traumas of their own.
What’s a song of yours that means the most to you personally, and why?
Every song has some amount of special meaning for sure but there are a couple that have extra. “Hope” has always been a hard listen for me because I know in my heart how open I am being in that song, and it kinda hurts. Reaching a point of being able to express those kind of feelings so fluently, going back on it and relistening is almost painful. But genuinely every song has a very special place & meaning.
Who are some artists or producers—past or present—who inspire you the most?
Daft punk, BMTH, bones and so many more all helped develop my sound and style, I used to try to break down my inspirations but there is genuinely so many trying to boil it down to a couple feels impossible.
What’s next for Rouri404? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?
Right now I’m focused on getting singles out consistently & building up my community as much as possible. Hopefully a handful of shows across the US soon. Never been so excited to drop music though ^_^
