• Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jun 7, 2011
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 45
  2. Negative: 1 out of 45
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  1. Jun 3, 2012
    8
    Give it a few listens if the reverb is too much to handle at first. It grows on you quickly. Cults sound deceptively simple, but there's a lot to ding into, explore, and appreciate here.
  2. Feb 23, 2012
    5
    It's easy and fun at the expense of complexity and intelligence. It's indie for the masses. The Media industry is catching onto this marketable niche. Not that that's a bad thing, this isn't bad music (per se) and I can't speak for everyone, but there is much better music that is just as available.
  3. Oct 3, 2011
    10
    Cults are Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion, two film students who just happened to score the best retro soul-pop album of the year. Despite its name, itâ
  4. Aug 18, 2011
    10
    Cults is the epitome of good Indie Pop. The lilting vocals with the catchy instrumentation really hides the dark, somber lyrics from the listener. With so much doubt, not to mention quotes from various cult leaders, the contrast between lyric and music really hits home. "Go Outside" is an absolutely delightful track that got this band noticed, and the quote at the beginning the mostCults is the epitome of good Indie Pop. The lilting vocals with the catchy instrumentation really hides the dark, somber lyrics from the listener. With so much doubt, not to mention quotes from various cult leaders, the contrast between lyric and music really hits home. "Go Outside" is an absolutely delightful track that got this band noticed, and the quote at the beginning the most intelligible and makes you wonder why it's paired with such happy music. It's because the music actually isn't happy at all, it's conflictive, doubtful, but trying it's hardest to be happy. "Most Wanted" definitely effuses innocence and curiosity, then at the end it becomes really destructive, making you wonder what happened to the girl who knew what she wanted was bad for her? It doesn't sound good. "Abducted", "Never Saw The Point", and "Never Heal Myself" are all other highlights of the album, and "Bumper" and "Rave On" are also fantastic songs. Oh Hell, the whole album is fantastic. Expand
  5. Aug 7, 2011
    7
    When I was first exposed to The Curse by Cults in a NME radar mixtape during the summer of 2010 I knew they were onto something special. And Cults did not disappoint. The duo are an Indie-Pop sensation of upbeat piano and angelically childlike chorus in their epynoumous debut album. One thing that does bother me is the very clear structure of a pop song used in most of their songs and itWhen I was first exposed to The Curse by Cults in a NME radar mixtape during the summer of 2010 I knew they were onto something special. And Cults did not disappoint. The duo are an Indie-Pop sensation of upbeat piano and angelically childlike chorus in their epynoumous debut album. One thing that does bother me is the very clear structure of a pop song used in most of their songs and it doesn't mix too well with some of the subject matter, but like I said this is a debut album and if this is the start of their career then what to come will be awesome. Expand
  6. Aug 2, 2011
    9
    Cults first caught the attention of music bloggers and critics after posting three tracks on a nondescript website. Toss in a thumbs up from Pitchfork and you've officially got a a buzz band on your hands. Thankfully, Cults come through in a big way on their debut album. Although Madeline [vocals] and Brian [vocals, guitar] admittedly do not share many similarities in their taste ofCults first caught the attention of music bloggers and critics after posting three tracks on a nondescript website. Toss in a thumbs up from Pitchfork and you've officially got a a buzz band on your hands. Thankfully, Cults come through in a big way on their debut album. Although Madeline [vocals] and Brian [vocals, guitar] admittedly do not share many similarities in their taste of music, they found a common ground in the pop sounds from the 1960's. It is through this common love of an era decades ago that produces one of the stand-out albums of 2011 thus far. Expand
  7. Jul 26, 2011
    7
    A throw back band if there ever was one. Doesn't break new ground and the band's limitations and conventions become apparent rather quickly. Regardless if you are in the mood for a candy bar this will suffice.
  8. Jun 30, 2011
    8
    Having listened to this album so more, it is now growing more on me. Took longer than some other albums but I am now enjoying the experience alot more. Reminds me of Phantogram. They can only get better from now on in.
  9. Jun 7, 2011
    7
    It's unfortunate that Cults are still learning some of the basics of production; excessive reverb in particular plagues the album. What an otherwise near-perfect track "Go Outside" was while it was free on bandcamp has turned into somewhat of a mess on the album. "Most Wanted" is in a similar situation, but with an additionally far-too-loud-and-bright bass line on top of reverb the size ofIt's unfortunate that Cults are still learning some of the basics of production; excessive reverb in particular plagues the album. What an otherwise near-perfect track "Go Outside" was while it was free on bandcamp has turned into somewhat of a mess on the album. "Most Wanted" is in a similar situation, but with an additionally far-too-loud-and-bright bass line on top of reverb the size of the grand canyon. Whether or not the original duo decided to put reverb on everything including the kick drums (sigh) or their major label producers did, the songs are still catchy and charming. Catch the old versions of "Go Outside" and "Most Wanted" still up at cults.bandcamp.com while they're still there, because they're far better, but otherwise this album is still worth the money. Collapse
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Feb 2, 2012
    80
    Fantastic songs that have an uncanny ability to lodge their way firmly into your head.
  2. Mojo
    Jun 21, 2011
    80
    The New York boy-girl duo make sweet love to a musical memory. [July 2011, p. 107]
  3. Jun 21, 2011
    70
    Cults are excellent songcrafters, expert at boosting drama with dynamics and unexpected sounds. But what sets their music apart is feeling: the mood of wistful romance that hovers over the songs, the idea that love is an insoluble mystery.