Porter Robinson - Cheerleader Review

The first song of the next Porter Robinson era is finally here, and it's incredibly catchy. The synth line has been stuck in my head ever since the teasers came out in the weeks leading up to the release. The song carries strong influences, feeling like a blend of Porter, Panic! at the Disco, and Crystal Castles. It is very much 00s pop-punk influenced and I’d hardly call it an EDM song, but it is still “dancey.” Despite hearing many comparisons to MGMT's "Kids," I don't hear the similarity. I like the anime cheerleader sample in the background because it is very characteristic of Porter's style. He is easily the best songwriter in the EDM world and constantly finds a way to stay fresh and reinvent himself. The lyrics may come off as simple, but they convey such an interesting message and concept about overly obsessive fans. Toward the end of the song, the guitar part reminds me a bit of "Look at the Sky." Initially, it felt like a completely new direction out of nowhere, but with each listen, I can hear minor elements of Worlds, Nurture, and obviously "Everything Goes On." I'm excited to hear what the new album has to offer if this catchy ass song is any indication of what's to come.