Beabadoobee – Beatopia

Beabadobee’s sophomore album Beatopia is a childhood dream in the flesh. Every song and lyric in this record comes together under Beabadobee’s thoughts on growing up, maturity and growing apart. She explores a lot of self-reflection and hatred, diving deep into the problems she finds within herself and working through it all. With very few words spoken, Beabadobee immerses listeners in the psychedelic sounds produced by her vocals and the overwhelming instruments surrounding the harmonies she creates.

Beatopia Cultsong opens, immediately inducing a mellow state of mind. The purpose of this track recalls Cheshire rockers The 1975’s pattern of having a self-titled intro piece in every album. Then comes 10:36, which continues the rough recording style Beabadobee is known for in songs like How Was Your Day and Yoshimi, Forest, Magdalene. There’s a nice build-up to the bridge in which she brings some 2007 Avril Lavigne. The lyrics flipflop between keeping distance between herself and her significant other, and wanting him around for comfort. She alternates her real thoughts in the chorus with her detachment in the verses. Sunny Day ties in thematically with 10:36, saying things she doesn’t mean. The production is very reminiscent of M2M tracks like Mirror Mirror and Pretty Boy as well as mid-2000s Filipino music such as the likes of Kim Chiu’s Crazy Love and Sandara Park’s Smile in Your Heart.

In Broken CD, Beabadobee repeats the same feelings of anxiety she explores in previous record Fake It Flowers. This song calls back to those same lyrics found in her single Care. Repetition in general is a staple in the artist’s work, as exhibited in Talk. She cleverly times the repeated phrases and words with the rhythmic beat of the drums and the progression of her melody, producing a messy sound, reflective of the organised chaos of the relationship she sings about. Fairy Song is very much like Best Day by Taylor Swift in which Beabadobee confronts the passage of time through the people surrounding her. She lets go of selfish childhood whims and transitions into maturity.

Tinkerbell Is Overrated is the final step into Beabadobee’s growth. As Tinkerbell has close ties with Peter Pan, Beabadobee faces the reality of refusing to grow up and getting left behind. Still like a child, she finds a safe space and comfort within the four walls of her bedroom, as she always has.

Mae Trumata

Beatopia is released on 15^th July 2022. For further information or to order the album visit Beabadoobee’s website here. The album is available in Hi-Res on Qobuz and all the major streaming services.

Watch the video for the single Talk here: