Beach House — “Once Twice Melody” Album Review By: Ingrid Hildebrand
The enchanting duo that is Beach House just fittingly released a new double studio album after three pandemic years entitled “Once Twice Melody,” split into four dreamy chapters. The album was meant to take the listener out of the monotonous cold gray February in which it was released—it not only achieves this, but goes as far as crossing time and space with haunting melodies and vivid imagery—almost reminiscent of a film, weaving through each disc.
Chapter 1
In “Superstar” the recurring theme of outer space entwines lost romance, and lead singer Victoria Legrand’s overlapping voice with ambient tones and rhythms is ethereal. With lyrics “When you were mine, We fell across the sky, Backlit up against the wall,” she sings of a love lost across time and space. The romanticization of past love is something so many can relate to, and her voice transports listeners to their personal treasured memories, gone and untouchable in history. The fade out after the bridge is what I appreciate most, as the reprise of the words “Superstar, shining far” combined with pointed drums and tones that can only be described as “spacey” makes it feel like the song fades into a black hole.
Immediately after, in “Pink Funeral,” the ethereal vibe continues, but turns more intentional with stronger beats, orchestral instruments, and darker lyrics—with allusions to the romantic ballet “Swan Lake” tragically unfolding throughout the song. I recommend listening with headphones in to immerse yourself in the song and every layer.
Chapter 2
Upon starting disc two, the beats of 80s song trends are front and center with techno pop and “video game music” combining in syncopated bullets of sound. This moves into harmonies that are likened to shooting stars, themes of angels in the endless nights and light surrounding all of us present in the lyrics. The world Beach House builds starts becoming clear during this side of the disc, heartbreak becomes the main plot of the film, reminiscing of better times through its soft vocals and melodies.
Chapter 3
While most would assume the climax of the cinematic extended album would be this third chapter, “Once Twice Melody '' does not follow this, and instead continues with its subdued flow, as opposed to distinct standout songs. This lack of vocal emphasis contributes to strengthening and affirming the far off world this album takes place in. “Illusion of Forever” takes synth pop to meet Beach House’s classic effervescent acoustic melodies. The dreamlike, whimsical feeling reawakens the album and lightens the rest of the chapter.
Chapter 4
Disc 4 features four-minute long songs that encapsulate the prior three chapters yet they have a reflective, soothing energy to it—almost like the sun setting over a long, perfect day. The ambient final song “Modern Love Stories” puts the finishing touch on the cinematic album with lyrics: “I reach into the darkness, The universe collects us / The end is the beginning, beginning to an ending.” These lyrics juxtaposed with acoustic guitars and instruments (rather than the effervescence of other tracks) and a quick fadeout ending gives the album a sense of grounding after the trip to space.
“Once Twice Melody” is definitely more abstract than their prior releases, emphasizing the depth and complexity of playing with the harmonies, as opposed to highlighting soft pop vocals. If you are in the mood to see the music, reflect through the transient melodies, and take yourself through a musical journey, consider this studio album.