Once Twice Melody
by Beach House
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Feb 18, 2022
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 80
  3. Negative: 4 out of 80
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  1. factorking
    Sep 1, 2023
    9
    A lush, cinematic masterpiece from one of the most consistent duos in modern music. A double album of masterful dream pop with touches of psychedelia that never overstays its welcome.
  2. petrichor1975
    Apr 5, 2023
    8
    "Once Twice Melody" is yet another terrific addition to Beach House's catalog. I really enjoyed the title track as it opens the album on a hopeful note. The band unveiled the album in four separate chapters, which I think was the right move as unveiling all 18 tracks at once would've been overstimulating and hard to digest. "Superstar" is driving and sounds like if Joy Division ever worked"Once Twice Melody" is yet another terrific addition to Beach House's catalog. I really enjoyed the title track as it opens the album on a hopeful note. The band unveiled the album in four separate chapters, which I think was the right move as unveiling all 18 tracks at once would've been overstimulating and hard to digest. "Superstar" is driving and sounds like if Joy Division ever worked with the Cocteau Twins. "Over and Over" is a beautiful and sprawling 7-minute epic that strips itself down to its most basic level and then builds itself back up. "Another Go Around" contains the subtle yet distorted production of the band's previous album and the lushness of their album "Bloom" while "Hurts to Love" displays Beach House showing off their new-wave skills. Overall, a great album.… Expand
  3. Honeyba
    Aug 20, 2022
    0
    This is just... bad. What a waste of time and money, honestly, so much autotune and zero talent
  4. Rafavictoria
    Aug 2, 2022
    10
    Exquisito de principio a fin, es increíble como después de 7 álbumes el dúo sigue sin decepcionar.
  5. vbueso
    Jun 10, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The most complete album of the band. A master piece of our era. Vic and Alex in their high level.… Expand
  6. jzarya
    Apr 21, 2022
    10
    oh my **** god i don't know how to say this, but this album is **** amazing. a blast.
  7. Ricko
    Mar 31, 2022
    9
    Beach House have been one of the most consistent bands of the last 15 years. They have such a unique style and never make a bad album. Swathes of their stuff blends into the consciousness without you being able to specifically recall it, but in the best possible way. It is dream pop at it's most literal. "Once Twice Melody", is their most ambitious album yet. It is a gigantic body of workBeach House have been one of the most consistent bands of the last 15 years. They have such a unique style and never make a bad album. Swathes of their stuff blends into the consciousness without you being able to specifically recall it, but in the best possible way. It is dream pop at it's most literal. "Once Twice Melody", is their most ambitious album yet. It is a gigantic body of work but its brilliance can be really appreciated when broken into its 4 sides. Of all Beach House albums, this is the first one that I really get a sense of a change in style. Such is the size of the album, there is more scope for variation. For example a couple of the tracks remind me of the French band AIR and their soundtrack work. Overall, this is an album bursting with layers of melodies blended to perfection. A standout album of 2022.… Expand
  8. Fuerstenberg
    Mar 14, 2022
    7
    Legrand and Scally did it again! Also their eighth album "Once Twice Melody" is a bright shining star and as unique as only Beach House can do it. A journey of life's joys and sorrows with nostalgic dreamy pop and lively arrangements.

    Divided into four chapters, this epochal masterpiece is perhaps a bit too long at almost 85 minutes in length. Moreover, the songs barely differ from each    Legrand and Scally did it again! Also their eighth album "Once Twice Melody" is a bright shining star and as unique as only Beach House can do it. A journey of life's joys and sorrows with nostalgic dreamy pop and lively arrangements.

    Divided into four chapters, this epochal masterpiece is perhaps a bit too long at almost 85 minutes in length. Moreover, the songs barely differ from each other and all sound quite similar. However, "Once Twice Melody" is sonically uniquely atmospheric and finely produced. It almost feels like levitating into the depths of the universe.

    My favorites:
    "Superstar"
    "New Romance"
    "Through Me"
    "Only You Know"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 14, 2022    … Expand
  9. TallSaint
    Feb 25, 2022
    10
    Best since Bloom. What an incredible band. I have been lost in these beautiful songs for weeks.
  10. HAGAR777
    Feb 23, 2022
    10
    O MELHOR ALBUM DE BEACH HOUSE, POIS É UMA MISTURA DE ALGUMA FORMA DE TODOS OS SEUS AKBUNS ANTIGOS
  11. toroRoma71
    Feb 22, 2022
    10
    Just loved this album. Was afraid for a clunker but this one is growing on me with every listen.
  12. tricky-1
    Feb 21, 2022
    9
    Where could Beach House go after this? Remain under conventions of a dream-pop (Cocteau Twins) and shoegaze (My Bloody Valentine) or to follow the path of sound of Stereolab, Air or even Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire de Melody Nelson? After 16 years, they still have plenty of tricks in their sleeves. It's something new but it is still Beach House. Regarding the album, as much as I love this,Where could Beach House go after this? Remain under conventions of a dream-pop (Cocteau Twins) and shoegaze (My Bloody Valentine) or to follow the path of sound of Stereolab, Air or even Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire de Melody Nelson? After 16 years, they still have plenty of tricks in their sleeves. It's something new but it is still Beach House. Regarding the album, as much as I love this, ''7, Bloom (still my favorite!), Teen Dream'' are mountain tops, but this is near the top itself. Because it's a double LP it requires repeated listenings to discover a beauty of each songs. Some saturation always follows. They have had material to explore and to expand the sound of the previous albums. To get back to the album, plenty of stuff are excellent here, but the songs that stand out are: Superstar and Over and Over (best on an album), title song, New Romance, Masquerade (most pop-ish). I have fear that OTM is their ''swan song'' and the breakup will follow. Who knows? 8.5/10… Expand
  13. Felipezd
    Feb 21, 2022
    10
    OTM is for sure a serious candidate to best album of the year. Beach House proves to be a powerhouse in modern music.
  14. Menios
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    The most ethereal album of the year. Superstar, Modern Love Stories, Masquerade and Over and Over kill me every time
  15. jw1293
    Feb 20, 2022
    10
    Somehow, they’ve outdone themselves. The best band somehow got better - impressively dynamic songs, clear vision, perfect execution.
  16. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 20, 2022
    6
    An exciting accomplishment that overstays it's welcome. Beach House has always had a homogenous sound with few variety, few surprises but rarely does it become monotonous. Throughout their expansive discography they've been able to reshape and deliver the same sound with different textures only this time it's not the case. Once twice melody feels empty and more like a collection of songsAn exciting accomplishment that overstays it's welcome. Beach House has always had a homogenous sound with few variety, few surprises but rarely does it become monotonous. Throughout their expansive discography they've been able to reshape and deliver the same sound with different textures only this time it's not the case. Once twice melody feels empty and more like a collection of songs than an album(which isn't to say it's not cohesive- consistency is their strength) but this album fades into itself for inoffensive pale results.… Expand
  17. spacemanrecords
    Feb 20, 2022
    9
    BEACH HOUSE you have done it again, you wonderful dreamy band...

    My review of this album comes from an extreme bias. My bias is that, this record, is like a direct shot of nostalgia to my younger years. The band implements heavy use of new wave and dream pop inspirations, and they perfectly weave in and out of the record. The wonderous instrumentation, makes me feel things inside and    BEACH HOUSE you have done it again, you wonderful dreamy band...

    My review of this album comes from an extreme bias. My bias is that, this record, is like a direct shot of nostalgia to my younger years. The band implements heavy use of new wave and dream pop inspirations, and they perfectly weave in and out of the record. The wonderous instrumentation, makes me feel things inside and that's pretty neat.

    was I skeptical of a DOUBLE LENGTH record? Yes, yes I was... Does it ever overstay its welcome in the almost 1.5hrs? NOPE

    I'm giving this one a strong 9. Thank you BEACH HOUSE    … Expand
  18. Jmcbride
    Feb 18, 2022
    10
    Once Twice Melody has got me completely RE-OBSESSED with BEACH HOUSE once again. I feel their music comes from a place of love and wisdom. There is a science to their engineering as well; it’s analytical, crafted, yet adventurous and creative. It can tell a different story to everyone:
    - Once Twice Melody is the beginning of a fairytale. - Superstar: We realize the potential of ourselves    Once Twice Melody has got me completely RE-OBSESSED with BEACH HOUSE once again. I feel their music comes from a place of love and wisdom. There is a science to their engineering as well; it’s analytical, crafted, yet adventurous and creative. It can tell a different story to everyone:
    - Once Twice Melody is the beginning of a fairytale. - Superstar: We realize the potential of ourselves and everyone around us.
    - Pink Funeral is the moment we realize the absolute beauty in life, death, memories, and infinity.
    - Through Me: When the energy flows literally though us, sharing it with everyone around us.
    - Runaway: When we run, think we are leaving, find ourselves progressing, and realize everyone is both lost and found.
    - ESP: We actually can almost read each other’s minds if we are paying enough attention.
    - New Romance: We can rarely feel the way we felt in the newest moment of a relationship, but what if we try?
    - Over and Over: The cycle we are in life, rewinding to relive the best memories we can conjure, and creating new ones, again.
    - Sunset: A rebirth hymn for the end; when we end and nature begins again.
    - Only You Know: We cannot blink in the midst of a life-defining event; and listen to the ones we trust, because they understand us.
    - Another Go Around: Giving it our best shot again. Together; armed with the memories that made us who we are.
    - Masquerade: Hidden from view, the fear of the unknown and the fleeting nature of presence by the ones we never want to lose.
    - Illusion of Forever: We think it could last forever, because we believe it truly can…..
    - Finale: When the endings should be fun, playful, and just another beginning.
    - The Bells: The warmth of being toasted with the ones we love is difficult to beat.
    - Hurts to Love: Painful to touch, excruciating to care, but it’s the only way to really live, and love. So do it anyway…
    - Many Nights: How many nights have we stared at the ceiling, or the sky, or the back of are eyelids, or into our dreams, thinking of the ones that we will always love, love and die for?
    - Modern Love Stories: A new world, where loves is nee but essentially the same - dark, scary, light, full of hope, and purely natural…..
    I naturally fell in love with such a diverse and well-thought out record. The fact that Victoria and Alex created it in their studio with such care, intensity, and endurance, all for the love of their craft, each other, and us as listeners. What respect they have truly shown to the craft. It feels good to exalt this masterpiece!!    … Expand
  19. bertobellamy
    Feb 18, 2022
    9
    Album of the year right here. Beach House is incapable of making a bad thing. None of the songs feels like a filler, and some of them are career-best. My favorite band has done it again.
  20. teemutrash
    Feb 18, 2022
    10
    One of their best albums if not the best. The way of releasing the album in 4 sets was genius, as you were able to digest each song thoroughly. Pure gold. Thank you Beach House
  21. Shipox
    Feb 18, 2022
    8
    Not the best one or compared to depression cherry or 7 i Love it so much

    With 18 tracks and 84 minutes of running time, Beach House have plenty of room to try out different things, but Once Twice Melody invariably sounds phenomenal. There are feathery acoustic guitars and rosy vocoders, watery analog synths and chord changes that explode like fireworks against the night sky, and all of it    Not the best one or compared to depression cherry or 7 i Love it so much

    With 18 tracks and 84 minutes of running time, Beach House have plenty of room to try out different things, but Once Twice Melody invariably sounds phenomenal. There are feathery acoustic guitars and rosy vocoders, watery analog synths and chord changes that explode like fireworks against the night sky, and all of it has been mixed to emphasize its nuanced contrasts and swollen dimensions. In their soaring choruses and sumptuous arrays of synths, guitars, and percussion, they have taken on the proportions of spectacular, stadium-sized alt pop. (Guest drummer James Barone’s controlled wallop goes a long way toward establishing the record’s blockbuster footprint.) Where once they sounded indebted to bands like Mazzy Star or My Bloody Valentine, here they’re chasing a shiny brass ring bearing the fingerprints of Air, M83, even Tame Impala.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best Album of 2022
46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 29, 2022
    80
    The duo is always tinkering around the edges of their sonic universe, getting darker, weirder, subtler, and more expansive. They do all of that on Once Twice Melody, and the payoff is enormous.
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  2. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 21, 2022
    66
    Legrand weaves a series of intersecting narratives of love and loneliness, intimacy and abandonment, maturity and nostalgia. Any one of these themes is rich enough to fuel far more than Once Twice Melody’s eighty-five minutes, but Beach House’s storytelling is defocused to the point of indistinction, strung out of moody vignettes that flow like asphalt and stick like the tide. ... Fortunately for us all, this is just too gorgeous a record to pose a true slog.
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  3. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 21, 2022
    80
    It’s testament to the structure and variety of Once Twice Melody that it never lags over 18 tracks, its gradual release paradoxically validating the album format as one still worth surrendering to, totally.
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