Once Twice Melody

Following the release of the band's seventh studio album 7 (2018), which received critical acclaim, the band began recording their next album at Apple Orchard Studio in Baltimore.{{cite web|url=https://beachhouse.bandcamp.com/album/once-twice-melody|title=Once Twice Melody {{!}} Beach House|website=Bandcamp|access-date=November 10, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109232451/https://beachhouse.bandcamp.com/album/once-twice-melody|url-status=live}} It was then announced in February 2021 that they would contribute to arts company Meow Wolf's interactive exhibition Omega Mart, releasing a short film titled "Marin's Dreams" on April 22, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |date=April 22, 2021 |title=Beach House Soundtrack New Meow Wolf Short Film 'Marin's Dreams': Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/beach-house-soundtrack-new-meow-wolf-short-film-marins-dream-watch/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=Pitchfork }} In the same month, the band revealed to Rolling Stone that they were thinking of working on their eighth album, adding that they would "like to get there".{{Cite magazine |last=Vozick-Levinson |first=Simon |date=April 22, 2021 |title=Beach House's Psychedelic Soundtrack for Meow Wolf's Omega Mart Drops |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beach-house-meow-wolf-las-vegas-video-1156925/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone }} In a September 2021 interview with 101.9 KINK FM, the band revealed that they were working on their album during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that it would be released in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=September 29, 2021 |title=Beach House confirm new album is coming in 2022 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/beach-house-confirm-new-album-is-coming-in-2022-3058470 |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=NME }} On November 9, 2021, the band announced the album as Once Twice Melody, and stated that it would be released in four chapters throughout four months.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beach-house-once-twice-melody-announcement-1255274/|title=Beach House to Release Eighth Studio Album 'Once Twice Melody,' Headline 2022 World Tour|last=Paul|first=Larisha|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 9, 2021|access-date=November 10, 2021|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110012718/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beach-house-once-twice-melody-announcement-1255274/|url-status=live}}

Once Twice Melody is a double album, with its material being described as dream pop, neo-psychedelia{{Cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/beach-house-share-once-twice-melody-chapter-3-stream-5-new-songs/|title=Beach House share 'Once Twice Melody' Chapter 3 (stream 5 new songs)|first=Bill|last=Pearis|website=BrooklynVegan|date=19 January 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225050027/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/beach-house-share-once-twice-melody-chapter-3-stream-5-new-songs/|url-status=live}} and chamber pop. Throughout the album, there are tracks without live drums, electronic songs without guitar, and "wandering and repetitive melodies", as described by Beach House; additionally, it is their first album where a live string ensemble was used and the first to be produced entirely by the band. Split into four chapters, the band's lead vocalist Victoria Legrand explained to Consequence that there is not a "right" way to listen to the album, adding that "you can just get lost [in the album] how you want to".{{Cite magazine |last=Ragusa |first=Paolo |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Beach House Interview: Duo Talks Once Twice Melody |url=https://consequence.net/2022/02/beach-house-interview-once-twice-melody/2/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |magazine=Consequence }} "Runaway" uses a vocoder throughout the song and "Only You Know" is a shoegaze track, while "Masquerade" and "Finale" have been described as "'80s synth-pop" tracks.

The first chapter for Once Twice Melody, Pink Funeral, was released on November 10, 2021, with the title track being released as its lead single on the same day.{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=November 10, 2021 |title=Listen to Beach House's 4 New Songs From Once Twice Melody |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-beach-houses-4-new-songs-from-once-twice-melody/ |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203112952/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-beach-houses-4-new-songs-from-once-twice-melody/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/beach-house-once-twice-melody/|title=Beach House: Once Twice Melody Track Review|website=Pitchfork.com|last=Santiago|first=Gio|date=November 10, 2021|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228195033/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/beach-house-once-twice-melody/|url-status=live}} Its second chapter, New Romance, was released on December 8, 2021,{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=December 8, 2021 |title=Listen to four new songs from Beach House's 'Once Twice Melody' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-four-new-songs-from-beach-houses-once-twice-melody-3113743 |access-date=December 8, 2021 |website=NME |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208075632/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-four-new-songs-from-beach-houses-once-twice-melody-3113743 |url-status=live }} with the third chapter, Masquerade, being released on January 19, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=January 19, 2022 |title=Beach House Shares Five Songs from Upcoming Album 'Once Twice Melody' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beach-house-chapter-three-once-twice-melody-1287057/ |access-date=January 19, 2022 |website=NME |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119133620/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beach-house-chapter-three-once-twice-melody-1287057/ |url-status=live }} "Hurts to Love" was surprised released as a standalone single on February 14, 2022, to coincide with Valentine's Day, making it the album's second single.{{Cite tweet |number=1493376666936225792 |user=BeaccchHoussse |title=Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, whether in or out of love…https://youtu.be/N2N5ohmzo3k The Last chapter of Once Twice Melody is out Friday, but we felt we should have this song come out today….. |date=February 14, 2022 |access-date=February 15, 2022}} Once Twice Melody was released in full for digital download and streaming, with the addition of cassette, CD and LP releases, on February 18, 2022, through Sub Pop and Bella Union{{cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=November 9, 2021|title=Beach House Announce New Album Once Twice Melody and 2022 Tour|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/beach-house-announce-new-album-once-twice-melody-and-2022-tour/|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=Pitchfork|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109232437/https://pitchfork.com/news/beach-house-announce-new-album-once-twice-melody-and-2022-tour/|url-status=live}} Lyric animations for each song were also uploaded onto YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/beach-house-announce-new-album-once-twice-melody-and-spring-uk-tour-3091158|title=Beach House announce new album 'Once Twice Melody' and spring UK tour|last=Lavin|first=Will|website=NME|date=November 9, 2021|access-date=November 10, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109233614/https://www.nme.com/news/music/beach-house-announce-new-album-once-twice-melody-and-spring-uk-tour-3091158|url-status=live}}

Once Twice Melody debuted atop the US Billboard Top Album Sales chart, with 20,300 copies sold in its first week; in addition it debuted atop the US Top Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums and Top Vinyl Albums charts.{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Beach House Scores First No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beach-house-first-number-1-top-album-sales-chart-1235037605/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |magazine=Billboard }} It also debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 album chart with 24,000 album-equivalent units, adding their fourth top-20 entry on the chart.{{Cite magazine |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=March 2, 2022 |title=Beach House Scores Second No. 1 on Top Rock & Alternative Album Charts |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/beach-house-top-rock-alternative-album-charts-once-twice-melody/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |magazine=Billboard }} "Superstar" was later sent to US radio on April 4, 2022, as its third single, while the title track peaked at number 15 on the US Adult Alternative Airplay chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|title=Triple A Future Releases|website=AllAccess|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403123746/https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|archive-date=April 3, 2022|access-date=February 11, 2024}} The band performed the former on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 20, 2022.{{Cite magazine |last=Graves |first=Wren |date=May 20, 2022 |title=Beach House Float Through 'Superstar' on Colbert: Watch |url=https://consequence.net/2022/05/beach-house-superstar-colbert-watch/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |magazine=Consequence }} To support the album, the band embarked the Once Twice Melody tour, which began on February 18, 2022, in Pittsburgh and ended on July 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C..{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2166642/beach-house-new-album-once-twice-melody-tour-dates/news/|title=Beach House Announce New Album Once Twice Melody & 2022 Tour Dates|last=Rettig|first=James|website=Stereogum|date=November 9, 2021|access-date=November 10, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109232409/https://www.stereogum.com/2166642/beach-house-new-album-once-twice-melody-tour-dates/news/|url-status=live}}

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 7.8/10{{Cite web|title=Once Twice Melody by Beach House reviews|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/13165/Beach-House-Once-Twice-Melody.aspx|access-date=February 17, 2022|website=AnyDecentMusic?|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217022009/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/13165/Beach-House-Once-Twice-Melody.aspx|url-status=live}}

| MC =84/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/once-twice-melody/beach-house|title=Once Twice Melody by Beach House Reviews and Tracks|work=Metacritic|access-date=February 17, 2022|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216222105/https://www.metacritic.com/music/once-twice-melody/beach-house|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Phares |first=Heather |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Once Twice Melody - Beach House {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/once-twice-melody-mw0003612674 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=AllMusic |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218153928/https://www.allmusic.com/album/once-twice-melody-mw0003612674 |url-status=live }}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2score = B+{{Cite web |last=Tenreyro |first=Tatiana |date=February 16, 2022 |title=Beach House spreads some of its most impressive work across the four chapters of Once Twice Melody |url=https://www.avclub.com/beach-house-once-twice-melody-review-1848449285 |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club |archive-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216170501/https://www.avclub.com/beach-house-once-twice-melody-review-1848449285 |url-status=live }}

| rev3 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=James |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Beach House, Once Twice Melody, review: an epic, dreamy journey from heartbreak to redemption |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/beach-house-twice-melody-review-apic-dreamy-journey-heartbreak/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220217183424/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/beach-house-twice-melody-review-apic-dreamy-journey-heartbreak/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022}}

| rev4 = Exclaim!

| rev4score = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Kaelen |date=February 16, 2022 |title=Beach House's 'Once Twice Melody' Is Not Quite Enough and Just a Bit Too Much |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/beach_house_once_twice_melody_album_review |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=Exclaim! |archive-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216225348/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/beach_house_once_twice_melody_album_review |url-status=live }}

| rev5 = The Line of Best Fit

| rev5score = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Jay |date=February 17, 2022 | access-date=February 2, 2024 |title=A decade since their magnum opus, Beach House continue elevating their artistry on Once Twice Melody {{!}} Pop |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/beach-house-once-twice-melody-album-review |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}

| rev6 = Mojo

| rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine |last=Chick |first=Stevie |date=March 2022 |title=Beach House – Once Twice Melody: Baltimore duo transcend dream-pop with 18 tracks of mesmerising digital psychedelia. |magazine=Mojo |issue=340 |page=83}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=El |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Beach House – 'Once Twice Melody' review: surrealist dream-poppers turn the page |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/beach-house-once-twice-melody-album-review-3162335 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=NME |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218125943/https://www.nme.com/reviews/beach-house-once-twice-melody-album-review-3162335 |url-status=live }}

| rev8 = Paste

| rev8score = 8.4/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/beach-house/once-twice-melody-album-review|title=Beach House Make Their Grandest Statement Yet with Once Twice Melody|first=Johnson|last=Ellen|date=February 14, 2022|website=Paste|access-date=July 4, 2025}}

| rev9 = Pitchfork

| rev9score = 7.8/10{{cite news |last=Sherburne |first=Philip |title=Beach House: Once Twice Melody Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/beach-house-once-twice-melody/ |access-date=February 17, 2022 |work=Pitchfork |date=February 17, 2022 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217051112/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/beach-house-once-twice-melody/ |url-status=live }}

| rev10 = Uncut

| rev10score = 8/10{{Cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Jason |date=March 2022 |title=Beach House – Once Twice Melody: Baltimore duo's dream-pop swells to new proportions on masterful eighth album. |magazine=Uncut |issue=298 |page=33}}

}}

Once Twice Melody was released to universal acclaim from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 84, based on 22 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim". Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.8 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Heather Phares claimed that, "Though Once Twice Melody is unapologetically lush even by Beach House's standards, the duo uses space creatively to express the beauty in sadness." Stevie Chick of Mojo called it the band's "grandest vision yet", praising the "impassive beauty" of Legrand's vocals and comparing them to "'O Superman'-era Laurie Anderson serenades, or as if someone programmed AI to sing like Judee Sill." Jason Anderson of Uncut commended the "stunning" cinematic quality of the first chapter and praised the album's "unexpected elements" for deftly counterbalancing the "grandeur and glamour from becoming sickly sweet." Uncut concluded that the album's "greatness lies not in its hugeness – it's in the duo's ability to create music that possesses the same intimacy regardless of its scope."

{{Track listing

| headline = Chapter 1. Pink Funeral

| all_writing = Beach House.

| title1 = Once Twice Melody

| length1 = 4:44

| title2 = Superstar

| length2 = 6:08

| title3 = Pink Funeral

| length3 = 4:56

| title4 = Through Me

| length4 = 5:48

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Chapter 2. New Romance

| title5 = Runaway

| length5 = 4:23

| title6 = ESP

| length6 = 3:48

| title7 = New Romance

| length7 = 4:12

| title8 = Over and Over

| length8 = 7:11

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Chapter 3. Masquerade

| title9 = Sunset

| length9 = 3:59

| title10 = Only You Know

| length10 = 4:49

| title11 = Another Go Around

| length11 = 3:41

| title12 = Masquerade

| length12 = 4:42

| title13 = Illusion of Forever

| length13 = 3:49

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Chapter 4. Modern Love Stories

| title14 = Finale

| length14 = 4:34

| title15 = The Bells

| length15 = 4:30

| title16 = Hurts to Love

| length16 = 4:05

| title17 = Many Nights

| length17 = 4:16

| title18 = Modern Love Stories

| length18 = 4:53

| total_length = 84:28

}}

• Beach House – arrangement, performance; production, engineering; art direction
• Victoria Legrand
• Alex Scally
• James Barone
• James Barone – live drums (writing, performance)
• Michael Scally – guitar solo (3)
• Wheatie Mattiasich – additional vocals (9)
• Rebecca Morrin – additional vocals (9)
• David Campbell – live strings arrangement
• Nick Tveitbakk – live drums engineering (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12–14, 18)
• Trevor Spencer – live drums engineering (2–4, 6–9, 11), mixing (5, 11)
• Gabe Burch – live strings engineering
• Travis Warner – live strings engineering
• Johnny Morgan – assistant live drums engineering (2–4, 6–9, 11)
• Alan Moulder – mixing (1–4, 6–8, 10, 12, 16, 18)
• Caesar Edmunds – mixing (9, 13, 15, 17)
• Dave Fridmann – mixing (14)
• Mike Fridmann – assistant mixing (14)
• Greg Calbi – mastering
• Steve Fallone – mastering
• Jeff Kleinsmith – art direction, design
• Nicholas Law – inside heart art

{{reflist}}

{{Beach House}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2022 albums

Category:Beach House albums

Category:Sub Pop albums

Category:Chamber pop albums

Category:Neo-psychedelia albums

Category:Psychedelic music albums by American artists