Back in 2010, Beach House released it’s third album Teen Dream, and instantly this band found a new audience and the recognition it deserved. Dream itself felt like the band had really made it, experimenting with new sounds and songs, making it feel like a second debut album of sorts. Career defining albums always push that notch, from slightly drowning to head above water; from here it’s sink or swim. On the group’s follow up,  Bloom, the synths are ratcheted up, the dreamy guitar is at 11, and you’re new love obsession is the lovely Victoria LeGrand.

Legrand and Alex Scally are reunited with engineer Chris Coady, the man behind Teen Dream’s signature sound. Coady’s knack for exposing Beach House’s trademark instrumentation is sure to make life long friends and fans of this record, which doesn’t really push the genre so much as just helping it to it’s next, natural state. The album is engineered so well, in fact, that it sounds like one long continuous track, which some will take as an insult, but really it’s a complement. In exposing what works, slight variation isn’t something most bands choose to do, but it’s showcased well here. It never comes off as tiring at any point.

“Luzuli” is a track obsessed with lapis lazuli stone, and when I mean obsessed I mean, stalkerish. The track opens with a really addictive synth solo, coupled with sampled drums. The songs lucid sound creates a feeling of euphoria, a dream like state for the listener to fall for. “The Hours” plays with a dichotomy that is so mysterious and troubling that it’s immediately addictive. The simple guitar notes are strangely attractive and with LeGrand’s sultry voice this has the potential to be a summer classic. The opening track, “Myth” begins with a beautiful and simple guitar melody, but the song builds from there, slightly and ever so gently; slowly, it changes up halfway through the track. The precision of the track is impeccable.

While the songs on here aren’t packed with experimentation and instrumentation out the ass, they’re tightly crafted, to the point where each song could derail off it’s track if one note is missed. This new approach further’s what the band is capable of and how they’re able to evolve in the slightest variation. In it’s raw form that is what music embodies, evolution and those band’s that thrive in it. Beach House have proven themselves with this one, Darwin would be proud, you’ve learned to swim well.

Album Rating: Buy is on CD or Vinyl

Listening Co-efficient: Passive Listen

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