Cults
Biography
Cults is an American indie pop band that formed in New York City in 2010. The core members of the group are Brian Oblivion (guitar, vocals, and keyboards) and Madeline Follin (vocals). The two, both originally from San Diego, were students in New York when they formed the band. Follin was studying at The New School, while Oblivion was a documentary film student at New York University.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
The band first gained attention after releasing an EP, "Cults 7"", on their Bandcamp page. The track "Go Outside" became a viral hit, earning the "Best New Music" title from Pitchfork and leading to a record deal with Lily Allen's In the Name Of label, an imprint of Sony Music. Their self-titled debut album, "Cults," was released on June 7, 2011, to generally positive reviews. The album's song "Abducted" also received "Best New Music" honors from Pitchfork.
Musical Style and Subsequent Albums
Cults' music is often described as indie pop, dream pop, and experimental pop, characterized by a blend of gauzy sounds, '60s girl group harmonies, and atmospheric melodies. Following their debut, the band released their second album, "Static," in 2013. The album came after the romantic breakup of Follin and Oblivion and was noted for its darker themes, receiving favorable reviews. Their third album, "Offering," was released on October 6, 2017, followed by "Host" on September 18, 2020. For "Host," Follin took on a more significant songwriting role. The band released a new album titled "To the Ghosts" in 2024.
Notable Achievements and Collaborations
In 2013, Cults was featured on J. Cole's song "She Knows" from his album "Born Sinner," which sampled their track "Bad Things." The song reached number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band's song "Always Forever" was certified platinum in the U.S. in 2022. Over the years, Cults have collaborated with various artists and contributed to charitable albums like "Red Hot+Rio 2."
Recent Activity
In recent years, the band's music has found a new audience and gained viral attention on platforms like TikTok. Despite their decade-long career and significant listenership, the members have expressed that they still feel like they have much to prove. They continue to tour and perform, playing at festivals like Lollapalooza.