Cheese People

Imagine a neon-soaked basement party where the DJ only plays tracks that sound like they were recorded on a toy keyboard and a professional drum machine at the same time. Cheese People deliver a frantic, sugary, and slightly chaotic blend of indie-pop and new rave that feels like a sugar rush in musical form. It is bright, rhythmic, and unapologetically weird.

What truly sets them apart is Olya Chubarova's distinctive vocal style, often described as 'meow-style.' Her voice flits between breathy whispers and high-pitched, rhythmic chirps that treat the human voice more like a lead synthesizer than a traditional instrument. This, combined with their use of absurd samples and disco-influenced basslines, creates a sound that is both nostalgic for the mid-2000s blog-house era and uniquely Russian in its gritty, DIY execution.

Start with their self-titled 2008 debut. It captures the band at their most infectious and raw, featuring the tracks that defined the Russian indie scene of the era. It is the perfect entry point for anyone who likes their pop music with a side of surrealism and a heavy dose of danceable energy.