"Cheerleader" | ||||
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Single by Porter Robinson | ||||
from the album Smile! :D | ||||
Released | March 20, 2024 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:57 | |||
Label | Mom + Pop | |||
Songwriter(s) | Porter Robinson | |||
Producer(s) | Porter Robinson | |||
Porter Robinson singles chronology | ||||
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"Cheerleader" is a song recorded by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson for his third studio album, Smile! :D (2024). An electropop and synth-pop song, its lyrics, written by Robinson, deal with parasocial relationships. "Cheerleader" was released on March 20, 2024, through Mom + Pop, as the lead single from Smile! :D. For his first solo release in two years, Robinson wanted to create something that people would enjoy "without context". [1] It was accompanied by a music video where Robinson enters a virtual reality.
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.
"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. [2] 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". [1] 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". [3] [4] The song features Robinson's own vocals, which Robin Murray of Clash described as "scintillating". [2]
An electropop [5] and synth-pop song, [6] multiple critics noted the contrast between its melody and lyrics. [7] [8] 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". [9] 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. [10] Colin Joyce of Pitchfork said that the track resembled the emo pop of Metro Station and the post-hyperpop of Glaive and Aldn. [8] 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", [6] while Dan Harrison of Dork noted the song's "bouncy synths and earworm melodies". [7] Robin Murray of Clash and Liberty Dunworth of NME described it as "explosive". [2] [3] Paul Simpson of AllMusic described the verses as resembling Phoenix's indie pop and the chorus as "soaring, anthemic [and] spiked with punchy breakbeats". [11]
"Cheerleader" was released on March 20, 2024, through Mom + Pop, as the lead single from Robinson's third studio album, Smile! :D . [1] [7] The song was accompanied by a music video directed by Hugh Mulhern and creative-directed by Bradley & Pablo, [9] [2] where Robinson enters a virtual reality. [3] [1] Harrison described "Cheerleader" as a highlight from the album due to its blend of depth and accessibility. [7] Lipshutz praised that Robinson had created "the complete opposite of background noise". [6] Matthew Kim of The Line of Best Fit wrote that the song "has the most euphoric hook of the year". [12] A Clash reviewer described it as "anthemic". [13] The song peaked at number 12 on Billboard 's Dance/Electronic Songs. [14] It is also featured in the soundtrack of the video game EA Sports FC 25 (2024). [15]
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
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US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs ( Billboard ) [14] | 12 |
Synth-pop is a music genre that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic, art rock, disco, and particularly the Krautrock of bands like Kraftwerk. It arose as a distinct genre in Japan and the United Kingdom in the post-punk era as part of the new wave movement of the late 1970s.
"Shelter" is a song by American DJ and record producer Porter Robinson and French DJ and record producer Madeon, released as a single on August 11, 2016. In October 2016, a music video, produced in collaboration with A-1 Pictures, was released.
Porter Weston Robinson is an American DJ and electronic music producer. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Robinson began producing electronic music during his adolescence. He signed to Skrillex's record label OWSLA at the age of 18 and released the extended play Spitfire in 2011. He appeared on Billboard's 21 Under 21 list in 2012.
"Language" is a song by American electronic music producer and DJ Porter Robinson. The song was uploaded on YouTube by Porter Robinson on April 1, 2012. The song was released in the United States on Big Beat Records as a digital download on April 10, 2012. The song was later released in the United Kingdom in an EP package from the Ministry of Sound on August 12, 2012. It debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song features uncredited vocals from Heather Bright. The song received remixes from producers Kayzo together with Gammer, and from Jauz.
Spitfire is the debut extended play (EP) by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on September 13, 2011, through Owsla. After releasing his 2010 single "Say My Name", Robinson expressed desire to explore different musical genres by producing an EP, diverging from his traditional eurodance style. Spanning a range of genres, Spitfire marked the inaugural release on Owsla and caused Beatport to crash following its promotion by musicians Skrillex and Tiësto. The EP charted at UK Dance Albums, Dance/Electronic Albums and Heatseekers Albums, with Robinson subsequently embarking on a tour to promote it. Songs "The State" and "Unison" received particular attention for their libertarian themes and use in DJ sets, respectively.
"Clarity" is a song by Russian-German DJ Zedd featuring the vocals of singer Foxes. It was released on 14 November 2012 as the third single from the former's debut studio album of the same name. The song was written by Zedd, Matthew Koma, Porter Robinson and Skylar Grey. It was released as iTunes Single of the Week on 2 October 2012, and as an 4-track remix EP on 12 February 2013, by Interscope Records. Zedd released an extended mix of the song exclusively on Beatport on 18 February 2018.
"Easy" is a song by British producer Mat Zo and American producer Porter Robinson. The song was released as a digital download in the United Kingdom by Ministry of Sound and Anjunabeats on 14 April 2013 and in the United States by Astralwerks on 7 May 2013. It debuted at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. The track samples vocals from the song "Nothing Better" by Colourblind.
Galantis is a Swedish electronic music act consisting of producer Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson. Formerly, they were a duo, alongside rising musician Style of Eye, until he decided to part ways with the project shortly after their sophomore album The Aviary in 2017. However, he made appearances in live performances and music videos as part of the project up until 2021.
Worlds is the debut studio album by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on August 12, 2014, by Astralwerks. Initially known for his heavier bass-centric production, Robinson became increasingly dissatisfied with the electronic dance music (EDM) genre, believing it limited his artistic expression. In 2012, Robinson released his first song with a greater emphasis on melody, "Language", and decided thereafter to prioritize aesthetic and emotional qualities in his work. He was inspired by media that evoked nostalgia for his childhood, and wrote music integrating elements taken from anime, films, and sounds from 1990s video games.
"Sad Machine" is a song recorded by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson for his debut studio album, Worlds (2014). For the song, Robinson had the concept of a duet between a robot and a human — these vocals are provided by a Vocaloid voice and Robinson himself, respectively. He wanted it to contain elements of fiction and nostalgia. Critics noted the song as synth-pop and the inspirations from Passion Pit, M83, and Sigur Rós.
"Lionhearted" is a song recorded by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson featuring the Swedish indie pop band Urban Cone for his debut studio album, Worlds (2014). It was one of the first songs Robinson wrote for the album. He decided to work with Urban Cone after listening to their vocals and finding them adequate for the song. After being premiered by Stereogum and at BBC Radio 1, it was released on June 17, 2014, as the album's third single. Multiple critics found the song influenced by Passion Pit and noted that it was the first on Worlds with a faster tempo. The song's release was accompanied by a music video, set in city streets. It charted in Belgium and the United States.
"Flicker" is a song recorded by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson. It was released on July 28, 2014 as the fourth single from his debut studio album Worlds (2014). Robinson wrote, produced, and performed the track. Musically, the song contains elements of disco and hip-hop, as well as sampling of soul music. Vocally, the song contains a text-to-speech voice incorrectly translating "never seen" Japanese song titles that have been chopped and screwed in a rap-like style.
The discography of American musician Porter Robinson consists of three studio albums, one remix album, three live albums, eight extended plays, one DJ mix, 33 singles, and 22 music videos. He first released music under Ekowraith in 2008, starting with "Booming Track".
"Ghost Voices" is a song by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson under the alias Virtual Self. It was released on November 8, 2017 as the second single from the alias' self-titled debut EP, which uses early 2000s sounds and aesthetics. Robinson said that "Ghost Voices" was the easiest song from the EP to compose, and he used a house-styled drum pattern and a trance-styled break. In 2018, the song received an official music video and was remixed by Raito and Robinson himself, the latter remix being called "Angel Voices". "Ghost Voices" received a nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Nurture is the second studio album by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on April 23, 2021, by Mom + Pop Music. The album was written in the years following Robinson's debut album Worlds (2014), a period when Robinson struggled with mental illness and writer's block. As a result, the album represents a significant stylistic shift in his work; critics noted that the album features a greater emphasis on acoustic instruments and personal lyrics, while retaining many elements of the innovative electronic style of Worlds. The album also prominently features Robinson's voice, as well as a processed, higher-pitched version. The album features themes of depression, and of learning to find beauty in everyday life and the natural world. Several songs also explore themes of family and love for the first time in Robinson's discography.
"Get Your Wish" is a song recorded by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson. It was released on January 29, 2020, as the first single from his second studio album Nurture. Robinson wrote, produced, and provided vocals for the track. The song contains elements of 2000s era Japanese animation soundtracks.
Hyperpop is a loosely defined electronic music movement and microgenre that predominantly originated in the United Kingdom during the early 2010s. It is characterised by a maximalist or exaggerated take on popular music, and artists within the microgenre typically integrate pop and avant-garde sensibilities while drawing on elements commonly found in electronic, hip hop, and dance music.
"Look at the Sky" is a song by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson. It was released on January 27, 2021, as the fourth single from his second studio album Nurture. The song is featured in the soundtrack of the video game Forza Horizon 5, on the Horizon Pulse radio station. It is also featured as a playable song in the arcade game Dance Dance Revolution A3, as well as the online Battle Royale video game Fortnite as a lobby music track in collaboration with Coachella 2023.
"Emo Girl" is a song by American musicians Machine Gun Kelly and Willow. Produced by Travis Barker, the song was released on February 4, 2022, as the second single off of Kelly's sixth studio album Mainstream Sellout, following "Papercuts".
Smile! :D is the third studio album by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on July 26, 2024, through Mom + Pop Music. In recording the album, Robinson sought to break away from many stylistic elements of his previous work. The music on the record draws from pop-punk, early 2000s rave, and hyperpop influences. Four singles – "Cheerleader", "Knock Yourself Out XD", "Russian Roulette", and "Kitsune Maison Freestyle" – were released to promote the work. The album received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its bold production and emotional depth, though some noted its chaotic structure. The album is being supported by a world tour from 2024 to 2025.