Beach House: Teen Dreams

Baltimore-based duo Beach House have crafted what could very well be the first breakthrough album of the decade. Recorded in a converted church called Dreamworld in New York, Teen Dreams is a hazy, somnambulistic take on blissout musical reverie.

Openers Zebra and Silver Soul are sunkissed dreampop delights, gently yet seductively guiding the listener into the album, which is reminiscent of Mazzy Star, Mojave 3 and Galaxie 500. Track three Norway is undoubtedly the standout cut, woozy slide guitar fills interweaving with breathy backing vocals. The sheer consistency of the album is astounding and while it may not sound like the band veer far from their initial sound, this is purely due to the band being entirely at home, exhibiting full confidence in their own sound. Building upon the recording location, Teen Dreams is a veritable sonic cathedral, each instrument and vocal give more than ample space to breath amidst the lush production textures courtesy of Chris Coady.