Baltimore dreampop darlings Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally deliver a more tender continuation of their work with their third release, Teen Dream. If you’re not familiar with Beach House’s music, think Mazzy Star grown up, only with the drowsy vocal stylings of Nico amidst ebbing guitar tides, à la Cocteau Twins or Slowdive. Add a bit more smoke to that fragrant pipe, and you’ve almost got yourself some Beach House.
Teen Dream opens with “Zebra,” a track that opens with pounding drum and picks up the pace as the song progresses. Backed by undulating guitar and the optimistic pomp of percussion, Legrand’s vocals soar and lend to the majestic quality of the song, which seems reminiscent of the sound of Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest.
Though the production quality of Teen Dream is much cleaner than previous albums, it possesses a quiet intimacy unlike previous Beach House records. Reportedly recorded in an old church in New York, Dream is encapsulated by producer Chris Coady’s delicate veil of ambiance, which, when paired with Legrand’s smoky voice, creates a full and open space for each track.
The closing song is “Take Care,” which will no doubt be a favorite for many. The intro begins with simple organ as Legrand’s vocals begin to softly hum over the melody, “Stand beside it / We can't hide the way it makes us glow / It's no good unless it grows / Feel this burning love of mine.” Encapsulating the overall feel and sound of the album, “Take Care” is a psychedelic lullaby that brings Teen Dream to a heartfelt close.
But while the entire album captivates with Beach House’s dreamy, chamber-pop sound, “10 Mile Stereo” is where it really peaks, with a bittersweet synth line that is vaguely reminiscent of OMD’s “So In Love.” Though possessing a chorus splashed with sparkling hope, the song’s highlight lies in Legrand’s soaring “forever” lyric that glides over a growing percussion, resonating long after the song has ended. An epic surge of atmosphere, prefaced only by beaten drum, “10 Mile Stereo” is the crescendo of Teen Dream’s slow tide.
Dreampop duo Beach House seem to have put together yet another satisfying album with Teen Dream, with the main difference being that Dream may in fact be one of the more sincere albums by the two. Shimmering and rich melodies, accompanied by Legrand’s velvety vocal, blend to create a texture that sets the album apart. A small departure from the dark and intricate ribbon ties of Devotion, Dream may be a little less tightly wrapped, but is no less heartwarmingly endearing. |