Fifth studio album from Baltimore's Beach House. Depression Cherry was recorded between November 2014 and January 2015 at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana. The record was co-produced by Chris Coady, who worked on their previous two records, 2010's Teen Dream and 2012's Bloom. Due to their dissatisfaction with the sound of live drums on the tour to support Bloom, the band returned to the simpler arrangements of their first two albums. They seem to reject the idea that bigger is better and the results are quite stunning. The sound is intimate while maintaining a vast presence, melancholic with a imbued sense of hopefulness. There are traces of Stereolab and My Blood Valentine with Phil Spector's Wall of Sound popping up throughout the album, particularly on the transcendent "PPP." Victoria Legrand's float beautifully over the band's unabashedly artificial productions. Bathed in touches of reverb, her voice melts into the surroundings. With Depression Cherry Beach House has made a welcome return to the sound that defined their particular strain of dream pop while pushing it forward. Includes the songs: "Space Song," "Bluebird," "Sparks," and "Days Of Candy." Nine tracks in all. Released by Sub Pop with a red velvet textured sleeve and download code.

• red velvet sleeve
• includes free download
• music label: Sub Pop 2015

reviewed by Frank Booth 09/2015