“Beach House” originated in Baltimore, Maryland, with their 2006 self-titled debut, “Beach House.” The duo, consisting of Alex Scally and vocalist Victoria Legrand, aren’t as big in the music industry as the likes of Taylor Swift and Frank Ocean, but they have seen a considerable rise in mainstream popularity after their song “Space Song” went viral on TikTok, with almost 100,000 videos with the sound..
However, Beach House’s newfound popularity does not erase their critical acclaim. Their third album, “Teen Dream,” is heralded as one of the best dream-pop albums of all time, according to sources such as Pitchfork. Their talents have garnered attention from big names in the industry, with their songs being sampled by Drake, The Weeknd and even Kendrick Lamar in his platinum hit “Money Trees”.
The duo’s career has spanned eight full-length albums and multiple world tours. Today, they are seen as one of the best indie acts in the industry. Their eighth full-length album “Once Twice Melody” further solidifies their genius amongst the greatest in the sky. Beach House has culminated their work into a supernova; all we can do is marvel at its beauty.
“Once Twice Melody” is a double album, running at around 84 minutes. The album is split into four chapters that were released gradually over four months. The chapters contain their own narratives, all varying musically and thematically, yet all melting together to form one experience.
The songs take you through a journey where the line between dream and reality has been blurred. The title track, “Once Twice Melody,” holds no punches as it immerses you into a higher plane of existence. Salient guitar chords, swanky vocals and lavish strings work together to provide an experience that you don’t just listen to, but melt into. Once you manage to catch your breath, you are whisked into the sprightly shoegaze of “Superstar,” stranded within the enthralling and blurry backdrop vocals.
The story slowly begins to unravel into a spiral of grief and elation in the glorious oxymoron of “Pink Funeral.” It is revealed that the narrator’s soulmate has passed on, but she attempts to relive their happy memories, finding herself in a bitter cycle. The narrator is attempting to escape her memories and move on with her life, but as the constant synth loop of “Over and Over” suggests, she is trapped within them, unable to gauge the validity of her own senses.
“Runaway” features a distortion of Legrand’s vocals, exploring the tragedies we endure to chase what we have lost. The illustrious, eerie and provocative beat of “Masquerade” acts as a mirror to the narrator’s self-image as she comes to terms with what she is forcing herself to become. The final track, “Modern Love Stories”, is a rumination through the existence of being, of lust and of unveiling beauty in the darkness.
Not all of the eighteen tracks are completely innovations to their typical sound, but the fact that they are still able to consistently push the envelope over fifteen years into their career is extraordinary. “Once Twice Melody” is not just another gemstone in Beach House’s discography, it is a triumph, a future classic in the realm of ethereal pop. Don’t just listen to this album, dissolve within its grasp and allow the universe to collect what’s left of you.
Album Highlights: “Once Twice Melody,” “Superstar,” “Through Me,” “Runaway, ESP,” “Masquerade,” “Illusion of Forever,” “The Bells,” “Modern Love Stories”.
