Cheerleader (Porter Robinson Song)
Multiple critics highlighted the contrast between the song's melody and lyrics, further noting its influence from emo. The song peaked at number 12 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Songs.
Background and composition
"Cheerleader" was Porter Robinson's first solo release in two years. It was one of the first songs that Robinson wrote for his new musical era. On writing the song, he said in a press release that he wanted to create something "that people could love with zero context – just instantaneous, universal, explosive connection". The lyrics depict the convoluted, parasocial relationship between musicians and their fans, one example being the line "She's got hearts in her eyes / Saying, 'Boy, you better watch the time / Cause if you're not mine I'd rather see you burned alive". The song features Robinson's own vocals, which Robin Murray of Clash described as "scintillating".
An electropop and synth-pop song, multiple critics noted the contrast between its melody and lyrics. Gillian Telling of People wrote that "Cheerleader" is "more of a pop anthem with emo undertones", contrasting with Robinson's previous works; Telling said Robinson was "reinventing his sound". Similarly, Cleber Facchi of Música Instantânea felt that the song shows Robinson having a "completely distinct approach" when compared to his previous releases due to its emo sound. Colin Joyce of Pitchfork said that the track resembled the emo pop of Metro Station and the post-hyperpop of Glaive and Aldn. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard described it as "a synth-pop shot of adrenaline, with buzzing melodies and instrumental pile-ups that will leave you dizzy", while Dan Harrison of Dork noted the song's "bouncy synths and earworm melodies". Robin Murray of Clash and Liberty Dunworth of NME described it as "explosive". Paul Simpson of AllMusic described the verses as resembling Phoenix's indie pop and the chorus as "soaring, anthemic [and] spiked with punchy breakbeats".
Release and reception
"Cheerleader" was released on March 20, 2024, through Mom + Pop, as the lead single from Robinson's third studio album, Smile! :D. The song was accompanied by a music video directed by Hugh Mulhern and creative-directed by Bradley & Pablo, where Robinson enters a virtual reality. Harrison described "Cheerleader" as a highlight from the album due to its blend of depth and accessibility. Lipshutz praised that Robinson had created "the complete opposite of background noise". Matthew Kim of The Line of Best Fit wrote that the song "has the most euphoric hook of the year". A Clash reviewer described it as "anthemic". The song peaked at number 12 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Songs. It is also featured in the soundtrack of the video game EA Sports FC 25 (2024).
Year-end lists
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitchfork | The 100 Best Songs of 2024 | 95 |
Charts
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) | 12 |
References
- ^ Armstrong, Megan (March 20, 2024). "Porter Robinson can't escape a squad of obsessed dolls in his 'Cheerleader' video". Uproxx. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (March 21, 2024). "Porter Robinson shares pop mission statement 'Cheerleader'". Clash. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Dunworth, Liberty (March 26, 2024). "Listen to Porter Robinson's explosive new single 'Cheerleader'". NME. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ Partridge, Ken (March 21, 2024). "Porter Robinson examines the complexities of fan-artist relationships on new song 'Cheerleader'". Genius. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Seip, Nick (July 29, 2024). "Porter Robinson Smile! :D review: Sincere and unvarnished". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (March 25, 2024). "Florrie's resilient 'The Lost Ones' and 4 more cool new pop songs this week". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ Harrison, Dan (July 26, 2024). "Porter Robinson – Smile! :D". Dork. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Joyce, Colin (July 26, 2024). "Porter Robinson: Smile! :D album review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Telling, Gillian (March 20, 2024). "EDM superstar Porter Robinson is going pop! Listen to his first single 'Cheerleader'". People. Archived from the original on March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ Facchi, Cleber (March 25, 2024). "Porter Robinson abre passagem para nova fase na carreira com 'Cheerleader'" [Porter Robinson opens the way to a new phase in his career with 'Cheerleader']. Música Instantânea (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. "Smile! :D review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Matthew (July 26, 2024). "Smile! :D is Porter Robinson's most unflinching work yet". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ "Porter Robinson – Smile! :D". Clash. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Porter Robinson Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "EA Sports FC 25 – official soundtrack". Electronic Arts. September 16, 2024. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ "Pitchfork's 100 best songs of 2024". Pitchfork. December 2, 2024. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.