In light of the frequency with which the markedly lustrous androgyny that’s so deeply intrinsic to Victoria Legrand’s vocal is remarked upon, it seems wholly appropriate for indomitable Baltimore duo Beach House to return with a track that, both vocally and musically, straddles the blurred divide that very roughly differentiates Kevin Shields from Bilinda Butcher. That track is the truly luminous Sparks, and it thus signals a somewhat radical departure from the polished dolour of Legrand and Alex Scally’s Bloom of three years ago; but such is the creative ambidexterity of the duo that, as they turn their hands (and perhaps feet, too) to these more shoegaze-y textures and tonalities, they’ve managed to contrive something that’s no less seductive than the oneiric nebulousness of Teen Dream from even deeper in the forever deepening annals of history…
Sparks is lifted from Beach House’s forthcoming fifth studio full-length Depression Cherry, which will be available from August 28th via Bella Union.