A single mood dictating an album usually spells disaster for an artist’s newest project. One tone, whether emotionally distraught or joyous, can turn to pure monotony with extreme ease. Beach House attempts to turn this pitfall on its head with their fifth album, Depression Cherry. Through the predominant use of melancholic synth work and modified vocals, the band channels a mellow yet trite mood that forms an emotionally complex album.
Depression Cherry upholds an eerie, mystical quality through the course of each song. The album begins strong with “Levitation,” a calm, spritely track categorized by brooding, electronic vocals that evoke a positive mood despite its somber qualities. Tracks like this and “Wildflower” utilize the abstract capabilities of synthesizers to reflect emotional ambiguity; moments of joy are somehow scraped out of each morose song.
Bizarre synth work creates the surreal world of Beach House. A great deal of the songs feel otherworldly. On occasion this may stretch too far, yet the band comes backwith traditional alt-rock guitar and drums to ground the works. The ever-so-trippy “Space Song” holds steady with consistent drums and synth emulations of guitar riffs for an impressive piece that you can listen to all five minutes of with ease.
With songs averaging four and a half minutes and over, I would suggest that Beach House should take brevity into consideration on their future albums. The last minute or so of several tracks lose their ability to entertain the listener. The six minute long “PPP” suffers from such repetition. One would say that “Days of Candy” and “10:37” have these problems as well, but sudden bursts of vocal energy break out over the soothing synth to shake things up a bit.
With an impressive five albums in seven years, the Baltimore-based duo has continued to keep their energy flowing. Powerful lyrics hidden underneath dense electro backing music create this emotional story that unquestionably takes a few listens to discover the nuances. Perhaps this layered piece can be interpreted right off the bat by the album name. Depression Cherry is a contrasting title within itself. Beach House strives to show inner sweetness in desolation and sorrow, and does it aptly so.
Our Favorites: “Space Song,” “10:37”
Images: subpop.com, conversationabouther.net
