2008 found Baltimore based dream pop duo, Beach House,releasing their sophomore effort, Devotion. They took the opportunity to refine their sound and came through with bolder and brighter songs. The sense of eminent decay is still present, however they seem to have ditched the lo-fi aesthetic of their eponymous debut. Overall it’s a consistently stronger effort than the previous release. They maintain their preference for skeletal percussion which helps to underscore their penchant for dense melodies. The vocals remain haunting as ever, with vocalist Victoria Legrand inviting us into the murky depths of her romantic consciousness. Gatefold double vinyl.

• black double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Carpark Records 2008

reviewed by Seor Sueo Latino