Cults

Cults is an American indie pop duo formed in 2010 in New York City. Consisting of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion, the band is recognized for a signature sound that blends 1960s girl-group harmonies with dream pop, gauzy electronics, and experimental textures. While their music often features bright, twinkling melodies, it is frequently balanced by darker lyrical themes and a sophisticated production style.

The project began when Follin and Oblivion, both natives of San Francisco, were attending college in New York. Oblivion was studying documentary film at NYU while Follin was a student at the New School. The pair began writing and recording songs in Oblivion’s apartment using a MIDI keyboard and a laptop. In 2010, they released their self-titled debut EP on Forest Family Records. The track "Go Outside" quickly became a viral sensation, earning significant praise from music outlets like Pitchfork and NME and establishing the duo as a prominent fixture in the indie pop scene.