Single Review | Cherym | Weird Ones

When Derry punk-trio Cherym released 'Abigail' earlier this year, the game changed.

A dynamic, pop-punk punch to the throat, 'Abigail's penchant for sparking a singalong was obvious from the first riff. The nuances were subtle, the delivery biting and when you've a chorus that good, it's difficult to get things wrong. On debut EP 'Mouthbreatherz', we heard a band finding their feet, albeit with brilliant songs like 'Pretty Boys' and 'Take It Back' pointing the way forward. 'Weird Ones' is a different beast altogether.

A darker edged, critical swipe at the friends who walk away, Cherym aren't happy losing their shit at a house party here. In fact, they aren't happy at all. When Hannah Richardson spits, "Stop, what's this? Yeah I see her in your friends list", you can feel the coruscating hurt. It's a fightback song, made all the more immediate by the melodies entrenched around her words. We hear a huge influence for the first time from Simon Neil, with an intro and verses particularly reminiscent of Biffy Clyro's breakthrough pop-crossover 'Puzzle'. Like the Biff in their punk heyday, 'Weird Ones' takes a break from chasing the effervescent pop-smash chorus we all know they can do, instead letting their emotions pour out in a different, more considered way. We do not yet know if Cherym are planning a debut record, but with an ever growing catalog of diverse, invigorating pop at their disposal, their canvas is getting bigger.

The hooks remain sharp and the rhythm is pounding, but 'Weird Ones' shows that Cherym are just as happy to go 12 rounds and win on points, as they are to knock you out in 1 punch. A welcome and exciting evolution.

Taylor Johnson