Tune-age Tuesday: Beach House

Beach House - “Beach House”

A few months back a friend burned me discs of about 6 different records which then sat in my car for months before I finally ran out of things to listen to and threw them on. The other 5 didn’t really impress me, but something about this resonated right out of the gate. It is a very low-fi and unassuming record. The elements are fairly simple…shimmering 60’s sounding organs with corresponding drum machines (imagine finding an old wood paneled organ-esque machine in your grandmother’s basement with far too many knobs…the sound that comes out of that is pretty much what you will hear on this record), minimal but tasteful guitar, and a relatively low female voice. There are wonderful pop hooks throughout (in particular on “Master of None”), but done in an understated way that is quite refreshing to hear.

This record has a nostalgic sound that hangs out in that wonderfully ambiguous space between beautiful, sad, and longing. I think they chose the name Beach House not because it sounded like some summer party, but more like hanging out in a mostly empty beach house in October when the town is quiet, the air is cool, and the sand untouched. Perfect listening for grey autumn days, of which there will be plenty in coming months.