Bloom
After two albums of harmony-heavy dream pop, Beach House continued its dazzling evolution with 2010‘s *Teen Dream*, which we named Best Alternative Album in iTunes Rewind. The ethereal, hypnotizing melodies are as gorgeous as ever on the duo’s forthcoming *Bloom*. From the jump, a sinewy guitar melody gets blanketed by blissful atmospheric mist on “Myth.” While *Teen Dream* introduced more complexity (which is echoed on the weightless, organic melodies floating from composition like “Troublemaker”), *Bloom*’s “On the Sea” proves that Beach House can also drop our jaws (and give us chills) with stripped-down, piano-driven journeys.
Bloom is the fourth full-length album by Baltimore-based Beach House. Like their previous releases (Beach House in 2006, Devotion in 2008, Teen Dream in 2010), it further develops their distinctive sound yet stands apart as a new piece of work. Bloom is meant to be experienced as an ALBUM, a singular, unified vision of the world. Though not stripped down, the many layers of Bloom are uncomplicated and meticulously constructed to ensure there is no waste. Bloom was recorded in 2011 at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, TX and mixed at Electric Lady in NYC. The band co-produced the record with Chris Coady.
Two years ago, Teen Dream felt like such a complete realization of Beach House's potential that it had to make you wonder where they could possibly go from there. By just about every measure, the Baltimore duo's fourth album is stronger than anything they've done before.
Beach House’s 2010 breakthrough Teen Dream found Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally replacing the peeling floral wallpaper of a pair of bedroom releases with metallic hues and sharp lines. In many respects, Teen Dream was the Baltimore duo’s debut album, the record that revealed its vision as fully formed. Like all…
Coming off their much-lauded Teen Dream , indie-pop duo Beach House return from two years of touring with their highly…
It’s starting to feel like Beach House’s ‘time.’ 2010’s Teen Dream saw the Baltimore duo begin to emerge from under the shadow of friends and touring partners Grizzly Bear, and there’s a sense that Bloom could take them to the next level.
Beach House isn't really an "ain't" kind of band, but the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" piece of folk wisdom runs strongly on Bloom.
It’s fair to say that ‘Bloom’ is no giant leap from the Beach House sound that has come before.
The dreamy Baltimore duo return with a fourth album that coasts along nicely, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>
The only thing that actually elevates Bloom from the linearity of its reverb-caked narcosis is the effort of vocalist Victoria Legrand.
Beach House 'Bloom' album review on Northern Transmissions. 'Bloom' by Beach House is now available on Sub Pop Records
The perfect surfaces of Beach House's fourth album can be hard to break through, writes <strong>Maddy Costa</strong>