Cheerleader
Cheerleader
Self-released
★★★★ (out of 5 stars)
In three short songs, this hitherto unknown Philadelphia band introduces itself, digs in its immaculate hooks and leaves you in a state of pure crush. With irrepressible guitar jangles and day-shining synths, Cheerleader recalls the ringing indie-pop of the ’80s with eyes bright, wide and wet. Opening with their best foot forward, “New Daze” fizzes and swirls like the Pains of Being Pure at Heart with less shoegaze haze and more sparkle. The lovely “Do What You Want” – perhaps the next great whistling song – breezes by like an unbridled, modern-day Field Mice outtake. With evergreen melodies unafraid to swoon, these are the kind of brilliant rays that burst from hearts unswayingly convinced that all it takes to carry the world is one simple but perfect hook. Rah rah for that.
