“Static” more than a break-up album

New York based indie-pop duo Cults’ sophomore album, “Static,” has invaded my brain, and I’ve had it on a steady loop since its official release, Oct. 15.

Even when I’m not listening, I can still hear the melodious melancholy of vocalists Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion ghosting across my eardrums.

The album’s 11 songs are a wonderful collage of dream pop and darkwave, and the entire track list centers on love, loneliness and the complications of ending a relationship.

Not surprising: a press bio for the album described “Static” as a “breakup album,” and upon doing further research, I found out that Oblivion and Follin had been in a relationship prior to starting the project in 2010, but broke up in the process.   Oblivion further explained the title of the album in the bio.

“There’s a feeling our generation has. The feeling there’s always something better around the corner, that everyone is born to be a star. The feeling that life is waiting for you, and yet it’s not happening. All of that is static.” Oblivion said.

I think the release of “Static” is strangely coincidental, because I look around at my friends, and see that autumn is a time for couples to part ways. So it goes.

And while break up songs are not my bag, (they mostly come off as too sappy to suit my palate) the lyrics aren’t terribly significant for me anyhow. Besides, vocals are admittedly opaque and hard to understand, a quaint complimentary to the album’s moniker.

What I find most significant about this album is the texture instrumentally.  It fits nicely into the sonic landscape of my record collection, and fills a niche between my two favorite indie bands: Tame Impala and Caribou.

Though there are few considerations that might convince you to give Static a spin, at the very least, you can check out Cults’… *ugh* VEVO channel on YouTube, (I hate even referencing the soulless corporatism that is VEVO.)  Watch the video for “High Road.” Take note of the lush cinematography, because Follin and Oblivion were film school students prior to their foray into pop music.  It’s beautiful. It’s art. It’s amazing.

If you go to see the new Carrie remake in theaters, you’ll get a chance to hear a Cults single; the song “I Can Hardly Make You Mine” plays during the credits.

With that being said, I refuse to give this album the lauded hipster credentials it would normally rate. Instead, I’ll press my pretentious black-rimmed glasses to my brow and shout “sell outs!”

All in the day’s work for a critic.