Album Review: Cults Show You How To Do A Cover Song In “The Motels”

From “Anticipating” to “Dressing Up,” Cults turns The Motels legendary, self-titled LP into an album made for them, which makes sense. We all have the “particular record” that we swear an artist made especially for us. For some reason, our hearts and our imagination speak so vividly to their music. For Cults, The Motels LP inspired such a connection, which infuses a loving dynamism into their arrangements and vocals.

Cults blend together psychedelia and pop to sound like Debbie Reynolds going to Woodstock. They breathe a sense of classic romanticism into the surreal, hippie love of the 60’s/ 70’s psycho-tropic inspired eras. Hence, sensuality and naivety dance at “Atomic Cafe,” get their “Kix,” and swear “Love Don’t Help.” The entire album is draped in a Reefer Madness sultriness; combining the youthful zest of romance with the subtle redefinitions it inspire within us. Love makes you vulnerable, which can either make you weak or wild. Cults’ sound prefers to ignite the latter. 

Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin are the perfect pair, particularly to elaborate the magic of this classic, nearly 40 year old  record. Perhaps, it is because it is set as a classic, Cults are allowed to ignite the idea of “freshness” into The Motels’ retro swag. Oblivion’s instrumentals spark of goth sensibilities swirled into ice creamed synths, which makes you feel delighted and slightly dark. Then, you add on Madeline Follin’s voice, and you are utterly charmed. From “Porn Reggae” to “Closets And Bullets,” Follin uses the inherent innocence and sweetness of her voice to highlight that The Motels’ verses are all about opening up to new worlds and new likes.

Growing up is not just about learning of the world as much as learning from yourself. Hence, transitioning from child to adulthood is not about age as much as discovering your own voice amidst the “sayings” others gave you. Thus, you have to be smart when covering someone else’s work, because comparison will be abound, which is why Cults aimed for The Motels’ style and messages. Cults’ The Motels is a cool, purple record that amplifies discovering yourself through music.  For More Information On Cults And To Buy The Motels in vinyl on August 17 Click Here.