CD of The Week

It’s something of a miracle that New York duo Cults went from Bandcamp upstarts to major label signees in less than a year with just three songs to their name. That they’ve taken the sound and spirit of those three songs and spun them into an entire album of sun-kissed sonic gold is perhaps even more miraculous. Proof that Brian O’Blivion and Madeline Follin’s instant classic “Go Outside” was no fluke. While nothing here ever quite matches that single’s bright heights (though previous Adult Swim single “Oh My God” comes close), each remaining song finds Cults continuing to successfully explore, subvert, and occasionally surpass their ‘60s girl-group influences. Follin’s youthful vocals have the distinction of being childlike without being childish. They convey exuberance even when the band’s sound and songwriting take a turn towards the dark, as they do on other highlights like “Abducted” and “Never Heal Myself.” That contrast adds a pleasant tension to the sweetness. O’Blivion, meanwhile, proves an able counterpart, adding his own vocals to the mix for the first time on the aforementioned “Abducted” and penultimate duet “Bumper.” All the while, the pair constantly finds a way to add an extra sonic touch or flourish to elevate the album beyond mere Phil Spector nostalgia. It’s rare for a band to make good so quickly on the promise of one great song. With their debut, Cults have not only done that, but they’ve also shown promise for far more future greatness.