#songoftheday / REVIEW: CHEERLEADER: “PERFECT VISION”

Cheerleader started off as a bedroom exercise, longtime buddies Joe Haller (vocals/guitar) and Chris Duran (guitar) making various demos with Garageband. But in 2013 the Connecticut natives got serious and relocated to Philadelphia where they completed the band’s line-up with Joshua Pannepacker (keyboards/guitar), Paul Impellizeri (bass) and Carl Bahner (drums). Today they’re opening for The Hold Steady and will soon release their first official single, “Perfect Vision” / “Waiting, Waiting,” on the Young & Lost label.

We do our #songoftheday thing five or so days a week here and there’s clearly no shortage of songs deserving of our praise. But once in a while we come across a song that’s worthy of being called the #songoftheweek because it’s just so mind-blowingly good. Cheerleader’s “Perfect Vision” falls into that category. It’s so completely and utterly infectious that it only takes five seconds to hook you. We are not exaggerating. Before Joe even begins singing, you’re already getting a serious sugar high from its ridiculously catchy guitar riff and glamorous synth. And once the vocals kick in, it’ll melt you like butter on a warm, sunshiny day. Basically, it’s the musical equivalent of a hot fudge sundae, bright red cherry on top. Stylistically, they’re like a cross between The Killers, M83 and The Beatles, indie-minded, dazzling and beautifully harmonious. It’s a good thing they’ve only released this one track so far because we’d surely over-dose if they just came right out with an entire album this potent.

cheerleader_promo_061e.132249

UK + US Tour Dates:
May 3 – Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands
May 5 – London, England – Bush Hall *
May 6 – London, England – Rock Feedback @ The Ace Hotel †
May 7 – Manchester, England – Academy 3*
May 8 – London, England – Rising @ The Black Heart
May 10 – Brighton, England – The Great Escape, NME Stage
May 12 – London, England – Paint It Black @ The Sebright Arms
June 7 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle
* w/ The Hold Steady
† w/ Alvvays

‘Perfect Vision’ / ‘Waiting, Waiting’ will be issued on limited edition vinyl on June 16 via Young & Lost / Bright Antenna and is available for digital download on April 28.

 


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