What would happen if our government was overthrown in favor of an anarchist utopia? The “green juice” at 7-11 would be free. Or at least that’s what we can gather from Cheekface’s ‘Dry Heat/Nice Town’. The track was written after co-writers Greg Katz and Amanda Tannen attended a Women’s March and takes a sardonic approach to our dystopian present. Where many bands might fail in discussing politics, creating something overtly dark or ham-fisted, Cheekface’s approach is bright and witty. If anything the trio are charming, Katz deadpanning his way through their 2019 album Therapy Island. Think if Lou Reed had a pop-y jaunt and a fear of late stage capitalism. Cheerful as ever the band list everything that is Cancelled™ (eyesight, memory, feelings, and Chipotle) on ‘Eternity Leave’ and give an anthem to the hand-wringers and over-apologizers of the world on ‘I Only Say I’m Sorry When I’m Wrong Now’. With Tannen’s steady yet upbeat bass lines and Mark Edwards’ bobbing drums the band are somehow impossibly catchy and incredibly anxious. Cheekface are cockeyed narrators, clever observers taking note of all things tragic and absurd.

Listen to “Glendale” and “Dry Heat/Nice Town” below, and keep up with Cheekface on Instagram.