Brooklyn, NY

The Pom Pom Squad pep rally is all anthemic blasts of razor-sharp riffs that give way to lush orchestral arrangements and moodily sparse interludes. Frontwoman Mia Berrin charts the path from sugar-coated daydreams toward riot-grrrl rage with searing intensity. Identity crisis is Pom Pom Squad’s fuel for poppy, dance-ready rock ’n’ roll.