Cults

Cults is an American indie pop duo formed in 2010 in Manhattan, New York, made up of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion. The group is active from 2010 to the present and is associated with indie pop and twee pop.

Background and formation

Follin and Oblivion are both native San Franciscans, but they form the group while studying in New York City. Oblivion studies documentary film at NYU, while Follin studies at the New School. At the time, they are a couple and write and record early songs in Oblivion’s apartment using a computer and a cheap MIDI keyboard.

Early releases

Before the end of their first year, they release their self-titled debut EP on Forest Family Records. After the song “Go Outside” gains attention, they re-record much of the EP’s material for their self-titled debut album, Cults.

Style and sound

Their music is marked by influences from early 1960s Brill Building pop and electronic beats. The duo’s work sits within indie pop, with the verified genre tag also identifying them as twee pop.

Later work

In October 2013, Cults release their second album, Static, recorded with Stoneback after Follin and Oblivion have broken up. The album receives strong reviews for its emotive songwriting and reaches number 114 on the Billboard Top 200. After the 2014 single “Being It,” the group takes some time off.

Related activity

In 2016, Follin forms the group Follin with her brother Richie and releases the single “Roxy” in February of that year.