Artist: Beach House
Title: Bloom
Label: Sub Pop
Rating: 7.9

Baltimore dream pop band Beach House is to release their fourth album on May 15 under the Sub Pop label. Made up of Alex Scally on guitar and keys and Victoria Legrand on vocals and organ, the band started as a recording project in 2004 focusing on simple compositions using organ, programmed drums and slide guitar.

Beach House posted the first song from the ten track album on their website way back on March 7 , which was followed a few days later with the official announcement of the release date by the label. The band’s dreamy style has got them a growing number of fans and critically acclaimed reviews – the slow,
atmospheric rhythms and textures continue to shine in Bloom. Notable influences on the band and new album include Big Star, Neil Young and The Zombies.

“Myth” is a zesty opener – piano and guitar are used appropriately for a dreamy essence. “Wild” follows with guitar more prominent and upbeat than the last album Teen Dream. “Lazuli” opens with some intense high pitched keyboard sounds but still in keeping with the hazy vibe. The main vocals on the track are done with passion by Scally, with backing vocals by Legrand. Jangly guitars add a new layer to their sound.

“Other People” features Legrand’s vocals again and she’s sounding as much as ever like German singer Nico. She sings; “Other people want to keep in touch, was it ever quite enough? Was it ever quite enough?” The song ends with ambient seaside sounds – waves crashing and birds crowing. The sounds run into the next track “The Hours” which is filled with more jangly guitars and female vocals.

The band uses the organ that made Beach House’s sound in the first place in in “Troublemaker” which is placed before the most poppy song on the album “New Year”. “Wishes” is a faster number in parts, Legrand muses; “wishes on the wheel, how’s it supposed to feel?” “On The Sea” is a sadder track, almost ballad like, Legrand talks about the world swallowing her up. The closing track “Irene” begins with white noise and is followed by a hidden track at around fourteen minutes in.

Beach House’s music continues to be great hazy dream pop with an atmospheric and nostalgic edge.

Reviewed by Heather Welsh.