GIMME A C-R-U-S-H: Liza Anne’s Buoyant Single ‘Cheerleader’ Will Have You Shaking Your Ass (and Pom-Poms)
by Rosie Accola
Liza Anne released their anthemic summer bummer record “Bad Vacation” in July of 2020, just when the world was hunkering down deep into quarantine rather than packing their bags for a sardonic beach soiree.
Now, almost three years later, Liza Anne has relocated from Nashville to New York and burst onto the scene with their latest bombastic, energetic single, “Cheerleader,” a dizzying delight about a captivating queer crush, featuring an accompanying music video, directed by Jacq Justice. The music video’s star-studded cast includes Liza Anne, actor Eva Victor, Indie musicians Annie DiRusso and Becca Mancari, and Grey’s Anatomy’s E.R Fightmaster. Fun fact: Liza Anne, Fightmaster, and Victor first met when they starred in fellow Hooligan Lucy Dacus’ Wizard of Oz-themed music video for “Night Shift.”
“Cheerleader” is Liza Anne’s first single since publicly coming out as gay and non-binary. The music video features a revamped high school setting, complete with pleather goth-lite cheerleading uniforms and sparkly silver pom poms. The visuals speak to the idea of queerness and coming out as a sort of perpetual adolescence, infusing the often heteronormative ritual of prom with retroactive queer joy. How many queer twenty-somethings also wish they could have gone to prom while publicly out? Who wouldn’t love a football team full of queer indie musicians?
“Cheerleader” is anchored by a funky, disco-inspired bassline accompanied by lively horns. Incorporating disco and funk melodies into their new work feels like a natural next step for Liza Anne, who has spent the past few months curating Abba-themed DJ nights to raise money for abortion clinics. The chorus is gushing and giddy as Anne insists, “You’re so cute/ and you don’t even know/ talking that talk/ yeah I want it/ I want it,” with a level of enthusiasm that only a queer crush can garner. It’s a shining emblem of queer joy, smattered with hints of disco and funk lineages that have always been integral to queer communities.
From the Press release accompanying the video: “Cheerleader” reframes high school tropes and reclaims what has been dominated by heteronormative culture all with a sexy wink, choreographed ass shake, and a big smile.”
The music video fills the once fraught halls of a high school with unapologetic queer joy, acting as a salve for any queer twenty-something who had a less-than-ideal time in high school. The cast poses for campy prom photos in front of a pale blue background while the bassline grooves in the background. Victor and Liza Anne share a giggly kiss on a deserted football field. It’s lovely, with all the trappings of a queer rom-com while clocking in under five minutes (with a horns section!)
While musicians are wondering who will produce the song of the summer, I’d like to formally throw my pom-pom in for “Cheerleader.” It’s a song that is sure to have you choreographing your own cheer routine for your crush by the second listen.
You can watch the music video for “Cheerleader” here.
Stream “Cheerleader” on Spotify and Apple Music.