Taken as a whole, this album was consistently better than Teen Dream. The highs weren't quite as high, but the lows weren't as low. I don't understand criticism that their sound hasn't been retooled much, this time around it all sounds much bigger, more involved and deliberate.

Many, including myself, wondered how beach house could possibly follow up their 2010 masterpiece Teen Dream. Beach House responded to this doubt by creating their largest and most elegant record to date, Bloom, an utter masterpiece. Bloom is one of the finest records created in the 21st century. The tracks are massive in scope, starting out small and quiet, slowly building towards their eventual greatness.

I will attest to the fact that I generally consider lyrics to be very unimportant as, in my opinion, they are the most superficial aspect of music and are not representative of true musical talent or ability; however, I will fully admit that Bloom has some of the best lyrics and lyrical songwriting that I have heard; Victoria and Alex truly know how to write strong, meaningful songs.

Victoria's voice on this album is absolutely incredible, she has one of the most beautiful and elegant voices in music; incredible range and a very unique timbre. She may be currently my favourite vocalist.

I find the entire album to be incredible, however, if I would recommend for new listeners and previous beach house fans to check out Troublemaker, The Hours, Lazuli and Myth as these are the standouts IMO, however, like I said the entire album is incredible

Already in May i think I have heard the best album of the year, Bloom, an album that is likely to be studied by musicians, critics and music theorists alike and recalled as the best work that of the 2000s/2010s dreampop movement.… Expand

golden from end to end, i never listening Beach House until now, and I'm shocked how good this band is, is very relaxing and simply beautiful songs, now i need checking out 2010 year album

Another unoriginal boring album not unlike their previous pile of rubbish. I would not recommend it to anyone with a modicum music listening experience.

This album would be better if they cut/replaced the meandering, fluff of songs at the end. It's there best pop album in terms of hooks and melodies; but its less idiosyncratic, intimate, and charming than their earlier albums, much in the trajectory Teen Dream predicted. Their least consistent and complete record, any of their earlier three would serve as a better introduction to what will probably be remembered as the best pop band of the 00s. It's not a bad album - probably the best they could put out at this point in their career, and it will probably still be one of the better 2012 records - definitely an important one at least.… Expand

I'd say the song Lazuli is really great. I was already interested in the band to begin with, and this album is bringing them closer to being one of my favorites.

This album is perfect for anything-- sleeping, driving, studying, etc. It is also very timeless and ethereal, so if you enjoy getting lost in the clouds for a bit you'll love it. It's definitely a grower, I wasn't hooked until my sixth or seventh listen. For both of those reasons, it can come off a bit esoteric, but it also creates a unique musical world if you give it a chance. Each song is intricately layered with synths, guitars, percussion, and more importantly Legrand's voice making the album indefatigable (each song now has more than 20 listens). The lyrics are also shrouded in whimsy, allowing songs to affect you differently with each listen. The only reason I give the album a 9 is that I believe Beach House still hasn't made their best album yet, though this one comes close. Their sound gets increasingly deeper and yet more refined, so I'm excited to see where they go next. Bloom may overwhelm those not ready for an overdose of dream pop, but for those who allow Bloom to work its magic will not be disappointed.… Expand

If you like Teen Dream, you'll like this. Similar style of album, not as many standout tracks on this one but I think it's a more consistent record. There's not much variation on the record - it's like being in one long dream-pop trance. You'd wonder where this band will go from here - they need to change their sound a bit if they want to progress further.

There's a time bands and artists in general must know the time to take a break and regather inspiration. Beach House should do that for a while in a course of releasing album after album with no real gaps between. Bloom sounds like we are listening the same album twice... this album would be Teen Dream. Most of the songs in Bloom are clearly reminiscent from their predecessor release: Alex structure to craft more pop oriented and pleasant riffs keeps going on here, but they are not as much brilliant or catchy as before. The melodies in general are not too much inspired, the lyrics are liter and brighter as ever, and what was good previously on Beach House catalogue remains goods here, but we have this odd impression we have heard that before and it was better. The album is not bad and far from mediocre, but lack inspiration and remarakable tunes. Is probably perfect for listeners who expect from Beach House background music. Though, is quite hard to imagine somebody chatting about how was the day with friends while Gila or 10 Mile Stereo is playing, is easy to picture somebody even washing dishes while most of Bloom songs are running on the playlist.… Expand

Absolutely fantastic. Contrary to common criticism, this album is quite distinct from its beautiful predecessor. Of course, the Beach House "sound" is in full force on "Bloom". As always, LeGrand's haunting voice and full-bodied keyboards interact beautifully with Scally's floating, perfectly placed guitar lines. In my opinion, this trademark sound alone would be enough to make the album satisfying -- but "Bloom" offers much more. It boasts an intensity that cannot be matched by any of the band's previous efforts, and results in some of its most captivating songs to date. One would be hard-pressed to find anything quite as powerful as the driving chords on "The Hours" or as mesmerizing as the repetitive "Irene" anywhere else in the Beach House catalog. The climactic bridges on songs like "Myth" and "Wishes" are simply euphoric. Misguided critics should stop trying to determine when Beach House will alter their sound, and pay attention to how the band has used this sound as a platform for one of the most exciting albums of 2012 so far.… Expand

!BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoM!

Bloom is everything Beach House set out to do. They are labeled a "dream pop" band and dream pop is exactly what they deliver on their fourth studio album. It's not an improvement on their near perfect predecessor Teen Dream, but it comes pretty close. Their sound is unlike anything else and that's what really sets them apart from other bands. All In All, Bloom is a fantastic album that, sounds cliche, gets better with each repeated listen. A-… Expand

A wonderful, creative album again. Everything is so perfect that almost touches unreal. Just being short of competing the best albums this year which are still Perfume Genius, The Menzingers and Anais Mitchell. Critics whose scores are below 70 should just be ashamed of what they have written. "The Hours" and more-than-8 minutes long "Irene" are the highlights of the album to me.

Beach House's dream pop album Bloom brings nothing groundbreaking in what they've done to this point already. It's like they're smoothing out the edges, giving the album repeatable listens without boredom. The album is loaded with hooks and catchy lyrics you won't be able to get out of your head for weeks.

This album is pure gold. Check out Manik Music's full staff review at http://www.manikmusic.net/reviews/beach-house-bloom/

In 2010, Beach House played Merriweather Post Pavilion, opening for Vampire Weekend. Ezra Koenig and his Ivy-League gang were touring in support of Contra, and Beach House had just released their breakthrough record, Teen Dream. It was a bizarre sight, Victoria Legrand hunched over a keyboard with her mess of wavy hair obscuring her face, guitarist Alex Scally sitting in a chair, and a drummer and bassist all huddled together in the middle of the massive stage. It was a venue built for a band like Vampire Weekend, who stood acres apart during their performance, but Beach House looked out of place. And the audience, though they sent out plenty of applause, didnâ… Expand

I have to say that I really didnt enjoy Beach House's first two albums when they came out, but I really thoroughly enjoyed Teenage Dream. If you enjoyed that album, then you will also enjoy this one as it sounds very similar...which could be a good thing or a bad thing. Otherwise one of the best albums, if not slightly unoriginal, that I have heard thus far this year.

Some people will dismiss dream pop as boring, unfun and a perfect alternative for a lullaby, and will use this record as a point to back up their point, but I say ****

Terrific album!!! Beach House has evolved in terms of sound: songs now have a heavy and real beat (they have a new drummer) instead of programmed beats, the sound is more complex, with more sound effects and the guitar line has more importance, with a clear and loud sound. You can't say is their best work, however. The album's second half decreases, and it doesn't show the same sound power as the first half. Nevertheless, it's a great album and it deserves a position in Top Best Albums of 2012… Expand

Clearly inferior to their previous and wonderful album, uninspired, with less tunes and much more standardized production values, I really am amazed at all the critics who define it as a career peak. Gets really boring and I am even disturbed with Victoria's new-found voice. Disappointing to say the least...

"Bloom" has everything I loved about "Teen Dream" only it also includes real instrumentation and a bottom to the bassline. The problem I had with "Teen Dream" was that it had no "Umph!" Every drum part sounded straight out of a Casio. Maybe that was part of it's charm but for me, "Bloom" is a much more tangible album with a bit more bang for your buck.

Absolutely their best album. Nicely addictive and flowing. I cant come up with a negative thing to say about it. A perfect 10 in my book. I already see this album being the soundtrack to my summer.

After finishing Beach House's 2010 record "Teen Dream" I wondered what would come next. How could they make another album that lived up to the greatness "Teen Dream" had? To me, there was simply no way anyone, let alone Beach House could make another record that was as excellent as Teen Dream. However, after hearing "Myth", the first single from "Bloom", my concerns sufficed. Bloom is spectacular. It is astonishingly good. It's powerful and deep and euphoric and complex and absolutely gorgeous. It has such a BIG sound that is unparalleled. It is Beach House finally in full bloom. If Teen Dream was the bud, Bloom is the flower. Anyways, while it's excellent as a whole, there are a few songs that stand out. "Myth" is a near perfect opening track. It builds and builds and then explodes into the chorus while maintaining that luscious beat. "Troublemaker" starts small and modest, but quickly expands into one of the most euphoric tracks I've heard. However, "Troublemaker" and "Myth" pale in comparison to "On the Sea". On the Sea is hands down the best song I have ever listened to in my entire life. Nothing can compare. Words cannot begin to describe how this song makes me feel. It's a perfect track. 5:32 of pure bliss. If you don't own this album, get it. It's a timeless piece of music and its treasures are something to marvel at.… Expand

As onerous and harmonically flaccid as the equally overrated 'Lonerism', none of the tracks on 'Bloom' live up to the title's promise. With this Lp, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally finally admit that they have a formula, and they're not keen on deviating from it, thank you very much. The opening track, 'Myth' sets the pace for the entire album - itself being little more than rerun of Billy Idol's 'Eyes Without a Face' run through some expensive studio equipment. For the next hour or so, song after song of synthetically birthed melody shuffles along at an exceptionally polite, mid-tempo pace. That's not to say this album is bad. If you've never listened to Beach House or haven't already had your fill of dream-pop over the past 20 years, by all means buy the album, you'll enjoy it. But if you've already heard 'Teen Dream' or 'Devotion', than frankly, you've already heard 'Bloom'.… Expand