Pom Pom Squad and their debut album ‘Death Of A Cheerleader’ recently made numerous year-end lists over at Rolling Stone, NPR, Consequence, Paste, and more, and today the Brooklyn band further leaves their mark on the year with a collaboration with one of their musical idols — Nada Surf. Pom Pom Squad not only just dropped a cover (via City Slang Records) of Nada Surf’s brilliant rock ode to adolescent disillusionment “Popular”, they featured Nada Surf singer/guitarist Matthew Caws on the track and also recreated the now-legendary music video going as far to film it at Bayonne High School, the same location of the original. Not to mention, “It’s the last video I’ll ever do on a football field” according to Berrin.
What started as some playful tweets that Pom Pom Squad posted about their admiration for Nada Surf evolved into an actual tour between both artists over the past fall and now this new collaboration — a full circle moment for one of 2021’s most celebrated new voices in rock music
“Working with Nada Surf was such a dream,” said Mia Berrin of Pom Pom Squad. “They’re such an incredible group of individuals and were so kind to everyone in PPS during our time out on tour together. It’s hard not to be inspired by their career, so to intersect with their legacy even a little bit is really special.”
“i think the video is amazing! i love how it feels like a shot-for-shot recreation at the start but quickly takes on its own totally new character. the original was shot in 1996, looking back at previous decades, while this one feels set in the present day, looking inwards and towards the future.” Says Matthew Caws and adds: “another really cool aspect of the video is that the cheerleader character feels more and more sincere and human as the story develops. by the end, she’s much more than a player in a high school creation, she’s a person in the world and the singer of the song.”
“Popular” follows the release of their Spotify’s Fresh Finds original track “Until It Stops” and a tidal wave of praise for their debut album which Pitchfork called “a fiery exploration of love, anger, and coming-of-age”, Consequence described as “a band embracing the lack of confines in 21st century rock”, and for which NPR boldly proclaimed “rarely does an artist land in a creative sweet spot like Berrin has”. Pom Pom Squad was named one of Stereogum’s “40 Best New Bands Of 2021” who said that the record is “packed with sticky hooks, minor-key misery, and dramatic orchestral anthems. Each cut is topped off by Berrin’s agile vocals, which yelp, soar, and transmit a vibrant spectrum of emotion.”
Pom Pom Squad also recently announced a forthcoming headlining North American & European tour to kick off next Spring.
