The Vintage Art of Beach House's 'Once Twice Melody'
If you need any more convincing, Beach House's eighth album, Once Twice Melody, truly is as good as everyone says. In place of an actual review, here is a celebration of the new music of Beach House, complete with a gallery of stills from the animated artwork for each song!
"Once Twice Melody"
With an iconic arrangement of synths and drum machines, the title track opens the album and bristles with alluring, sweeping strings reminiscent of the 1960s.
"Superstar"
This tale of lost love uses its imagery to describe someone’s presence as shining eternally in their mind, all while the music builds slowly and gently from start to finish.
"Pink Funeral"
Subtle hints from the lyrics, involving pink flowers for a woman’s death, fairy tales, white lace veils, broken hearts, and finally swans on a starry lake, all point to the tragic story of Swan Lake. Though the song has a suitable majesty for its subject, it also has a bit of menace to it, à la the film Black Swan.
"Through Me"
Lyrically beautiful despite the simplicity, this dynamic track ebbs and flows while singer Victoria Legrand soars through each expressive line, layering new meanings and symbols with every verse.
"Runaway"
Stripping the sound down again to a simple arrangement with constant drum machine propulsion, “Runaway” subsequently shifts into an achingly slow construction of echoing effects and repeating melodies for a hypnotic magnetism.
"ESP"
A classic spaced-out Beach House track that crawls along with sultry melodies and a shimmering guitar line.
"New Romance"
Like the opening run, “New Romance” is another single-worthy addition to the first half of Once Twice Melody, phasing effects, vocal lines, and drum beats in and out of focus in a catchy, entirely Beach House way.
"Over and Over"
“Over and Over” showcases Beach House's bittersweetness in its most epic form. Stretched past the seven-minute mark, the band reached new heights of creative mastery on this track.
"Sunset"
Led by plaintive acoustic guitar strumming throughout, “Sunset” has a kind of sing-along quality to it with the lilting flow of its lyrics and melody.
"Only You Know"
“Only You Know,' the typical Beach House single track of the second half, has a propulsive momentum thanks to the forceful drumming and piercing instrumental moments that stick out amid the drifting vocal lines.
"Another Go Around"
This track opens with a hymnal church organ, but the stately hypnotic qualities soon give way to a striking melody and shimmering instrumental section part of the way through.
"Masquerade"
This song is one of the most modern pop-oriented tracks of Once Twice Melody, with brooding sensuality and an uplifting chorus.
"Illusion of Forever"
An exciting rhythmic beat and a couple of soaring melodies highlight deep stabs of synth and some of the most evocative and mysterious lyrics on the album.
"Finale"
The retro-inspired opening brings the listener back again to the early days of Beach House, as this track is most reminiscent of the band’s influences.
"The Bells"
Like 'Sunset,' 'The Bells' is another guitar-led track that makes exceptional use of its fusion of the Beach House formula with an almost folk-inspired sound.
“Hurts to Love”
Coming back to the occasional retro flourish of the record, this is another track straight out of the 90s that shows Beach House wearing their influences on their sleeve proudly.
“Many Nights”
Musically and lyrically drawing you in with warmth amid mounting tension, Legrand’s obliqueness only heightens the song’s magnetic pull.
"Modern Love Stories"
'Modern Love Stories,' though a somewhat haunting track, changes direction for a majestically summative conclusion. Beach House demonstrates their music's beautiful and dark qualities in this one song.
Rating: 9/10
★★★★★★★★★☆
The entirety of Once Twice Melody is now streaming on all listening platforms, including Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify.
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