Static

Cults - Static
Critic Score
Based on 25 reviews
2013 Ratings: #668 / 1115
User Score
Based on 204 ratings
2013 Rank: #382
Liked by 19 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

80
AllMusic

In fact, the album's sound is so alluring that it sometimes threatens to overwhelm the delicate vocals and melodies. Still, Static is a vivid, poignant tour of heartbreak that's much more enjoyable than that description suggests.

78
Paste

The layers at times get a little too thick, enough to hide some of Follin’s words. But as packed as the songs get with incident and sound, the gooey goodness of Cults’ candy pop wins out every time.

75
Under the Radar

It's a peanut butter and chocolate kind of thing here: if things get too sweet, just dive into the layers of guitars and keyboard to take the edge off.

70
Consequence of Sound

Cults find themselves at a transition point on album two, as they move from their previous jangly sounds into something bigger. On Static, they arrive at a place where they’re able to sustain new layers of complexity across their songs. 

70
SPIN

This record isn't erudite; it's about as meat-and-potatoes as indie rock gets these days, with songs mostly clocking in at under four minutes. Unlike the work of too many of their peers these days (looking at you, Arcade Fire), Static is not a high-minded critique of These Modern Times.

70
musicOMH

Static isn’t a perfect album, but it contains enough promising signs of evolution to predict a long career for Cults

68
Pitchfork

Cults' sophomore album sidesteps presumptions about a rising, major-label band and admirably finds contentment not in what they could be, but what they are right now. And that's moodier, louder, more atmospheric.

65
The Line of Best Fit

On Static, the band uses noisier guitars and more complicated arrangements to push at the edges of their sound. The album’s darker tone is an interesting shift but it also comes at the expense of some of Cults’ wilder moments.

60
Sputnikmusic

The best parts of the record are when Oblivion’s melancholy production and overwhelming array of effects complement Follin’s venom, but more often than not the result is a gloomy, obscured one, difficult to parse and harder to slog through on repeat. 

60
DIY

'Static' is the sound of a band realising who they are and there’s a glow and intelligence that run throughout the songs that lifts it way above the twee-pop description that’s been lumped with.

60
No Ripcord

Static is remarkably self-assured and meticulously produced, but such traits cannot disguise its throwback trappings.

58
Pretty Much Amazing

The problem comes down to this: Static lacks variety. It’s just a short-fused, gloomy rehash, and what little has been changed isn’t really an improvement.

SnobWagon
59

This is by far the most standard and mediocre indie pop records I have ever heard, every song sounds almost identical and reels itself over with being too pretentious as it seems to copy its indie pop influences. It drags on and seems to just come across as forgettable when it comes to any fundamental strive or originality. Even with their contributions in the unusual genre that is Twee Pop, Cults sophomore effort does not provide anything too special or provides any glimpse of giving the duo a ... read more

Edgeworth
80

Underrated album if you ask me, Static was such an alluring and catchy experience.
Even the vocals was so tact throughout this album, with great bass-line chemistry (Especially We've Got It and Always Forever).
If I have to pick a certain track that stood out though and my clear favourite in this album is I Can Hardly Make You Mine; that was a belter to listen (Thank 2013 movie Carrie for introducing me to this song).

Host
80

It’s like the self titled, but they put more thought into the structure and flow. Static brings in some very sweet pop, with a cleaner, more coherent sound.

thegamingfoo
75

It was good and recommended to me by a close friend. The best song on here is Ichmym or Always forever the worst is Keep your head up.

HerChimaera
97

An album full of creepily sappy lovesick bangers.

GREAT - I KNOW, I CAN HARDLY MAKE YOU MINE, ALWAYS FOREVER, WERE BEFORE, SO FAR, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, TV DREAM, SHINE A LIGHT, NO HOPE
GOOD - HIGH ROAD, WE'VE GOT IT
MID - N/A
BAD - N/A

9/10

adelao
92

My faves: *___*
I Can Hardly Make You Mine, Always Forever,
High Road, Were Before, So Far,
We've Got It, No Hope,
Barry, Hurting

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Track List

1I Know
1:42
81
2I Can Hardly Make You Mine
3:31
92
3Always Forever
3:44
95
4High Road
4:29
84
5Were Before
3:01
90
6So Far
3:29
90
7Keep Your Head Up
3:38
80
8TV Dream
1:03
83
9We've Got It
3:26
82
10Shine a Light
3:14
93
11No Hope
3:44
87
Total Length: 35 minutes

Year End Lists

#44/Under the Radar
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Added on: July 25, 2013