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SOFTCULT Unveil Arresting New Single ‘Perfect Blue’

Mirroring the song’s heightened sense of anxiety with aptly dysphoric visuals, this track explores the complex themes of loss of identity and abandonment of self.

Softcult

Photo: Judith Priest

Canadian twin-sibling indie rockers Softcult, comprised of Mercedes Arn-Horn and Phoenix Arn-Horn, continue to stun with their unapologetic, non-conformist attitudes which profoundly translate into their impactful discography. Consistently and passionately expressing the necessity of feminism, social activism, self-empowerment, gender neutrality and artistic liberation both in their music, in real time and on social media, Softcult are dedicated to creating powerful social commentaries in order to instigate change.

After releasing the resonant anthem BWBB back in October, Softcult return with their heartfelt new single Perfect Blue. Illustrating Mercedes and Phoenix’s collective flair for compelling songwriting, this track is even more personal than their previous offerings, due to the inspiration behind the song. In the track’s emotive chorus, Softcult sing the introspective lyrics “looking back at a face, barely recognise you, but the eyes are a shade of the same perfect blue.”

Mercedes explains the meaning behind the single:

We wrote ‘Perfect Blue’ about a time in our lives when we felt like nothing was in our control. In our previous project, we were signed to a label that butted heads with us creatively and wasn’t allowing us to express ourselves authentically. They weren’t interested in the music we were creating at the time, so we became unhealthily obsessed with trying to please them to release anything at all.

Phoenix adds:

It felt as though we were putting on an act to survive. We didn’t feel like our art was representing us. There was a lot we wanted to say, but it was being stifled. We felt like we’d lost our integrity. The song is a reminder to empower yourself by standing up for what you believe in, or risk losing yourself altogether.

Mercedes, who produces and directs every Softcult music video, shares:

I wanted the viewer to feel like they are entering the mind of someone who is watching themselves transform, powerless to stop their metamorphosis. I clearly remember times in my life when I felt pressure to become a version of myself that others wanted me to be, but that version wasn’t authentic to who I was. I felt like I was losing my integrity and my sense of self. I’d look at myself in the mirror and be disgusted at what I saw, unattached to who I had become. There’s a vibe of health anxiety, dysphoria, dissociation, a little horror element in there that I wanted to capture with the visuals. The skin peeling scenes are meant to elicit those feelings, like a snake shedding its skin.

Beyond eager to perform their hard-hitting songs live, particularly after the release of their forthcoming EP Year Of The Snake, Softcult have announced a UK Tour in 2022 and tickets are on sale now!

February 2022

17 – Bristol, Crofters

18 – Birmingham, The Victoria

19 – Southampton, Heartbreakers

20 – Leeds, The Key Club

22 – Glasgow, The Garage (Attic Bar)

23 – Manchester, The Deaf Institute

24 – London, Camden Assembly