{"id":101278,"date":"2026-01-27T16:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/?p=101278"},"modified":"2026-01-26T21:21:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T21:21:41","slug":"review-softcult-when-a-flower-doesnt-grow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/review-softcult-when-a-flower-doesnt-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Softcult – When A Flower Doesn\u2019t Grow"},"content":{"rendered":"

After building some acclaim with EPs and singles, there is considerable pressure on Canadian sisters Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn, better known as\u00a0Softcult<\/strong><\/a>. Throughout that time, they’ve pushed a message of inequality, oppression, and frankly, that some people are just shitty. Their debut album, ‘When A Flower Doesn\u2019t Grow,’\u00a0<\/em>looks to hone in on this narrative, yet it’s done with a deeply personal touch. For Mercedes, she considers the album as “a conceptual work about the stages of internal metamorphosis.”<\/em> Writing the record followed a period of dealing with abuse, sexism, misogyny, and shame while preaching empowerment.<\/p>\n

Musically,\u00a0Softcult<\/strong> have established a sound that blends luscious shoegaze soundscapes with biting grunge\/alt-rock. Throughout the Arn-Horn’s deliver melting melodies that breeze in effortlessly. On the opening\u00a0proper<\/em> track, ‘Pill To Swallow,’ <\/em>Phoenix’s drum work stiffens its loftiness with piercing execution. It’s countered by the early album highlight, ’16\/25′<\/em>. Snappy drums and a rumbling undertone add intensity to the narrative of a controlling, predatory male. Although Mercedes’ vocals float during the chorus of “She doesn\u2019t know how to love you,”<\/em> the sentiment tone is sharp.<\/p>\n

It’s complemented by\u00a0‘She Said, He Said’<\/em>. The bubbling bassline and Mercedes’ spoken word verses of a first date ending in sexual assault is compelling. The backing vocals of\u00a0“he said, she said”<\/em> have a hypnotic quality. Its driving conclusion surges with spiralling guitars and the repeated line of\u00a0“You have to see it to believe it!”<\/em><\/p>\n