Review: Softcult - When a Flower Doesn't Grow
- Matthew McLister
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
An assured shoegaze record that demands repeated listens - one that will deservedly rank amongst 2026’s finest debut releases.
It certainly feels like Shoegaze is all the rage again. The genre’s noisy, melodic blend of melancholia and chaos continues to offer a rich hunting ground for today’s artists over three decades since Ride, Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine enjoyed the scene's cultural peak.
Among the latest making a serious impression are Softcult: the project of Canadian twin siblings Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn. On When a Flower Doesn't Grow they deliver an exhilarating debut that fuses heavy shoegaze, '90s grunge grit and atmospheric dream pop. Better still, it’s all tied together by an uncompromising riot grrrl ethos.
The journey to this point is one of second chances. The twins previously spent over a decade as half of pop punk fourpiece Courage My Love before stepping away after finding life on a major label too creatively stifling. Formed in 2020, Softcult offered them a clean slate. A fresh opportunity they grab with both hands on this brilliant record.
These 11 tracks are warm and explosive, confident and ferocious. Describing their sound as "riotgaze", the duo's debut confronts hard societal truths head on, tackling topics such as gender stereotypes, abuse and oppression.
'16/25' is a soaring early highlight - Mercedes' vocals ethereal-like as she calls out men who victimise underage girls. ‘She Said, He Said' is similarly ominous in topic, yet more sarcastic in tone - the stodgy bassline, hooky riff and catchy chorus offer a deceptive playfulness against a toxic tale of "nice guy" coercion and sexual abuse. Later, they bring the tempo down on heavenly shoegaze ballad 'Queen of Nothing' which investigates unrealistic expectations society places on women.
Elsewhere, beautiful sonics take centre stage over lyrical theme. The hazy ‘Pill to Swallow’ is a dream pop delight and a rallying call against hopelessness. The Slowdive-esque ‘Naive’ then leaves a devastating impression, stomping along with fury and reflection, while ‘Not Sorry’ delivers a late euphoric high point to raise the hairs once more.
When A Flower Doesn’t Grow packs a punch from start to finish. An assured shoegaze record that demands repeated listens - one that will deservedly rank amongst 2026’s finest debut releases.
9/10
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