Review Summary: I'm tired of these expectations...
Throughout the current -gaze craze trend, in which music seems to have rediscovered the utility of reverb, early adopters Softcult had managed to stand out in the minds of listeners by both merely existing as twin sisters operating within the riot grrl culture as well as producing some warmly deep grunge rock fit for post 2020’s consumption. Since 2021, their career had been marked by a series of EPs highlighting a penchant for huge guitar-driven melodies and choruses interspersed with lead singer Mercedes Arn Horn’s airy delivery which complimented the band’s dreamy mystique wonderfully. With
When A Flower Doesn't Grow, Softcult employ a few new ideas into their sound as well as shine the brightest light yet on their pervading messages as a band, a welcome decision for fans of the band but not one that will tip those on the fence in their direction.
And make no mistake, even though the stylistic shifts on
When A Flower Doesn't Grow never fully coalesce, they were still sorely needed. For a band eerily close to their debut release, fans were already talking about being partial to Softcult’s “early work,” referencing songs that were released a scant 4-5 years ago. This discourse isn’t a function of their early work being different, but of what is essentially listener fatigue. For a band as busy and prolific as Softcult, and despite the beauty of their discography, it was getting difficult to suss out differences in the music apart from individual “moments” within certain songs -- moments that were getting less memorable as time went by.
This is why Softcult’s debut album
When A Flower Doesn't Grow is one of latent potential rather than immediate payoff. After the throwaway intro, the album starts off very strong with “Pill To Swallow” showcasing an early Silversun Pickups energy with its lively riffage and bright punchy drumming as well as album highlight “16/25”. This song in particular is a great example of the band’s experimentation working. Serving as one of the faster songs in Softcult’s career, the furious drumming takes a rare role as the driving force behind the song with nary a huge chord in sight. It’s a great decision that’s only lifted by the song’s blasting of online predators:
She doesn’t know how to love you, she doesn’t know how to drive. She doesn’t know how to touch you; she’s 16, you’re 25.
Unfortunately, after this point, most of
When A Flower Doesn't Grow progresses and sounds just like Softcult has been sounding. Swirling grunge riffs drowning in warbled resonance with Arn Horn’s delicate vocals either residing in a low spoken tone or soaring high up over the mix, sustained by a satisfying low end that anchors many of the tracks and keeps them from floating away into wispy nothingness. The lyricism is more pointed this go around, both working in the case of the aforementioned “16/25” while falling completely flat on “Tired.” The latter song being the most glaring example of Softcult’s experimenting failing, resulting in a token punk riot grrl track sponsored by Disney.
When A Flower Doesn't Grow has the bones of a special piece of work for Softcult contained within. It’s not difficult to hear that the ideas here, while largely unsuccessful on this release, can easily be kneaded into their recipes to create something truly unique someday. It’s easy to forget that Softcult are only 5 years removed from their debut EP using a formula that has brought them no small degree of acclaim. However, 5 releases into their career, the mere fact that they are playing around with some ideas bodes well for the group’s future. For now, Softcult fans enjoy. Other shoegaze fans, wait just a bit longer.
