HI PO – "if not now": a psychedelic lo-fi gem from Hungary you shouldn’t miss

A melodic journey balancing between chillhop, ambient, and deep emotional immersion.

MUSIC REVIEW: LO-FI/CHILLHOP

4/11/20252 min read

Hey friends!

Today, I want to share with you a true hidden gem that not many people know about yet — but it has huge potential. It’s the track "if not now" by HI PO, coming straight from the heart of Hungary. A piece that, to me, stands at the crossroads of lo-fi and chillhop — a track that carves itself into your memory and leaves a pleasant aftertaste in your thoughts. A track that asks to be written about.

An atmosphere that pulls you in from the very first sound

“if not now” opens with melodic and expansive ambient pads, pulling you away from the chaos and unfairness of the world. There’s something slightly psychedelic in these sounds — especially when the beat kicks in with a rich, “tasty” bassline. It evokes a feeling of endless euphoria, intertwined with everyday melancholy. Almost as if you're living billions of lives in a single moment. These psychedelic pads may not be the core of the composition, but they definitely play a significant role.

HI PO on:

A musical canvas painted in short, precise strokes

What truly showcases the originality and skill of the artist, in my opinion, is the way various instruments are layered in after the 40-second mark. It feels like watching a painter create a complete picture with quick, delicate brushstrokes. HI PO doesn’t favor one specific instrument to carry the melody — instead, they all enter the mix, each one speaking its own "word" without overshadowing the others. That’s what completely captivated my ears.

Transitions that are too magical to miss

It’s worth highlighting the seamless transitions between ideas in this track. Creating a musical idea is one thing — but building it in a way that sounds colorful and cohesive is something else entirely. And here, HI PO does it brilliantly. Just listen to the transitions at 0:26, 0:54, 1:06, and 1:22 — they sound magical, complete, and effortless, which is especially important in lo-fi music.

Music that deserves to be seen and heard

It honestly saddens me that such professional work remains so underappreciated. I truly feel it’s my duty to tell as many people as possible about this talented artist from Budapest and their enchanting track "if not now". And I’d love to invite you to do the same: share this article, follow HI PO on social media, and add the track to your playlists.

Take care and enjoy the music!