Baltimore band Beach House struck starved fans with the release of two new albums in the span of two months, which begs the question: why did they not put out one big album?
For starters, the two records have completely different sounds.
Each nine-song compilation remains true to the dream pop style so characteristic of Beach House, but the August release Depression Cherry is lighter and more simplistic than the almost doom pop vibes of Thank Your Lucky Stars, fittingly released in October.
These consecutive albums make up for the three year absence of new material from Beach House. Since 2012’s Bloom, Beach House was signed to Sub Pop, evidently in preparation for these new releases.
Depression Cherry evokes the feeling of floating in its lighter, softer vocals and sounds. “Space Song” is the highest energy you’ll get on the album with its aching riffs and electronics. In contrast, you can feel suspense dripping in the echoes of Thank Your Lucky Stars. It is darker, spookier almost, and at times the dream-like stylings turning into something nightmarish. Perhaps this is a little strong, but in comparison to the August release, Thank Your Lucky Stars haunts you. At least, I got goose bumps.
These records mark the band’s fifth and sixth full-length albums. The statement on Beach House’s bandcamp claims that Depression Cherry was “a return to simplicity with songs structured around a melody and a few instruments,” while their publicity statement for Thank Your Lucky Stars on Sub Pop’s website reads that “this record feels very new for us [them] and a great departure from our last few records.” Interestingly enough, the two albums were recorded during the same sessions.
Besides their contrasting sounds, it is apparent that each album holds a different purpose. Depression Cherry came first, but it seems Thank Your Lucky Stars happened organically, almost by accident. Again referencing the Sub Pop statement, Beach House said “The songs came together very quickly and were driven by the lyrics and the narrative.” They said also that at times Thank Your Lucky Stars felt political and “made us want to release it without the normal ‘campaign’.”
By now the majority of Beach House’s tour for the two records has sold out, but that shouldn’t stop you from swaying to these songs in your bedroom or in the back of a dark house party. Whichever you might be in the mood for, Beach House provides it on these two albums.
