After delivering what was many people’s 2013 musical highlight She Beats, Beaches have far exceeded anyone’s expectations by releasing the double album Second of Spring. What is an immense feat for any band is made all the more impressive given the members are all juggling other artistic projects. The result is an expansive, instrumentally rich record that favours the intensive exploration of sounds rather than an immediately satisfying hook.
Instrumental opener Turning stomps into focus as the band’s signature fuzzed out guitars come in. Another instrumental highlight is Divers which starts with the wail of a guitar to immediately grab your attention. The song’s pace keeps listeners on their toes, speeding up to offer an interesting new melody before returning to its repeated yet enrapturing underlying layer.
Wine is grittier, with echoed vocals conjuring a hazy yet inviting atmosphere. The band follow up with the jubilant Arrow which feels very New Order meets Melbourne garage. It’s not all dissonant guitars, however, with Bronze Age Babies a surprising twist to the band’s repertoire.
Second of Spring offers more than you could possibly digest in one sitting, but this doesn’t leave one feeling overwhelmed, merely eager to return to the record for new moments to savour.
