Softcult - When A Flower Doesn’t Grow 

Softcult’s approach to mixing anthemic indie pop and expansive shoegaze is what makes some of this debut from the Canadian sibling duo impress most. ‘Intro’ opens with a mix of melancholy and whimsy, before ‘Pill To Swallow’ propels ‘When A Flower Doesn’t Grow’ into the ethereal, as honey-glazed vocals envelop its reverb-drenched wall of noise.

The pair’s heavier side is showcased on the caustic ‘Hurt Me’ and the ‘90s grunge callback of ‘Queens of Nothing’, while ‘Naive’ sees them hint at genre forebears Slowdive and Ride. It’s the poignant ‘He Said She Said’ that stands out most, though, as Softcult amplify the voices of sexual assault survivors while drawing sonically from the softer side of Wolf Alice’s discography.

While at points lingering a little too long, ‘When A Flower Doesn’t Grow’ is a solid outing overall, able to pack a striking punch alongside its messages of genuine substance.