After a four-year hiatus, Joff and the Cults have resurfaced from the shadows, where they’ve been brewing their latest single “Needle” — a tantalising appetiser of their upcoming six-track EP, and boy have they come dressed for dinner.
The band, having recently traded the windy shores of Gqeberha for the misty mountains of Cape Town, has been stirring in the Mother City’s iconic sonic haunts, namely District and The House of Machines, as well as hosted an intimate unplugged show at Luvbuzz Studios – a first for the band.
The new video serves up a visual feast of peculiar moments: The trio (Joff on VOX and electric guitar, James Collins on bass, and Tom Collins on drums) don their Sunday best; buttoned-up shirts, blazers and shoes so well polished you’d see your sins in them. But don’t be fooled by the formal attire; this video is anything but strait-laced.
Adding an experimental twist to their visual approach, the band opted to film “Needle” in Instagram reel format, making the medium a subtle part of the single’s message.
Shot in moody black and white, “Needle” is a visual fever dream that dances on the edge of coherence. Band members perform cryptic hand gestures like silent incantations, while animated paint splotches splash across the screen with eerie autonomy. Amid the enigmatic atmosphere, bassist James Collins intermittently breaks into unexpected jigs, adding flashes of playful energy to the otherwise shadowy proceedings.
The video’s pinnacle emerges in a hushed interlude, with Joff embracing his guitar in a moment of introspective reverie. Yet, true to the band’s enigmatic style, even this scene isn’t free from watchful eyes. Animated sketches blink from the surrounding walls, as silent onlookers of this strange, beautiful performance, walking the tightrope between gritty and dreamlike.
With “Needle,” Joff and the Cults have crafted a comeback that’s more of a sly sidle than a grand entrance. It’s a gentle reminder of their unique brand of musical storytelling, leaving us curious about what their forthcoming EP will bring.
