See You In The Dark

## Singles

1. One Of A Million
Released: September 23, 2022
2. Drain
Released: November 2, 2022
3. Someone2Me
Released: December 14, 2022
4. Dress
Released: January 17, 2023
5. Love Song
Released: February 24, 2023

***See You In The Dark*** is Softcult's third EP. It was released in March 24, 2023.

## Background and recording

***See You in the Dark*** was recorded in 2022 at Softcult's home studio in Kitchener, Ontario, in between their tours that year. It was produced and engineered by Phoenix Arn-Horn, and was mixed by Chris Perry, who also manages the duo. The EP's material was written around the same time as their second EP, ***Year of the Snake***, but the Arn-Horn siblings ultimately opted to leave them off of the release. "We don’t like waiting too long in between releases to put something out, so I think there was a little pressure to just keep writing while we still felt inspired and not take a break", Phoenix has said; "I feel like after putting out our first two EPs, we were ready to try some new things and really push ourselves to go out of the box."

## Composition and Lyrics

***See You in the Dark*** has been described as grunge, shoegaze , pop, dream-pop  and riot grrrl. Although featuring some of Softcult's darkest lyrical themes yet, ***See You in the Dark*** is less musically aggressive than their previous works.

The songs lyrics talk about various topics such as frustration towards the climate crisis; sexual assault, consent and trauma; the rise of internet incels; self-sabotage; personal insecurities and and being in love as anxious person.

## Title and Artwork

The EP's title was inspired by a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche from his 1886 book *Beyond Good and Evil*. Mercedes Arn-Horn has said: “It is an analogy for the things we’re afraid to face. It represents confronting our innermost fears, usually in those vulnerable moments lying awake at night when our minds are racing. It’s sort of an acknowledgement of our darkness, and the darkness of others, like “hey, I see you”.

The cover art shows a woman's eye in black and white and some paint splatters. The multi-eye cut-out aesthetic is a staple of the See You In The dark era, as shown in various issues of SCripture.

## Reception

*See You in the Dark* received generally positive reviews from critics. *Exclaim!*'s Owen Morawitz praised Mercedes' vocal performances on the EP, as well its production and thematic "deft touch of self-assurance". Jake Richardson of *Kerrang!* described the EP "very well put together", and praised its "gorgeous" vocal melodies. Writing for *DIY*, Ben Tipple praised the "gentle ebb and flow" of the EP's "dark inevitability", although he felt that its "powerful words" were sometimes lost underneath its "comparably calm soundscapes". *FLOOD Magazine*'s Juan Gutierrez found *See You in the Dark* to be "more harmonious, reflective, and lyrically mature" than Softcult's previous efforts, and hailed the EP as "subversive art at its finest".

 Source
 DIY

## Tracklist

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6

## Personnel

* Mercedes Arn-Horn - Vocals, guitar, bass
* Phoenix Arn-Horn - Vocals, drums, production, engineering
* Chris Perry - Mixing
* All songs written by Mercedes Arn-Horn and Phoenix Arn-Horn
* All songs produced by Phoenix Arn-Horn

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Artist Interview: Softcult | Pop Dose Magazine
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 EP REVIEW: Softcult – ‘see you in the dark’ | The Soundboard.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 EP review: Softcult – See You In The Dark | Kerrang!
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 SOFTCULT - SEE YOU IN THE DARK | DIY
5. ↑ On *See You In The Dark*, Softcult are inspiring radical change from within | Alternative Press
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Softcult’s latest dream-pop track proves they’re not just “One of a Million” | The line of best fit
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Softcult’s See You In The Dark brings empowering Riot Grrrl to a modern audience | Louder sound
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Softcult: “In order for the world to change, there has to be some change within yourself” | Kerrang!
9. ↑ Softcult Share New Single "Dress" | Stereogum
10. ↑ Softcult have released a dreamy new single, Love Song | Kerrang!
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Softcult Face the Abyss on 'see you in the dark' | Exclaim!
12. ↑ Softcult, "See You In The Dark" | FLOOD