Cults

The cover for the digital version of Cults' Static cleverly references their 2011 self-titled debut. It's a move that could be seen as a fitting metaphor for their musical development, as the NYC duo have managed to retain the indie-/girl-group/pop motif wholesale. For a young group to sit back and focus on sharpening their craft isn't necessarily a negative thing, especially when a band burst with as much charisma and panache as Cults. Delivering 11 more saccharine tracks that snugly sit within three-minute shells, vocalist Madeline Follin ditches her coy delivery, coming off punchier and more rhythmic on "I Can Hardly Make You Mine" and "We've Got It." However, it's Brian Oblivion's musical flourishes that allows Static to promptly hold its own, as the multi-instrumentalist utilizes guitar feedback and layered keyboards in the most controlled and inauspicious manner. So far, Cults have relied on that brand of fresh, unbridled energy that fuels new groups like them, making Static a fine example of an album running perfectly off of kinetics.