Softcult Announce Debut Album Alongside Gritty New Single "16/25" | THE NOISE


One thing is crystal clear: Ontario rock band Softcult fearlessly speaks their mind. Their latest single, "16/25," is a bold and unapologetic piece that takes on predatory older men who groom younger women. It also sheds light on the double standards and unrealistic expectations imposed by a patriarchal society.

The single kicks off with a captivating blend of radiant vocals, raw guitars, and a whirlwind of reverb. The siblings call out predatory men and the idealized image of young women they fetishize. "She's that girl/She's on fire/ Object of your heart's desire/ Every head in the room/ Turns to see her next to you," goes one verse about a kind of manic pixie dream girl men fantasize about.

Throughout the gritty and mesmerizing bedroom pop creation, Softcult shines a light on the sinister prowlers and their weaponizing gaze with the fearless chorus, "She doesn't know how to love you/ She doesn't know how to drive/ She doesn't know how to touch you/She's 16, you're 25."

On the single, Mercedes Arn-Horn shared, "The song points out the cognitive dissonance men perpetuate while trying to possess and control younger women."

"16/25" is the first single from Softcult's upcoming debut album When A Flower Doesn't Grow, slated for release next January. The self-produced, self-recorded, and fiercely independent collection of songs details the journey from trauma to rebirth and transformation. Its title comes from a quote by Dutch author Alexander Den Heijer, "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." For Mercedes, those words hit during one of the most pivotal moments of her life: ending a nine-year relationship, coming out as queer, and confronting the cycles of oppression she had been internalizing for years, despite being the one speaking out about empowerment.

Be sure to check out Softcult's latest single, "16/25," today!


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