”Cherisher”, the new dreampop/shoegaze record by The Julies leans heavily on nostalgia. As Chris Newkirk (vocals, lyrics) says, “I felt in constant threat of succumbing to the whirlpool of the socio-political intensities of the times. To avoid being swallowed whole, I grabbed hold of the DNA-shaped truths of personal identity that took root and codified themselves in my youth.”
Chris, along with Alex Yost (guitar, bass, synths) and Patrick Zbyszewski (guitar, bass) round out The Julies line-up, which began life in Philadelphia in the mid-90s. Their backstory, as well as the full review of their excellent first LP, “Always & Always” (Lost in Ohio, 2023) are discussed here.
Sonically, ”Cherisher”’s standout influences, like the prior record, include 80s alternative stalwarts The Cure and New Order, as well as 90s bands like Ride, Lush, Kitchens of Distinction, Adorable, and Catherine Wheel, which all help define the band’s ethos.
As with their last record, Sarah Fuschia was recruited again, delivering beautiful sleeve art with a gentle nod of respect to Factory Records graphic designer, Peter Saville.
The new long-player may conjure the past but more as a reference to make sense of and navigate today’s world. It kicks off with a caffeinated jolt. “Marigolds” successfully marries heavy guitar pyrotechnics with Robert Smith -like one-string melodies in the vein of ”Disintegration” (Fiction, 1989). Chris’ lyrics fit the mood, shifting from darkness to light:
“Will we implode? Collapse and fold?
It’s a death trap oh this universe
And it’s beautiful to be this half-alive
And so we dream like it’s everything
The sunrises and sunsets, the atom bombs
We all need a little light”
The underlying music inspired and set the tone for Chris. As he recalls, “the sonic canvases Alex and Patrick were creating became an immersive counterpoint to all that shock and awe.”
The 80s-pop-swathed “Neon Afterlife” follows. Chris, as he often does, drops lyrical hints – sometimes overt, other times covert – painting a picture of a prior time and place:
“I remember singing Prince songs
When my life flashed before my eyes
And everything went dayglo
Like it was 1989”
Chris’ imagined club scene even includes Christianity’s central figure:
“So I’ll be dancing to ‘A Forest’ again
I just wanted to see Jesus
And he’s right where he always stands
In a trench coat on the dance floor”
“Chagall Pop” is a powerhouse – perhaps the best song on the new record. It’s a perfect blend of what The Julies do best; soaring melodies, dreamy vocals, and fuzzy guitars alongside clean and reverbed notes, all set on top of an addictive tempo.
The record is unrelentingly catchy. “Summermouth” epitomizes this. Released as a single in April ’25, it’s presence on “Cherisher” is welcome as it blisters and shimmers.
“Teenage Sadness” is comparatively heavy, dripping with barely restrained fuzzed out guitars. The outstanding January ‘26 single fit nicely on Jack Rabid’s February 2, 2026 radio show. It weaves in all the band’s musical muscle including Chris’ hallmark musical influences.
“I went away to hyphenate the orbit of the earth
And fall on my sword to The Head on the Door
“Love Is a Treason” takes a welcome page from Coventry, UK’s Adorable and their timeless stunner, “Vendetta”. The lyrics aren’t hiding anything, capturing the sentiments of many who see only hatefulness in the world:
“What’s a love song anyway,
When all they want to hear is hate?”
“Forever Songs” follows. It’s a solid tune, representative of all the band is focusing on these days. Taken on its own, it’s one of the better tracks on the record but it may get a bit lost among so many similar arrangements. That said, the one-minute breakdown in the middle is a nice innovation, allowing some breathing room before the song returns to full force. Good call!
“Rooms” ends ”Cherisher”. The 80s-rich synth intro and slower tempo is a welcome change for this fitting closer. With a somber, longing melodic structure, it’s actually one of the more inspiring, call-to-action tracks on the album.
“Rearrange everything again
But keep the art where it is
The space we make means even more
As the world caves in”
Craving more? Definitely check out “Black Metal”, a sharp single released in June ‘25, as well as “The Heartbreak Life” single released in April ’25. Both tracks were left off the final LP but stand up in their own right.
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