More about: cheerbleederz

even in jest is an album full of the spirit of DIY. Fluctuating between brutally honest and tongue in cheek lyrics, each song is infused with personality, making cheerbleederz stand out as a band having a blast whilst making music. This spirit is infectious, and even in jest is a debut effort from cheerbleederz that never falls flat because of it.  

Following in the footsteps of those before them, even in jest sees cheerbleederz affirming an unapologetic voice in the current DIY scene. Influences from Alvvays, Snail Mail and The Breeders seep through each track, melding infectious melodies with matter-of-fact vocals. 

But cheerbleederz are not simply a product of their influences. even in jest is infused with their own distinct personality as a band: one of musicians having fun. From the catchy hooks that lead songs like ‘nail biters’ to the tongue-in-cheek humour of lyrics like "I don’t understand why everyone likes your band" in love song ‘cute as hell’ there is rarely a moment that their distinct voice does not shine through.

Their sense of humour is not to say that they don’t have something to say as a band. Their up-front and honest approach sees moments on the album dealing with varying mental health struggles. The bridge of ‘nail biters’ leads the chanting of "no worries if not," playfully dealing with anxiety and the all-too-common experience of self-minimisation. ‘out of body’ similarly deals with the feeling of wanting to escape your own skin.

Slower and more melodic moments like ‘love/hurt’ ensure that the album never verges on monotonous. ‘lazy bones’ finds beauty and solace in its repeated guitar strums, offering a more tranquil break on the album. 

Yet, it is cheerbleederz’s brash and confrontational spirit that shines strongest on even in jest. The album opens with the strong distorted guitar of ‘break ur arm’ and forthright line "I guess lately I haven’t been feeling very likeable." This spirit continues itself into the upbeat drum and guitar melodies of ‘carbon copy’, ensuring that it charges forward even to the climactic and explosive guitars of final track ‘pinwheel’.  

cheerbleederz are a band at their most exciting: simply having fun with what they’re making. This seeps into each track of their debut album, and it is a joy to listen to for it. The spirit of DIY indie punk is very much alive, and in even in jest, cheerbleederz make their space within it their own. 

even in jest arrives 27 July via Alcopop! Records.

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: cheerbleederz