The debut album from 20-year-old Beatrice Laus (AKA Beabadoobee) is a concoction of surreal noises and distortion.
Opening tune ‘Care’ has all the characteristics of a indie rock banger that gets heavy rotation in your local indie club. You know the one. The club in your hometown that all the alternative kids go to because of the cheaper drinks, but it only plays tunes like ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ and ‘Mr Brightside’. Its got it all: Stadium-sized drums, jangly guitar riffs and unapologetic subject matter. Bea sings about not giving a shit and says in the press release, “It is pretty much me being angry at society, or people around me who I just don’t think know me and don’t care. I don’t want you to feel fucking sorry for me.”
Another tune that seems to follow the same subject matter of not giving a shit is ‘Dye It Red’. In the first verse Bea sings, “Kiss my ass, you don’t know jack and if you say you understand, you don’t, you don’t.” This recurring theme of change is present through out the album and Bea’s lyrical content is the opposite of teenage angst and comes across as a strong, impenitent young woman on the cusp of finding herself.
Potentially the best song on the album, ‘Sorry’ feels like a size 10 Dr. Marten to the nose. (Honestly, just wait for the drop. Put a pair of headphones on and play it loud.) With a Nivarna-esque guitar chords and a lucid sting section behind her; that progressively leads in to huge drum fills and all downward strum distorted guitar. ‘Sorry’ is a tune that gives your head a wobble and gives you a sense of relief afterwards. This mainly due to the fact because I dance round my room kicking things while listening to it.
‘Emo song’ is dripping in melancholy lyrics and dreamlike synthesised noise. The beginning sounds like something out of The 1975’s repertoire with huge echoing bass and samples that sounds like they where recorded in the train station. The tune sounds like an acoustic track but experiments with guitar pedals and synths. The use of delay, reverb and tremolo is definitely present, however the lead line during the chorus is defiantly indescribable.
‘How Was Your Day?’ is a lo-fi recording that sounds very similar to the first tune that Bea released which was ‘Coffee’. You know the one. That tune that went viral on TikTok and talks about coffee with a guy rapping over the top. This tune feels like a lightyear away from this. Its raw lyrics and gritty recording 4 track recording make you appreciate the raw talent that Bea has.
Overall the album is pretty good. It taps into 90’s Brit pop (according to my uncle who was there), Grunge, bedroom pop and rock. It incorporates all of these different genres but still includes Bea’s angelic vocal. Whether she’s shouting about a lost love or softly asking about your day you’re sure to revisit this album and give it the credit that it deserves.