Let’s face it: summer is over. It’s time to put away your sunscreen and short pants in favor of hot coco and wooly sweaters. It’s a bitter-sweet time; the end of something great, yet the beginning of something beautiful. Nothing marks the end of this epic summer quite like Beach House’s album Depression Cherry.
Released August 28, Beach House has finally rewarded their fans with a new album full of the complex emotions that encumber us on our everyday journeys – nothing less of what we’ve come to expect from the dynamic duo as of late, since nearly every album they’ve released has been highly praised.
I first started listening to Beach House a couple of years ago and fell in love with the ethereal aura of their music. Whenever I would feel uneasy or anxious, or even if I just wanted to chill, Beach House is always there to lull me into a surreal, blissful state. And there’s something that seems overwhelmingly sincere about Beach House’s music, making it easy to relate to. Without even paying attention to the lyrics, the music speaks for itself from the emotion and work that’s been put into it. The pair from Baltimore seem to devote an unimaginable amount of thought into their art which can sometimes seem hard to come across these days.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]“The songs feel glorious and life-altering, yet intimate and safe, like a home away from home.”[/su_pullquote]Even their website is a reflection of their creativity and profound sense of meaning. The simplicity and non-frivolous style in which they market themselves is a testament to their quality. A customized lyrics page for every song on the album elevates Depression Cherry to a whole new level.
From the first song to the last, Depression Cherry takes you on a journey of nostalgia and discovery. Constantly, you’re reminded of the memories of the past and the possibilities of the future. The songs feel glorious and life-altering, yet intimate and safe, like a home away from home.
French-born Victoria Legrand’s enchanting vocals connect seamlessly with guitarist Alex Scally to form songs that perfectly mirror the abstractness of life. The pair’s music has a consistency that fans have come to expect. Yet, the subtle changes made with every album leaves something fresh, bringing new perspectives into light and to the forefront of the listeners’ minds.
In a recent interview with Pitchfork.com, Legrand expressed the difficulties of putting her almost out-of-this-world thoughts into words.
“Describing a moment of creativity is impossible,” Scally said.
Which illustrates exactly why the band’s music has the atmosphere that it does.
[su_pullquote]“…the dream-pop duo added a choir component to the beginning of the song, making it stand out from any of their other work.”[/su_pullquote]The ninth and last song on Depression Cherry, “Days of Candy”, would have to be my favorite. Unlike any other of their songs, the dream-pop duo added a choir component to the beginning of the song, making it stand out from any of their other work. The lyric “Just like that, it’s gone” perfectly sums up the feeling you get when something you love ends. Nothing great lasts forever, but to dwell on that fact would be a mistake because only the future lies ahead.
Whether you’re biking on a clear day or watching the leaves fall outside your window, Beach House’s Depression Cherry will immerse you in its complex world of conflicting emotions leaving you with a complete feeling of sanctuary. Depression Cherry is a journey for the mind, a trek of emotions that is truly unforgettable.
