Tag: dream pop

Beach House tops Billboard charts with ‘Once Twice Melody’

Posted on by Max Hammer

Baltimore dream pop duo Beach House’s new album, Once Twice Melody , continues to chart, a week after scoring their first No.1 and the biggest-selling album in the country, according to Billboard.

We don’t usually mention Billboard on this blog, but this is one case where an exception is not only appropriate, but warranted thanks to the big, dreamy, soft hugs on the 18-song, double album (just wish it had a better album cover) that is Once Twice Melody .

The rockstar-duo of keyboardist/vocalist Victoria Legrand and guitarist, keyboardist, and backup vocalist Alex Scally, have nailed a dream-pop/shoegaze sound and style that is the music of angels, blue skiies and soft rolling green hills.

Yeah, maybe corny, but who gives a fuck? They craft gorgeous, beautiful, dreamy, melodic, soaring, etc. music on one track after another for more than a decade now.

During that same time, BH has gradually gained the ear and respect of many top musicians in various genres.In fact, Kayne West is reportedly in the studio with BH right now. (West actually gave Indie Rock Cafe a huge boost back in 2009 when he gave some love, and a link, to IRC on his blog.)

It was four years ago when Baltimore indie duo Beach House dropped their last album – the epic, blockbuster simply titled 7, marking BH’s seventh studio album.

A number of critics have called 7 BH’s best album to date, which is a remarkable statement when you consider the quality of albums like Bloom, Depresson Cherry and Devotion. They may need to update such declarations based on the band’s latest release.

From all indicators, Once Twice Melody, is on its way to matching or out-doing critics’ and fans’ existing or previously-favorite BH album – as scandalous as it is to say around Beach House super fans who came of age in the past decade-plus.

Beach House drops another five tracks from upcoming double-album release

Posted on by IRC Staff

Beach House‘s new album Once Twice Melody drops on February 18 via Sub Pop and Bella Union.

Baltimore’s famous indie dream pop duo Beach House has just released Chapter 3′ from Once Twice Melody featuring five new tracks, including the seductive “Masquerade”.

The releasing of tracks from the double album via installments over the past months is a smart strategy as it slowly builds anticipation of Beach House fans by revealing a few synth-glazed tracks at a time rather than all at once – or even just one single at a time (which is a more common tactic).

Here’s what one fan, mattyb01, wrote on Bandcamp: “already some of the best dream pop/shoegaze I’ve heard since Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time by Candy Claws.

“The absurd amount of time and talent that must have went into making this album shows, and I’ll be patiently waiting for the rest of the parts as they come out. The mix of synths and drum machines with guitars, as well as the absolutely gorgeous string arrangements make for a extremely entertaining listening experience. Favorite track: Pink Funeral.

Many fan comments selected “Starstruck” as the best of the new tracks.

Once Twice Melody is Beach House’s eighth studio album release.

Despite chapter after chapter drops it’s going to be very interesting to hear the entire project all at once when it officially drops next month.

In all, 13 of the 18 tracks are available to stream via the duo’s Bandcamp page:

 

AMFM drops new shoegaze single, ‘The River’

Posted on by indierocker

amfm-music

“The River” is a recent track from AMFM, strutting a hazy rock sound with ample melodic engagement. The project comes via David Caruso, producing his tracks out of Brooklyn. Hypnotic guitar swells complement vocals that reflect on the passing of time, remarking things are “just the same as yesterday,” while also looking ahead of future years. Approaching the two-minute mark, a dose of spacey synths add enjoyably to the textured bliss. The wave of shoegaze-y guitars that follow caps this section off as a standout sequence of events. “The River” is a well-produced gem that rewards listeners with hypnotic textural charm and a strong melodic output.

Per Caruso: “This song was about the competition thats been created with social media. The quest for likes. The quest to be liked. You’ll never really be happy. Does it matter?”

This post appeared first on Obscure Sound. By Mike Mineo.

L.A. Duo Drauve Drop Dreampop Track “Rollercoaster”

Posted on by August W. Zander

The dreamy, swooning “Rollercoaster” is a delightful track from Drauve, the pop duo comprising Victoria Draovitch and Stephen Grzenda. Now based in Los Angeles, after relocating from Pennsylvania last year, Drauve released their SELF IMPROVEMENT EP this past December. That release saw nice praise, and now “Rollercoaster” makes a strong mark as their latest single. Serene guitar swirls and lush vocals craft an engrossing, accessible initial feel, with punchier percussion and key-laden flourishes emerging thereafter alongside spirited vocals for a more pop-forward feeling. The project struts a dream-pop lightness with ample appeal, strengthed by the band’s production, produced alongside collaborator Jeremy Rosinger (Isaac Lewis, My Favorite Color).

“The song, at face value, is about a toxic relationship with a partner,” says Draovitch, “but I’m actually talking about pursuing a music career. I love it and could never let it go, but it definitely sends me a spiral of anxiety and self-doubt at least once a week.”

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Originally posted on .

Kekko’s gorgeous dream pop single ‘Past Lives’

Posted on by August W. Zander

The gorgeous track “Past Lives” is a surefire success from Kekko, the Singapore-based husband/wife duo Tim Kekko and Cherie Kekko. The track confidently shows a mixture of shoegaze and dream-pop, the initial gauzy guitars unfolding gently into Cherie Kekko’s angelic vocal touch. The touch of synths during the chorus – “just close your eyes,” – is comfortingly melodic and replay-inducing. The mid-section bridge sees flourishing, lush synths alongside wordless vocals, reminding fondly of Beach House, before transitioning back into a rock-friendly fervor. Captivating throughout, “Past Lives” is among the most melodic rock singles of the year thus far.

This post first appeared on Obscure Sound!