July 26th 2024 Electronic Pop 40:03
Label: Mom + Pop
Performed By: Porter Robinson
Guests and Features: Frost Children
Producers and Engineers: Porter Robinson, Gavin Bendt
Cover Art or Photography: Porter Robinson
Porter Robinson is back! After dropping a surprise teaser for a new project in early 2025 and dropping the banger that is ‘Cheerleader’, his music style changed dramatically. The thing I love about Porter is how each one of his projects is so clearly distinct and unique in it’s own way but regardless of how different it may sound, it’s always good.
SMILE 😀 is a throwback and a love letter to so many things. Music, his fans and the early 2000’s online scene. This is done both with the album’s sound, having some nods to online culture, and with the visual representation. It’s a totally in-your-face, full-energy album from start to finish, and although it may sound a bit all over the place, does a really good job putting the message across. Let’s take a closer look, track by track.
Track one is the aptly named ‘Knock Yourself Out XD’ (yes, the XD is necessary). Straight away, from the millisecond you hear the first note, you know what you’re in for. A bright and digital synth pierces through your ears for a brief moment before the rest of the song comes in. It sounds like an ode to late 2000’s internet culture.
Lyrically, the song seems to be about the side of fame often seen on social media. He talks about not knowing how to do basic tasks without asking his management team, being soulless, living in the afterglow and bragging about having a face tattoo. It’s a fun sort of middle finger to the whole online fan-obsessed music scene and shows a real contrast between the image Porter is painting of himself and the real him. It’s a fun song and a great way to open the album.
Now, track two, ‘Cheerleader’ was the main single from the album, and the song dropped to announce the album. I remember listening to it and being so excited that we were getting new Porter music. Cheerleader seems to be a song about unhealthy and borderline obsessive relationships, often propelled by the internet and today’s modern age of interconnectivity.
“There’s no doubt.
I can tell you’re acting your heart out.
And she’s addicted, obsessed like “I know I can fix him”
She’s got hearts in her eyes
And she draws me kissing other guys
Her love, the type where she don’t know where to draw the line.”
Composition-wise, the song feels like a blend of an EDM song and an early 2000s emo anthem. Think a mix between Porter and Fall Out Boy. The song is really well produced and makes use of both the electronic and rock-esque elements perfectly. It’s catchy and memorable, that lead synth that Porter himself stated he wanted it to “be so loud that it almost becomes unstable” will get stuck in your mind. The bridge of the song becomes a bit more heartfelt and soft, with Porter realising that he loves the affection he recieves
“Somehow,
I don’t even know what she does now.
Do I wish her the best or do I actually miss her?
She had hearts in her eyes
She was rooting for me all the time
Her love, the type that makes you dedicate your life
Oh, my cheerleader
Thought she needed me, but I need her”
A touching end to a song about borderline obsession. Sadly, when I saw Porter live back in March of 2025, I had to leave early as my train was coming and later on when checking social media, I missed Cheerleader live, but still, the show was incredible.
Track 3, ‘Russian Roulette’ is perhaps the darkest song Porter has ever written. I remember listening to it in bed on the day it came out and feeling this overwhelming sadness for Porter. I know he mentions his struggles on Nurture, but on that album, he did it in a more positive way, shedding light on his situation and talking about getting better. Russian Roulette is the exact opposite. In the track, he makes extensive comments on the absurdity of internet culture, the pointlessness of it all and finally, eludes to the idea about taking his own life.
“Then I close my eyes
Gamble with my life
Trying not to smile
Maybe this time, I won’t be alright
Maybe this time.
It’s a deeply personal song that gives us a bit more of a realistic but sad view into Porter’s mental state at his lowest point – something we as his audience have never really seen this close up before. Like he always does, however, he turns it around into a powerful message about finding meaning in life again, even if it is through small things he likes, such as simply wanting to thank his dad or see his cat again. He snaps back to seriousness at the end of the song with a final message to anyone who might be going through difficult times.
“Don’t kill yourself, you idiot”.
Track 4, ‘Perfect Pinterest Garden’, is one of my favourite tracks on the whole album. It’s just so much fun to listen to. The song is very good lyrically and brings up the recurring theme on this album which is the relationship between Porter and his fans.
“I don’t care if you buy it, I just want you to pay
Keep you there in my pocket, ’cause you got in the way
I know you so much better,
Do you understand?
I got your name on my sweater and your life in my hands”
Although an exaggeration, it is kinda true. Porter’s fans, the people who listen to his music, buy his show tickets and have his name on their clothes from his merchandise, have his life and career in their hands. If we no longer listened to his music, what would he do with his life? – It’s an interesting dynamic.
The song goes on to the chorus, and it’s so catchy and well-made. He talks about somebody saying the things he himself is holding back from saying. Perhaps he has something he wants to say and get off his chest, but can’t for fear it would upset some people. In the second verse, he mentions some of the funny sides of fame, such as not being able to go out with his partner Rika without being spotted.
“Let’s go out
You said I couldn’t let my guard down, no matter where I was
Let’s turn around
I’m so dramatic
It’s a consequence of what I’ve done.
Hold on darling
I know a place where wIwon’t be spotted
A perfect Pinterest garden
I’ll get a job, two kids, restart it
And if you saw me, a stranger in the streets,
could you tell me you love me?
Maybe we should both make real friends.
It again explores this parasocial relationship artists have with their fans, commenting on how, if they actually met in real life, would they be able to tell them they love them. Again, another interesting dynamic.
The fifth track, ‘Year Of The Cup’ is a bright, airy and spacious song about how Porter struggles to keep his image and details events that he is ashamed of such as lashing out at a fan on social media.
It’s a great song overall and is made of a mashup of Lil Wayne interview samples, twinkling pianos and light percussion. It may sound random, but it really does work well. Porter’s vocals are also impressive with him being able to hold relatively high notes without the use of vocal effects like the ones seen on Nurture.
‘Kitsune Maison Freestyle’ is the name of the sixth song on SMILE. It’s a fun, lighthearted song about looks versus feels. Its topic is centred on how everyone wants to look good, wearing the latest designer brands and how ultimately, this means nothing.
“Your girl was staring at my bag
Wouldn’t look good on her, so sad.
Been on a diet, can’t eat that
Everybody’s just trying to look good, trying not to feel bad“.
Despite all the expensive clothes, designer products and body modifications he has, it doesnt make him happy. During the bridge of the song, he opens up about how he regrets getting his teeth fixed cosmetically.
Composition-wise, the song sounds right at home on SMILE with its bright sound font usage, almost 8-bit sounding snares and cute twinkling background elements. Interestingly, Porter’s vocals on this track are used in combination with a vocal effect that pitches his voice up and adds some slight grain to it. This could represent the alter ego of the typical internet flexer, always showing off their new and expensive designer clothes. This completely contrasts with the real Porter though as his unedited voice is the one to confess that he regrets changing himself for his image.
‘Easier To Love You’ takes Track 7 on the disc and is such a touching song. It’s a message to remember to look after yourself and appreciate who you are.
The song consists mainly of a guitar loop over an acoustic drum track with Porter’s natural voice carrying us through the song. It’s sort of written as a note to a younger self.
“There you were
You’re gonna make a scene.
Comparing yourself to the person you were at age seventeen.”
Porter goes on to talk about the changes he has experienced since, such as growing up, putting on a suit to go to a grown-up job and not recognising himself in the mirror anymore. The main chorus of the song is around it being easier to love someone if they could just accept how amazing and unique they are and view themselves from a loved one’s point of view.
One of the most touching moments on the whole album however is the throwback to Nurture Porter makes in the second verse. In this section, the vocal preset from Nurture is turned on, suggesting Porter is talking to his old self. It’s a really special moment.
“I found a letter,
“Dear future me,
I promise I’ll take care of the person we’ll both be eventually.
I’ll pick up painting,
Oh! Oh! and I’ll join the gym
I can’t shake the feeling that I’ll be happy by the time I’m him”.
The letter is from Nurture-era Porter singing about the things he is going to do for himself so that the future him, such as SMILE-era Porter, can have a better life. It’s like doing yourself a favour, three years down the line. A really well-made and special moment on the whole album.
Is There Really No Happiness is a song about nostalgia and needing to feel alive. In it, Porter talks about growing up, remembering his first interaction with a computer and connecting to the internet.
The grand finale of SMILE is a track called ‘Everything To Me’, and in my opinion, it’s the best way to finish this album. It’s sort of an acceptance of his situation and a heartfelt thank you to his fans. Porter accepts that online parasocial relationships won’t simply go away but that in this, there are people who care about him and wish him well and that this has afforded him his life in music.
“Strobe lights,
heart signs.
then it’s over.
It’s over”.
This shows the permanence of his situation. He may prepare months for a show, only for it to be over in a few hours. Everyone goes home, the lights turn off and he’s alone with no one around. He also comments on the level of connection he has with his fans on a personal level.
“Saw me fondly
You don’t know me,
but you know me”.
We know Porter through his music, his art, his appearances but we don’t know him. It’s an interesting dynamic for sure and one that is approached with respect for us. Porter isn’t lashing out in some fit of rage ,”you don’t know me’ but he’s admitting ‘you know me, but you don’t know the real me.
The song is absolutely beatuiful and is the most ‘natural’ sounding on SMILE. There are no bright, flashy synths, no EDM or trap style drums – it’s just Porter and a guitar and well, us.
“It’s you
and me
and the air in between
~ mmmm
All of me, and all of you
Nothing else in the room.
This seems like it’s everything to me”
It’s a deeply personal moment on the whole album where Porter drops the theme of parasocial relationships and talks directly to each one of us. It’s him saying that music is his life and that he is thankful for us being there to listen to his work.
“I shouldn’t say I love you
I don’t know your name
But I’ll just say it anyways
‘Cause it feels the same.“
And after the final chorus, the slow song fades out, and that is the end of SMILE. All I can say is what an album. It’s so fun, so bright, and whilst being so positive, it also manages to talk about some really serious subjects whilst keeping the message hopeful. I love that Porter can change his style on each one of his projects, and it will still sound incredible.
We have the EDM classic ‘Worlds’ from 2014, which explores themes of escapism and other worlds. We have 2021’s ‘Nurture’ – an album about recovery, self-acceptance and overcoming personal struggles, and now we have SMILE. All I can wonder now is what style Porter is going to try his hand at next? whatever it is, I’ll listen.
Of course, I pre-ordered the CD on Amazon and have now added it to my collection. All I can say is thank you to Porter for including us on this album.
Thanks for reading.