SOFTCULT: When A Flower Doesn’t Grow
Canadian sibling duo SOFTCULT’s debut album ‘When A Flower Doesn’t Grow’ is exactly what we’ve been waiting for after a run of strong singles and EPs throughout the 2020s. It captures their shoegaze sound while branching into songs with ’90s alt-rock elements, and each track inspires listeners to find the strength and courage to overcome trauma and move toward a happier place. These songs are perfect for anyone seeking empowerment and reassurance in their struggles, built for audiences to sing along and release their pain.
The opener, ‘Pill To Swallow’, is a track for those who feel burnt out or disillusioned by the world. It carries their signature swirling sound and encourages listeners not to let oppression define their pain, but instead to process these feelings and learn to overcome them with confidence — a message echoed throughout the album.
‘16/25’ is one of the strongest songs on the album, with Mercedes Arn-Horn (Vocals/Guitar) loudly condemning men who prey on teenage girls: “She doesn’t know how to drive / she’s 16, you’re 25”. The following track, ‘She Said, He Said’, carries a similar energy and serves as a horrifying reminder of the realities of sexual assault and the ways predators manipulate their victims, insisting, “I’m such a nice guy”. Mercedes uses this song to give voice to survivors, highlighting how these situations often become one person’s word against another’s, leaving the victim feeling small — yet she ultimately seeks to empower those who have experienced this. She calls on listeners to speak out so that such incidents never happen again.
‘Hurt Me’ features quiet verses that transition into a loud, angry chorus, inviting listeners to shout along to the repeated lyric, “You can’t hurt me”. It illustrates how, during abuse, someone may bottle up their pain around others but release it when alone — exactly the emotional release Mercedes encourages through this song.
‘I’m Tired’ carries a similarly intense energy as the Ann Horn sisters explore a punkier sound and fully embrace their riot grrrl attitude. Through the repetition of “I’m tired”, Mercedes expresses anger toward the sexism, misogyny and shame she has experienced — feelings that, sadly, many listeners can relate to.
The closer and title track, ‘When A Flower Doesn’t Grow’, delivers the album’s central message: when you are going through a difficult time, healing may require changing your environment. As Mercedes says, “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower”.
Overall, the album highlights SOFTCULT’s musical growth while encouraging listeners to support one another and feel empowered to be themselves wherever they are. The Ann Horn sisters make their identity and values unmistakably clear, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this remarkable band.