On July 22, 2022, Filipino-British singer and songwriter Beatrice Laus, popularly known as Beabadoobee, released her second studio album Beatopia, through the label Dirty Hit. This album has a total of 14 tracks, featuring artists such as PinkPantheress, Matty Healy, George Daniel, and even Robin Skinner from the band Cavetown. The album was named Beatopia from the imaginary world Laus created when she was a child. Switching between various soft and hard melodies, Beatopia encapsulates the themes of love, growing up, self-acceptance, and even heartbreak throughout the 14 tracks.
I’ve been an avid listener of Beabadoobee since 2021 and have listened to her whole discography; what stood out to me about Beatopia was that almost every track had a backstory or meaning behind it. I will be judging a few tracks on the album based on the meaning, instrumental composition, and the overall mood.
Track 1: “Beatopia Cultsong”
This track was one that really entranced me. I feel as though this track is always overlooked, as it is seen as just an opening track; however, it really sets the scene for the entire album. I was one to overlook this track as well, until I really decided to listen to it. The song starts off with a slow acoustic guitar with ambient noises in the background, leading up to a short pause before a quicker, upbeat tone with the sounds of a tambourine playing. All of this, paired with the repetitive line, “Is it me, or recently, time is moving slowly?” is what makes it catchy. The distorted sound effects towards the end of the track perfectly transition into the next song: “10:36”.
Track 2: “10:36”
This track is one of my favorites, as it’s one of those songs you put on full volume every time you play it. It’s one of those songs you can really lose yourself in, and that’s how I feel about this song. “10:36” is actually named after the exact time that Laus finished writing the song. This track is loud and brutal in a way that’s addicting. The distortion of the electric guitar paired with the drums, loud singing, and repetitive lyrics is what brings the song to life.
Track 5: “Ripples”
To me, “Ripples” is the most beautiful song on the album. “Ripples” is definitely on the gentle and melancholic side, starting off with the sound of a violin before the soft playing of a guitar. The sound of the violin can be heard throughout bits and pieces of the song, with the vocals leading the song. This track expresses feelings of isolation and loneliness after being away from loved ones, as well as the self-reflection and appreciation of those relationships. It’s about dependency on those who you may push away eventually. Although the meaning itself is quite sad, I feel like this track is one that I’ll sing my heart out to forever.
Track 6: “The Perfect Pair”
This song is one of Laus’ most streamed songs in her discography, and I see why. This track has a bossa-nova style beat and again is played with an acoustic guitar. Even with its upbeat and groovy instrumental, “The Perfect Pair” has deeper and quite heartbreaking undertones. I find the track name to be pretty clever and ironic, since it’s about the realization that a negative trait you see in someone can be seen in yourself too, hence the name of the track.
Track 8: “Talk”
“Talk” is also one of the most popular songs on the album. Like “10:36,” this track is one I’d put on blast. It’s messy, but so well put together. “Talk” consists of a blaring, grungy electric guitar with heavy drums throughout. “Talk” explores the idea of impulsivity and making decisions you know are wrong, but you make them anyway. The song puts out the message of “It’s not that deep,” which is what I love about it.
Track 9: “Lovesong”
Another sweet and gentle track, “Lovesong” is about the overwhelming feeling of love. Laus represents how love can occupy one’s mind with the lyrics, “I missed the train again / I called your name as if you’d drive it back.” When you’re in love, oftentimes the person you love is all you can think about, and it happens without realization.”Lovesong” feels really intimate and gives me a nostalgic feeling. Once again, this song is filled with the tender playing of an acoustic guitar, occasional sounds of a tambourine, and the strong but soft leading vocals.
Track 12: “Don’t Get the Deal”
This track is one that I think is underrated and one that I keep to myself. Listening to this track for the first time had me captivated by the electric guitar riff as well as the heavy drums. The vocals were led by Laus as well as her guitarist, Jacob Bugden; these vocals almost acted as a call and response between Laus and Bugden. This composition was one that impressed me all the way through, and the lyrics are, in fact, catchy in a way that makes you want to dance. This track symbolizes a relationship that is codependent and has lost its spark. Despite not being the best person for the other, the relationship doesn’t end.
Based on the meaning of these tracks on the album, I give it a rating of 10/10. The themes that are explored throughout a few of these tracks are consistent and are conveyed artistically. On the basis of instrumental composition, I give a rating of 10/10. Most of these tracks either used an electric or acoustic guitar combined with other instruments such as a tambourine or a violin, which created tuneful compositions. Lastly, with the moods that each track gives off, I give a rating of 9/10. Despite each song being unpredictable, Laus finds the right balance. Listening to this album is really one of a kind, and I recommend it to those who love indie-rock. Beatopia remains an impactful and profound album full of emotions, from the lows to the highs, and anywhere in between.
