So I was looking back at my portfolio and realised I never posted my review of Beach House’s Depression Cherry, which is a damn shame because I absolutely ruddy loved it. I did this while Noise Cannon was still going, here’s the original link (although the website may look a bit of a mess where it’s been neglected…) https://noisecannon.com/2015/08/27/beach-house-depression-cherry/
So here you go, and keep an eye out for a few more posts to come from my work at Vulture Hound.
Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, otherwise known as Beach House, are here with their fifth studio album, Depression Cherry and as expected of the duo, it is a really dreamy piece of work. Don’t let that lack of surprise fool you though, Beach House are far from tired and they certainly don’t do things by halves. Simplicity may be overlooked as ‘samey’, but their efforts in this album are certainly not lacking and the results are quite simply astounding. This album offers more than a relaxing backdrop that merely blends in with the four that came before it, and the bonus is you barely need to dig your claws in.
Depression Cherry comes in straight away with soothing, delicate tones that open the listener up to a place of comfort – savouring small details and gently introducing new elements so as not to thrust a medley of noises every which way. We know this album is going to be a dreamy affair, yet we still don’t quite know what’s going to happen next. Either way, it is clear that everything is going to fall into place smoothly. ‘Sparks’ opens with an enchanting vocal clip that is intriguing enough to arouse interest, and charming enough not to throw us off guard. This song upholds that comfortable feel, while inviting us to something more, building to a greater surge of sparkling energy. There is no rush in this album, Beach House have their timing on point, delivering their melodies at a pace that allows for recognition of every little element as it comes.
‘Space Song’ is another track that stands out, with romantic melodies and opening line “it was late at night, you held on tight” adding some warmth to the mood. A broody bassline offers a deeper feel against the popping tones overhead, and a swooning guitar envisions two loved ones dancing together in perfect harmony.
Throughout the album there are moments to drift away in to the blissful melodies, yet still maintain the choice of taking full notice to the stories they have to tell. Depression Cherry moulds to the listener – want to relax? Let it take you. Want to really get stuck into it? There’s plenty going on to get immersed into, and it’s there for the taking with no added pressure.
Final track ‘Days of Candy’ is a little more chilling with its spiritual feel of the choir tones and piano, a combination that provides the backdrop to vocals so delicate they border on being somewhat chilling. Slowly, elements heard previously throughout the album return to the surface, rounding Depression Cherry off with a gentle reminder of Beach House’s signature dreamy, yet poignant sound. Just like everything else, the end of the album comes round so smoothly, and the enchanting waves of “just like that, it’s gone”, make for a satisfying, soothing close of the album.
SAMANTHA MAE 