REVIEW

Formed in 2020 by twin sisters Softcult—Phoenix Arn-Horne (vocals/drums) and Mercedes Arn-Horne (vocals/guitar)—this grunge/shoegaze duo quickly drew attention with a sound rooted in ’90s alternative music and lyrics that channel the confrontational spirit of Riot Grrrl. Even at the time of their debut EP Year Of The Rat, they were already generating significant buzz among listeners.

Less than a year later, Year Of The Snake, their second EP, sharpened that dark sensibility while pulling off the impressive feat of being relentlessly catchy. Opener “BWBB” comes out swinging, wielding heavy guitars as a pointed middle finger to a misogynistic society. By contrast, “House of Mirrors” showcases a level of pop finesse that rivals bands like Pale Waves.

The undeniable centerpiece, however, is “Perfect Blue”, arguably the most melancholic track in Softcult’s catalog. As the repeated line “Who are you?” suggests, the title is a direct homage to Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue. Its layered, blue-hued melancholy cuts with knife-like precision, equal parts beautiful and unsettling. With every track landing strong and a well-balanced mix of light and dark, softness and weight, this EP also serves as an ideal entry point for newcomers.

In 2023, Softcult finally made their long-awaited Japan debut. It was such a thrill that I caught them two nights in a row—at Aoyama Tsukimiru Kimi Omou and FEVER. I’ll close with this simple takeaway from the floor: the hype was real.