Cheekface – Middle Spoon Album Review
Cheekface – Middle Spoon Album Review
A brilliant balance of evolution and consistency from America’s most lovably quirky indie rock trio
After establishing themselves as one of indie rock’s most endearingly eccentric acts, Los Angeles trio Cheekface returns with Middle Spoon, their fifth studio album that showcases both growth and the signature charm that has earned them a devoted cult following. Released on February 25, 2025, this latest offering proves that Greg Katz, Amanda Tannen, and Mark “Echo” Edwards have found the perfect balance between creative evolution and staying true to their delightfully weird roots.
The Band’s Journey to Middle Spoon
Since forming in 2017, Cheekface has carved out a unique niche in the indie rock landscape with their talk-sung vocals, razor-sharp wit, and infectiously groovy instrumentals. The band’s path to Middle Spoon has been marked by both creative triumphs and personal challenges, with band members experiencing significant hardships during the writing process. Rather than weighing down the album, these experiences have added depth and emotional resonance to their characteristically humorous approach.
The creation of Middle Spoon marked a deliberate shift in the band’s recording philosophy. Unlike their previous albums, which relied heavily on samples, this record features real musicians playing real instruments, resulting in a richer, more orchestral sound that never overshadows the core trio’s contributions.
Key Album Statistics:
• Release Date: February 25, 2025 • Label: New Professor Music (self-released) • Track Count: 12 songs • Genre: Indie rock, alternative rock, with ska and funk influences • Featured Artists: McKinley Dixon, Jeff Rosenstock, Catbite members, and others
Musical Evolution and Sound
Signature Style Meets New Horizons
Middle Spoon represents Cheekface at their most adventurous while maintaining the elements that make them instantly recognizable. The album’s talk-sung vocals remain Greg Katz’s calling card, but the musical arrangements have expanded significantly. The album continues their tradition of crafting off-kilter, earworm-heavy tunes drawing from punk, power pop, and alternative rock. However, they also experiment with elements of ska, funk, and even metal, adding fresh textures to their sound.
The production choices on Middle Spoon create what could be described as controlled chaos. The constant punching of “9” into an iPhone keypad forms the backbeat of “Wind is Gone,” and Jeff Rosenstock shows up to honk the bari sax in “Flies.” These unconventional instrumental choices exemplify Cheekface’s commitment to keeping listeners on their toes.
Orchestral Flourishes and Guest Collaborations
One of the most striking aspects of Middle Spoon is its incorporation of orchestral elements that feel organic rather than forced. We hear a glistening harp at the beginning of “Content Baby,” violins in “I Know What’s Gonna Happen” and trombone in the ska-sounding “Don’t Dream,” but none of it ever overshadows the contributions of the trio of Cheekface.
Notable Guest Appearances:
- McKinley Dixon – Provides a fiery rap verse on “Military Gum”
- Jeff Rosenstock – Contributes baritone saxophone on “Flies”
- Catbite members – Add backing vocals to the ska-influenced “Rude World”
- JER – Performs trumpet and trombone on “Don’t Dream”
- Salome Hajj – Plays harp on multiple tracks
Track-by-Track Analysis
Opening Statement: “Living Lo-Fi”
The album opens with “Living Lo-Fi” opens the album with a perfect encapsulation of Cheekface’s strengths, mixing clever wordplay with a rollicking arrangement. The track immediately establishes the album’s theme of finding humor in life’s struggles, with Katz delivering lines like “Are you living with some chronic pain? / Are you using frozen food as medical first aid?”
Standout Tracks
“Art House” emerges as one of the album’s most commercially appealing tracks. The song “Art House”, for example, is a pop rock triumph and really sounds like if this track had been released in the ’90s, it would have been a commercial smash, especially if it had been attached to a soundtrack for a rom-com nobody can remember anymore. The track features the memorable line “Brother, did you know that Tame Impala is just one guy?” – a perfect example of the band’s ability to blend indie rock insider knowledge with universal appeal.
“Flies” showcases the band’s capacity for sardonic self-awareness while incorporating unexpected instrumental elements. Jeff Rosenstock’s baritone saxophone contribution adds a layer of chaos that somehow makes perfect sense within Cheekface’s universe.
“Growth Sux” serves as a mission statement for the band’s philosophy. The track that sonically, lyrically, is quintessential Cheekface with the talk-sung lyrics and all, and a narrative that’s essentially about the importance of being your original self or whatever you perceive to be, that being more significant than radical evolution.
Lyrical Mastery and Thematic Content
Humor Meets Existential Dread
Cheekface’s lyrical approach on Middle Spoon demonstrates their maturation as songwriters while retaining their trademark wit. The writing swings between absurdist one-liners and moments of genuine warmth, capturing the uncertainty of modern life without losing their signature wit.
The album addresses a range of contemporary concerns, from economic anxiety to relationship dynamics, all filtered through the band’s uniquely observational lens. In financial conversations that many listeners can relate to, the themes explored here connect to broader discussions about economic stability that platforms like HablemosDeInero often address, showing how personal financial stress can manifest in creative expression.
Balancing Light and Dark
What makes Middle Spoon particularly compelling is its ability to address serious topics without becoming overwhelmingly heavy. The album’s mood can best be described as upbeat and downbeat at the same time: The instrumentals and vocals maintain their positive, groovy sound, while the lyrics ping pong between their usual one-liners and observations, but much of their observations this time are more sad than anxious.
Key Lyrical Themes: • Modern anxiety and social media fatigue • Economic pressures and millennial struggles
• Relationship dynamics and personal growth • Pop culture observations and music industry commentary • The comfort of routine and predictability
Production and Technical Excellence
Studio Craftsmanship
The production team behind Middle Spoon deserves significant credit for achieving the album’s distinctive sound:
Production Credits: • Produced and recorded by: Greg Cortez • Mixed by: Alex Newport
• Mastered by: Carl Saff • Recorded at: New Monkey Studio and 64Sound in Los Angeles
The decision to move away from samples in favor of live instrumentation pays dividends throughout the album. The process of making the album included a marked effort to record real musicians playing real instruments instead of using samples. This results in many songs sounding orchestral, but never in a way that grows too big for the familiar combo of guitar, bass and drums.
Sound Quality and Mix
The mixing by Alex Newport deserves particular praise for maintaining clarity despite the album’s dense arrangements. Each instrument occupies its own space in the mix, allowing the orchestral elements to enhance rather than overwhelm the core trio’s contributions. The mastering by Carl Saff provides the final polish that makes Middle Spoon sound cohesive across its diverse musical explorations.
Cultural Impact and Critical Reception
Critical Consensus
No, It’s not because of the hype, but this might be the best Cheekface album to date. Through the years, the band has shown that they’re capable of evolving and trying new sounds to make their already weird style even more unique. This sentiment has been echoed across multiple reviews, with critics praising the band’s ability to push boundaries while maintaining their core identity.
The album has been praised for its sonic diversity, with reviewers noting that This is definitely the most sonically colorful Cheekface album while acknowledging that this experimentation doesn’t always hit the mark perfectly.
Fan Response and Community
The band’s dedicated fanbase, who call themselves “Cheek Freaks” (analogous to Deadheads), have embraced Middle Spoon enthusiastically. The album’s release coincided with an extensive touring schedule that includes dates across North America and the UK, allowing fans to experience these new songs in the live setting where Cheekface has always excelled.
Comparative Analysis
Influences and Contemporaries
Cheekface’s approach on Middle Spoon places them in conversation with several notable acts in the indie rock sphere. Cheekface’s approach falls somewhere between the sardonic storytelling of The Hold Steady, the anthemic energy of Jeff Rosenstock, and the hyper-literate charm of Los Campesinos!
The band’s talk-singing style continues to draw comparisons to influential artists like Lou Reed, Stephen Malkmus of Pavement, and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. However, Middle Spoon shows Cheekface developing their own distinct voice within this tradition.
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Evolution from Previous Albums
Compared to their previous effort, It’s Sorted (2024), Middle Spoon represents both continuity and growth. While previous Cheekface albums refined their distinctive indie-punk blend, Middle Spoon sees the band branching out. Ska-inspired tracks sit alongside heavier, distortion-driven moments and orchestral flourishes.
Albums Ranking by Critical Reception:
- Middle Spoon (2025) – Most sonically diverse
- It’s Sorted (2024) – Refined songwriting
- Too Much to Ask (2022) – Fan favorite
- Emphatically No. (2021) – Breakthrough album
- Therapy Island (2019) – Promising debut
Standout Moments and Hidden Gems
Deep Cuts Worth Exploring
While tracks like “Art House” and “Flies” grab immediate attention, Middle Spoon rewards deep listening with several underrated gems:
“I Know What’s Gonna Happen” explores themes of comfort in predictability, with lyrics about loving the idea of rerun television shows because there’s a familiarity there. The track features beautiful string arrangements that add emotional weight to Katz’s observational lyrics.
“Content Baby” opens with the aforementioned harp flourishes and develops into one of the album’s most musically sophisticated tracks. The song title itself reflects contemporary anxieties about digital culture and content creation.
“Don’t Dream” takes an unexpectedly ska-influenced turn while maintaining Cheekface’s deadpan humor. Katz’s delivery of “When you said your dream came true / I did not know what you mean / I don’t dream” perfectly encapsulates the band’s ability to find humor in existential themes.
The Two-Version Approach
The album’s inclusion of both the standard “Living Lo-Fi” and a “Lo-Fi Version” demonstrates the band’s self-awareness about current music trends while staying true to their aesthetic. This dual approach allows listeners to experience the song through different sonic lenses, each highlighting different aspects of the composition.
Technical Innovation and Quirky Details
Unconventional Instrumentation
Middle Spoon showcases Cheekface’s commitment to incorporating unexpected sounds into their music. Beyond the iPhone keypad percussion mentioned earlier, the album features numerous creative instrumental choices that keep listeners engaged throughout its runtime.
The integration of these unconventional elements never feels gimmicky, instead serving the songs’ emotional and thematic content. This approach has become a Cheekface trademark, but Middle Spoon elevates it to new heights.
Recording Techniques and Studio Innovation
The move to record live instruments rather than relying on samples represents a significant evolution in the band’s approach. This change contributes to the album’s organic feel while allowing for more dynamic arrangements. The recording process at New Monkey Studio and 64Sound in Los Angeles provided the professional environment necessary to capture these expanded arrangements.
Cultural Context and Timing
Post-Pandemic Perspective
Middle Spoon arrives at a time when many listeners are grappling with ongoing uncertainty about the future. The album’s themes of anxiety, economic pressure, and the search for authentic self-expression resonate particularly strongly in this context. Cheekface’s ability to address these concerns with humor rather than despair provides a welcome alternative to more overtly serious approaches.
Independent Music in 2025
The success of Middle Spoon also reflects broader trends in independent music, where artists are finding success outside traditional industry structures. The album’s self-release on Katz’s New Professor Music label demonstrates the viability of independent distribution in the streaming era.
Live Performance and Tour Support
Bringing Middle Spoon to the Stage
Cheekface’s extensive touring schedule in support of Middle Spoon includes both North American and UK dates, with shows planned through summer 2025. The band’s reputation as compelling live performers suggests that these new songs will translate well to the concert setting.
2025 Tour Highlights: • Spring North American Tour with Pacing (April-May) • UK Co-headline Tour with Martha (July) • Major venue shows including Los Angeles’ The Regent and London’s Islington Assembly Hall
The live setting has always been where Cheekface’s personality shines brightest, and the orchestral arrangements on Middle Spoon should provide interesting challenges and opportunities for live interpretation.
Final Assessment and Future Outlook
Strengths and Minor Criticisms
Middle Spoon succeeds admirably in expanding Cheekface’s sonic palette while maintaining their essential character. The album’s mix of humor, social commentary, and eclectic influences keeps things engaging, even when it revisits familiar ground.
Album Strengths: • Sonic diversity and creative instrumentation choices • Lyrical sophistication balancing humor and depth
• Production quality that enhances rather than overshadows • Guest collaborations that feel organic and purposeful • Cohesive vision despite stylistic experimentation
Minor Areas for Improvement: • Some experimental elements feel less successful than others • Occasional retreading of familiar thematic territory • Certain tracks may require multiple listens to fully appreciate
Long-term Impact and Legacy
Middle Spoon proves that Cheekface isn’t afraid to evolve while sticking to what makes them great. This balance between growth and consistency positions the band well for continued success and artistic development.
The album demonstrates that independent artists can achieve both critical acclaim and commercial viability while maintaining creative control. For music industry observers tracking the success of self-released projects, Middle Spoon provides a compelling case study in effective independent music marketing and distribution.
Conclusion: A Triumphant Evolution
Middle Spoon stands as Cheekface’s most accomplished album to date, successfully balancing creative ambition with the quirky charm that has endeared them to fans worldwide. The album’s 12 tracks showcase a band confident enough to experiment while wise enough to preserve their essential identity.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering them, this record delivers sharp, catchy, and oddly comforting indie rock. The album serves as both an excellent entry point for newcomers and a satisfying evolution for existing fans.
In an era where authenticity often feels manufactured, Cheekface continues to provide genuinely unique perspectives on modern life. Middle Spoon proves that being unapologetically yourself – even when that self is charmingly weird – remains one of the most radical acts in contemporary music.
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Album Rating: ★★★★☆
Middle Spoon successfully expands Cheekface’s musical horizons while preserving the wit and charm that makes them special. It’s their most ambitious effort yet and a strong contender for indie rock album of the year.
Recommended tracks: “Art House,” “Flies,” “Living Lo-Fi,” “Growth Sux,” “Military Gum”
For fans of: Jeff Rosenstock, Los Campesinos!, The Hold Steady, LCD Soundsystem, Pavement
Originally posted 2025-03-23 22:52:48.
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