This is a weird one for me: it’s objectively great, but I kind of just don’t need any more Beach House. The strings and acoustic guitar are nice, but otherwise it sounds exactly like their last 4 albums. I would equally understand someone calling this a masterpiece as I would someone calling it their least favorite BH.
For being their 8th album, it’s really remarkable how consistent and fresh this feels. They aren’t really a band you turn to for surprises, but I’m not sure anyone else making music right now can keep things as interesting while staying within pretty much the same sonic space they’ve always operated. So yeah, good stuff. My initial highlights are Superstar, Runaway, Over and Over, Masquerade, and The Bells
So I’m probably going to buy this because I’m a Beach House completist at this point. I think it’s strong. I will say that Beach House is one of the few great bands that I really don’t want a double album from. There are no bad songs here, but they are very much a vibe band and 18 songs is just a lot to digest even with the staggered rollout. Songs tend to bleed together over the course of 18 tracks. I feel like 7 was maybe their most dynamic record, this one kind of goes the other way. It’s really good though. Favorites are “Superstar”, “Sunset”, “The Bells”, “Finale”, “New Romance” and “Masquerade”. probably a record that will only grow in my estimation over the next 10 years though.
i love Beach House, but after everything that's transpired, they better have a good fucking reason for working with him.
Loving the new album! After listening through once, I bought the vinyl and tickets to their tour. As a casual fan of them, this one of my favorites.