Beach House - B Sides and Rarities

Dreampop legends Beach House seem to have writing soothing, chill tunes down to more than a T. With newest release B Sides and Rarities, the band offer us an insight into their inner workings, their artistic routines, and production techniques. Beach House describe their album creation as “[not] the “best" or most catchy songs that made the records, just the ones that fit together to make a cohesive work”. Opener Chariot is a simple, soft, and surreal exploration of Beach House’s traditional style. There’s something unspoken about the song, vocalist Victoria Legrand’s voice is effervescent while remaining syrupy, and the atmospheric instrumental keeps everything small and understated. Throughout the rest of the record, the band explore far reaches of music, testing what they can and can’t do. Second track Baby seems to be a dive for the duo, with tinges of Indian-inspired sitar and Victoria’s vocals deepening. Depression Cherry’s notable synth sounds and heavier drumbeats are inspired in tracks Equal Mind and Norway. B Sides and Rarities, despite being an amalgamation of cast-offs and throwaways, pretends itself as a cogent, tight, and satiating collection of bold tunes. Even with their B sides, Beach House manage to claim dreampop as their own--a genre that has never seen such a domination. B Sides and Rarities is best enjoyed on an overcast morning, with a hot drink, and a good pair of speakers.