LOS ANGELES, CA- When Darren Aronofsky makes a film, the atmosphere is as much a character as the people on screen. For Caught Stealing, his latest New York crime caper, Aronofsky tapped IDLES to help shape that atmosphere, and the result feels as raw and visceral as you’d expect. Released as part of the official soundtrack, “Cheerleader” is the second original track the band has unveiled from the project, and it’s a bruising reminder of just how much intensity they can pour into three minutes of music.
I love the vibe of this track. The textures are jagged and restless. Unlimited kinetic energy. Joe Talbot’s delivery feels unflinching… that familiar IDLES bark of conviction carrying lines that sound tailor-made for Aronofsky’s brand of urban chaos. Even without seeing the film yet, you can hear how “Cheerleader” must fuel the narrative. The high-stakes energy is undeniable, and it’s easy to imagine it colliding with a pivotal onscreen moment.
What makes this collaboration particularly fascinating is how seamlessly IDLES’ sound translates into a cinematic language. Aronofsky built his reputation on stories of obsession, decay, and flawed humanity, and the band’s feral pulse seems like a perfect extension of that. Their music has always been about more than riffs and volume; it’s about channeling the brutality of life into something cathartic. Here, they become not just a soundtrack but a sonic embodiment of the city itself.
The title “Cheerleader” is an interesting curveball. There’s nothing overtly jubilant about the song, so maybe that’s the point. Maybe it’s irony. That’s my guess. In a film about a washed-up ballplayer dragged into the underworld, the word “cheerleader” could be less about pom-poms and more about the false hopes that keeps people charging forward even as the walls close in. It’s a title that invites questions rather than giving answers, which feels right for both the band and the director.
I’m also struck by the timing of this project for IDLES. Coming off TANGK and its three Grammy nominations, they’re at the peak of their powers. They’ve got major festival slots ahead and a run with Deftones and My Chemical Romance… though sadly, no Los Angeles stop listed. For fans like me, that stings, but maybe the live debut of these Caught Stealing tracks will eventually find its way west.
Until then, “Cheerleader” gives us plenty to chew on. It’s gritty, exhilarating, and pure IDLES. A perfect collision of band and filmmaker that makes Aronofsky’s new world feel that much more dangerous and alive.
Follow IDLES on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*********************
IDLES 2025 Tour:
8/1 – Bristol, UK – Queens Square
8/2 – Bristol, UK – Queens Square
8/15 – Winterthur, CH – Steinberggasse
8/16 – Hasselt, BE – Pukkelpop
8/17 – Charleville-Mézières – Cabaret Vert
9/7 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park w/ My Chemical Romance
9/8 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre w/ Deftones
9/10 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena w/ Deftones
9/11 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Arena w/ Deftones
9/13 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center w/ Deftones
9/15 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena w/ Deftones
9/17 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center w/ Deftones
9/19 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees
9/21 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest
