cheyenne dan’s 'butterflies' takes you back to your first heartbreak — in a good way
By Nora Rhein
The New Jersey-based band Cheyenne Dan just released their newest EP Butterflies as an introduction to their sound. Formed in 2018, the group is self-described as power-pop, surf rock, and garage rock. Other than their musical identity, they characterize themselves through humor with antics like the “eggnog chug” that drummer Colin Lawn debuts on their Instagram (one quart in 34 seconds… not bad).
Despite having a comedic online presence, Butterflies reveals the emotions beneath the surface and paints an intimate portrait of the inside of their minds. This seems to be the theme of the EP: juxtaposition. In every song, there are contrasting elements that add new layers of depth. Writing about the self-hatred and vulnerability that comes with heartbreak makes listeners feel like Cheyenne Dan was watching our collective adolescence.
The title track “Butterflies” plays heavy on nostalgia with the rhythmic guitar and magnified analysis of regret. Listeners feel the secondhand embarrassment of cringey memories and botched interactions with crushes from lyrics like, “Oh my god I’m being rude / I wish that I made a move last night.” One shortcoming after the other, this is a love song for those who hate being in love: “Butterflies in my stomach gonna make me puke / I’m too old to be this confused.” Dread is intensified by moody lyric delivery from vocalist Jonah Malvey, who nails the reluctance and humor of the song. One of the most striking aspects of this track is the amazing guitar solo near the end that really showcases the group’s mastery over their sound. This opening is a good start to set the mood of the album and establishes how skilled they are with their instruments. From personal experience, listeners will be humming “If I said it would I get a reaction / If I said it would I get a reaction” to themselves for days.
“High in Bed” follows the same theme of contrasting sound with subject matter. This is a more subdued, heartbreaking ballad that takes a lonelier perspective on love. Sonically, the slow rhythm and nostalgic snare beats take listeners back to their first prom. Except, instead of celebrating a first love, “High in Bed” is a wistful self-deprecating pity party of one. It’s the kind of dreamy melody that plays at a high school dance, but with lyrics so isolating that we visualize the vocalist dancing by himself, distorted and lonely in the middle of the dance floor. With this contrast comes the similar themes of longing in the first track with lines like, “I wish I could sleep at night / I wish I could change your mind.” This feels less like a proposition, and more like the desperate bargaining stage of an unrequited love: “We could get high in bed/ We’ll pretend we’re in love.” Ultimately, the guitar dissonance announces the end of the fantasy, and we’re left with an empty space where our hearts used to be.
Switching the mood again, “I Hope You Cry” is the track where their surf-rock influence can be heard the most. The contrast in this song is the juxtaposition of a toxic relationship with humorous lyrics. It’s catchy, it’s upbeat, and it’s maliciously funny. Random outbursts pop out throughout the song, like “We didn’t have a lot of tourists in my town, we just had freaks… and pickup trucks.” This is also where their unified talent as a group shines through, with more balanced playing and vocals. The chord progressions and backing vocals are reminiscent of the Beach Boys if they were a 90’s alt band who also hated their exes. In all of its irony and spitefulness, “I Hope You Cry” is one of the stronger tracks on the EP.
Last is “Watching TV,” another 180 degree switch from the last track. It’s not as overtly angsty as previous songs, but it’s beautifully melodic. The hypnotizing repetition of lyrics mixed with the low layered vocals creates a calmer ambience. It’s not necessarily a comforting calm; it’s more of a numbness, from lyrics like “And I didn’t feel a thing / Until I had to watch her leave.” The melody is wonderful, and the guitar riffs are infectious. This track shows they have the potential to create really sophisticated material, so leaning into this experimental sound could push them even further into originality.
The last two tracks are acoustic versions of “Butterflies” and “I Hope You Cry.” Other than an added bonus, it’s interesting to hear the variation between the heavy and the stripped back versions. Listeners get a clearer idea of the vision, and the option between listening to slightly less chaotic versions of the original tracks.
With their newest EP, Cheyenne Dan shows they have a promising career ahead of them. It’s not perfect, but it’s an impressive body of work. I suggest listening to this EP multiple times because it’s easy to make snap judgements in garage rock, but their musicianship deserves attention. They’re able to gauge deeper feelings: longing for someone, wishing to be different, hoping someone who hurt them cries. All the while they seamlessly contrast these themes with their respective melodies, like when the subject of love is mixed with sounds of despair. Overall, Butterflies is a strong jumping off point that proves Cheyenne Dan is not your average garage band.