Cults - Cults [In the Name Of]

8.3

Not much is known about Cults, even after releasing their latest self-title debut. From simply browsing a Wikipedia page, I find that Cults are another simple indie pop duo that follows suit of Beach House and other hazy indie pop outfits out there. Made up of lead singer Madeline Follin and multi-musician Brian Oblivion, Cults are an ideal indie pop duo that fulfills their titles as a cutesy and fun duo.

Leading off their debut with the very earl single, “Go Outside”, Cults couldn’t have made a more appropriate and puzzling introduction. Appropriate because it shows their tenacity at creating hazy, laid back atmosphere with the fun theme of summertime, but it’s puzzling since they also have a sample of the speech of the ultimate cult leader Jim Jones. Though that could be a very pretentious clichéd trick in music to use dark speeches from cult leaders and tyrants, but Cults make it work through their ironic use of beautiful, cutesy melodies on top of dark, evil speeches.

Cults is a quick listen, only clocking in at around 34 minutes, it’s a perfect listen for a short ride to school or work. As well as being so short, there really isn’t a weak track. Cults stays consistent to its comfort area of heavy layered guitars and keyboards with the beautiful vocals of Follin. Though the instrumentation isn’t anything groundbreaking or new, Follin’s vocals make up for this lack of ambition a lot like Beach House records do. Her voice never falters, even under the stress it’s under on “You Know What I Mean” towards the climax of the track.

Not to say that the instrumentation isn’t lacking, it keeps to the theme of Cults perfectly. The production throughout Cults keeps the hazy, warped surf-rock sound fresh and fun. The chaotic conclusion to the LP’s finale “Rave On” really showcases Cults’ ability to be a touch epic with really heavily layered instrumentation. The joyous sounds of Cults will have you forgetting about how you’ve heard it all before because it’s so well produced and played.

Short and sweet are the easiest adjectives to sum up Cults. Their ability to create fresh and easy to listen to indie pop can appeal to any crowd of easy going music listeners. Cults are a wonderful addition to the ever growing list of indie pop acts that are making an impact on the music spectrum.

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