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| Consequence of Sound |
Beach Fossils - Somersault (Bayonet Records)
Released: June 2nd, 2017
The Beach Fossils are back with their first album in 4 years, Somersault. This is a follow up to their 2013 release Clash The Truth. That's the album that caught my attention as it was full of these quick and catchy indie-rock tunes, but they change it up a lot on this new record. Normally, all Beach Fossils records are done completely by frontman Dustin Payseur alone, but he decided to add band members Tommy Davidson and Jack Smith to this project, as they are found all over the songwriting credits. Beach Fossils have always been known for their jangly lo-fi sound but they take a completely different direction with Somersault, adding new instruments to create a fresh and laid-back indie-pop flavor.
Before the official release of this album, they released around 5 songs that made me so excited for the full release. "This Year" was the first to be posted and it leads off the album. A fun and playful acoustic guitar section is complemented by a thick bass-line and soft drums. Dustin Payseur's vocals on this song, and throughout the record, are more spacey and aired out, really adding to that gentle indie-pop vibe. The string section adds such a unique element to the song which takes it a step above just a plain indie track. The use of string instruments such as violins, violas, and cellos are seen all over Somersault's production. They also find a way to incorporate acoustic piano into many songs on the record.
"Saint Ivy" was another one they posted early on and it ended up becoming my favorite on the whole album. I am obsessed with the violin stabs during the first verse and throughout. The groovy drumming (very Mac DeMarco-esque) and flute solo were my favorite parts of this song, and even some of my favorite parts on the whole project.
I also love the gentle "Ahhhh's" right after the chorus on "May 1st". It creates a very relaxing aura and expands the chorus to some degree. This song glides right into the track "Rise" which is just this spoken word track with saxophone. I don't really understand its placement on the record or the reason its on here, very strange. "Sugar" is another one on here that truly creates a very relaxing aura. The smooth guitar riff that pops-up in the beginning and throughout is very catchy and minimal but it adds so much to the track.
Again, the presence of new instruments shows up again on "Closer Everywhere" through the use of an electric harpsichord, very different for Beach Fossils.
I also enjoy the dichotomy between the back to back tracks "Social Jetlag" and "Down The Line". The very drowsy drumming and dragged out vocals on "Social Jetlag" make you truly feel jet lagged. The use of piano on this track is very short and sweet but adds such a solid layer to the song. "Down Line" is one of the more energetic tracks on the record. A short and quick banger with a nice and full bass line really gets this song moving. The quicker drum-play really pushes that energy and then elevates it when the ride-cymbal enters. Back to back solid songs that seem to oppose each other in some form or another.
The longest on the whole album, "Be Nothing", starts off with this very calm and soothing acoustic section but then quickly turns into this full out jam halfway through the song. I love the energy this section brings, very fun listen.
Overall, I am very pleased with this new Beach Fossils release. I personally feel that it is a very enjoyable listen from start to finish. The incorporation of new instruments went over well and added an element to their music that we have never heard before. I thought this album was very "chill" and relaxing but not boring nor repetitive. They truly keep the listener intrigued through groovy bass lines and the introduction of woodwinds and strings. Beach Fossils have created one of the better indie/dream-pop records to show up in 2017 with Somersault. Listen below...
Listen: Beach Fossils - This Year (Click to Listen)
Rating: 8/10
Fav Songs: This Year, Tangerine, Saint Ivy, May 1st, Sugar, Social Jetlag, Down The Line, Be Nothing
Before the official release of this album, they released around 5 songs that made me so excited for the full release. "This Year" was the first to be posted and it leads off the album. A fun and playful acoustic guitar section is complemented by a thick bass-line and soft drums. Dustin Payseur's vocals on this song, and throughout the record, are more spacey and aired out, really adding to that gentle indie-pop vibe. The string section adds such a unique element to the song which takes it a step above just a plain indie track. The use of string instruments such as violins, violas, and cellos are seen all over Somersault's production. They also find a way to incorporate acoustic piano into many songs on the record.
"Saint Ivy" was another one they posted early on and it ended up becoming my favorite on the whole album. I am obsessed with the violin stabs during the first verse and throughout. The groovy drumming (very Mac DeMarco-esque) and flute solo were my favorite parts of this song, and even some of my favorite parts on the whole project.
I also love the gentle "Ahhhh's" right after the chorus on "May 1st". It creates a very relaxing aura and expands the chorus to some degree. This song glides right into the track "Rise" which is just this spoken word track with saxophone. I don't really understand its placement on the record or the reason its on here, very strange. "Sugar" is another one on here that truly creates a very relaxing aura. The smooth guitar riff that pops-up in the beginning and throughout is very catchy and minimal but it adds so much to the track.
Again, the presence of new instruments shows up again on "Closer Everywhere" through the use of an electric harpsichord, very different for Beach Fossils.
I also enjoy the dichotomy between the back to back tracks "Social Jetlag" and "Down The Line". The very drowsy drumming and dragged out vocals on "Social Jetlag" make you truly feel jet lagged. The use of piano on this track is very short and sweet but adds such a solid layer to the song. "Down Line" is one of the more energetic tracks on the record. A short and quick banger with a nice and full bass line really gets this song moving. The quicker drum-play really pushes that energy and then elevates it when the ride-cymbal enters. Back to back solid songs that seem to oppose each other in some form or another.
The longest on the whole album, "Be Nothing", starts off with this very calm and soothing acoustic section but then quickly turns into this full out jam halfway through the song. I love the energy this section brings, very fun listen.
Overall, I am very pleased with this new Beach Fossils release. I personally feel that it is a very enjoyable listen from start to finish. The incorporation of new instruments went over well and added an element to their music that we have never heard before. I thought this album was very "chill" and relaxing but not boring nor repetitive. They truly keep the listener intrigued through groovy bass lines and the introduction of woodwinds and strings. Beach Fossils have created one of the better indie/dream-pop records to show up in 2017 with Somersault. Listen below...
Listen: Beach Fossils - This Year (Click to Listen)
Rating: 8/10
Fav Songs: This Year, Tangerine, Saint Ivy, May 1st, Sugar, Social Jetlag, Down The Line, Be Nothing
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