BEABADOOBEE
Beatopia (Dirty Hit)
Beatopia is the second album from Philippines-born Londoner Bea Kristi, aka Beabadoobee. Hailed as a luminary for Gen Z after her widely-acclaimed debut, the secret to her success is making music that’s at once nostalgic and current: raiding the jangling hooks, echoing soundscapes and grungy riffs of 90s alt-rock to sieve through her own patchwork prism of wistful urgency.
Beatopia is, accordingly, a singular vision of shimmering indie-pop while also soundtracking every time you lay on your bed as a teenager both anxious and content with nothing yet everything to do. A youth icon she may be, but Beabadoobee’s ingenuity and honesty transcends demographics. After tinkling opener Beatopia Cultsong – sounding like an orchestra warming up before a symphony – the album is a little slow to pick up, but once the unexpectedly bossa nova-esque The Perfect Pair kicks in, it’s a steady stream of melted gold: warm, rich, gleaming and perfect for summer.
words HANNAH COLLINS
APPLICATIONS for spring term 22 are now Closed: If you’re 18-30, live in Wales, and want to get ahead in the creative and cultural industries, express your interest for autumn term.
