Cults

In 2010, Cults managed an impossible feat: While its track “Go Outside” conquered the Internet, the musicians behind it remained entirely anonymous. That mystique didn’t last long, as the duo of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion were eventually outed as the creators of that summery glass of glockenspiel, organ whirls, and sing-along-worthy verses. Dates at CMJ and Fun Fun Fun Fest followed, and the duo’s Motown- and girl-group-indebted sound bent the ears of Columbia Records, who put out the band’s entirely consistent, if somewhat underwhelming, self-titled debut in 2011. Tracks like “You Know What I Mean” and “Oh My God” are pleasant enough to have earned the band a coveted “Best New Music” nod from Pitchfork, but not solid enough to merit any sort of long-term adoration. Expect the judicious bursts of noise on “You Know” to take a more aggro form live, as the duo tours with a five-piece backing band.

Updated 04/11/2012