Beach House records always start with a promise to take you on a trip. Then it only takes a few bars for the evocative alto voice of Nico-esque Victoria Legrand to lull you to such an extent that you don’t know whether you’re awake or sleepwalking – let alone what it is subtle difference would be.
? Buy ONCE TWICE MELODY at Amazon.de
The extremely ambivalent mood of euphancholy (to steal this wonderfully apt neologism of euphoria and melancholy from Benedict Wells’ novel “Hard Land”) has been delivered by Beach House for a decade and a half, but this time with a special delivery rhythm: Four monthly published “chapters “, each with four to five tracks, together make up the double LP ONCE TWICE MELODY, the eighth album by the shoegaze duo from Baltimore, which is self-produced for the first time and is without a doubt one of the best living bands in the world.
Just don’t be allergic to lilacs, lilies, anemones in the lyrics
The eponymous opener begins with synth flickering, then semi-serious drones – and an unusually fast beach house beat and surprisingly dirty guitar riff by Alex Scally. Acoustic strings (also a Beach House premiere) give the whole thing a noble and opulent touch. Finally, on “Pink Funeral” there is a massive organ ostinato, as we love it with Beach House.
The album has far less catchy tune potential than the master record TEEN DREAM (2010), but develops an enormous psychedelic impact with its massive sound. Just don’t be allergic to lilacs, lilies, anemones in the lyrics; or lights, angels and haloes – or references to hardcore depression. “Only You Know” transforms dream pop into dream rock with disturbingly beautiful dissonances.
“Finale” (although not the final track) is as much life advice as Beach House has arguably never had before. In case you’ve forgotten what you have a heart for, Victoria Legrand recommends in the lyrics: red sunglasses, lollipop, a dress with polka dots on it and lots of confetti on the floor. Yes, what more could you ask for? In any case, the music of Beach House is as warm as beach sand, which at night lets out some of the midday warmth.
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