On their debut EP, Cashier play their hearts out across a collection of energetic, passionate, and fuzzed-out blasts of indie-shoegaze.
Release date: March 13, 2026 | Julia’s War Recordings | Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp
From Julie to Fleshwater to Wisp, shoegaze has been back in a big way throughout the 2020s. The glut of artists peddling the wall of sound and hushed vocal style has resulted in a homogeny that shows no sign of slowing down, meaning the groups who stand out (like the aforementioned) either have to play harder or more atmospheric – Britain’s deathcrash go the slow depressive route, while Lafayette’s Cashier pump the familiar indie-shoegaze aesthetics up with punky performances and a knack for strong, memorable melodies on their debut EP, The Weight.
The first single from this project, “Like I Do”, makes no bones about Cashier‘s influences: the driving tempo reminds of a modern classic like Whirr‘s “Ease”, but vocalist Kylie Gaspard slathers more attitude and zeal on top. The song’s pummeling bridge section, replete with guitar squealing and changeups in the drum beats, provides a rush into the final chorus that is utterly thrilling and, most of all, engaging – one can hear the abject fun being had by the quartet, and that fun is infectious. Its three-and-a-half minutes are over in a flash, leaving the listener on the edge of their seat and hungry for more; thankfully, Cashier have more where that came from.
Across The Weight‘s six songs, there’s no shortage of texture and detail – all the more impressive for a four-piece with a standard vocals/guitars/bass/drums configuration. “A Curse I Know So Well” goes on for nearly five minutes but is constantly moving and morphing, with Gaspard’s wide vocal range perfectly complimenting the rhythm shifting from Zachary Derouen’s uptempo skin smashing to just one or two bars of ambient power chording and back again. Cashier‘s command of songwriting feels invigoratingly fresh even though their influences are well-worn: “Same Mistakes” features a healthy does of flanger on the guitars, but even then they throw in feedback and ringing leads that hold absolute attention even as the lo-fi production threatens to swallow the mix whole. Of course, that last aspect will likely hold appeal for fans of ’90s underground indie rock; the title track hits the swaying, woozy sweet spot familiar to grunge fans with its slackerly vocal harmonies. Even the 34-second interlude “For I Never Knew You” – a heavy title for what’s essentially an ear-piercing guitar noodle – sticks in the mind for its bracing nature, and moreover actually feels like a break from the blown-out production sound even though it remains a prime example of it.
The EP’s centerpiece, “Part From Me”, is a masterstroke featuring relatable, heartbreaking lyrics: ‘My wasted time stands around/Do you notice when I have it figured out?/Don’t wait now‘. The longing, the hurt, the innocence and the defiance all come together beautifully on this song, a shoegaze anthem for the ages. As Gaspard concludes with ‘tell me what you wanna say/Wonderful to live this way/Apart from me, as just a part of me/Just part from me‘, the weary acceptance of separation feels authentically lived-in. The heart-caving-in feeling the track imparts lingers for long after it ends.
It’s a wonderful thing seeing an artist come into their own. Cashier have, with their ferocious but genuinely human take on shoegaze, put their best feet forward with The Weight. I wonder if they plan to refine and polish their next recording; while the mix isn’t unlistenable, it may prove to be a strain on the ears of unsuspecting listeners. Fortunately, it proves to be a fine match with the band’s musical style, which revels in its youthful dissonance. Cashier can keep the change: this was a joy to experience, and they deserve every extra penny they can get.
