REVIEW BY CLAIRE WILKINSON
RELEASED ON JULY 15TH 2022 VIA DIRTY HITS RECORDS
“It’s Easy To See How She Has Attracted A Horde Of Fans Along With 4.6 Billion Streams Worldwide And 3 Million Social Media Followers”
Beatopia is the second studio album by Filipino-British singer songwriter beabadoobee (also known as Bea Kristi). It will be released under the independent label Dirty Hit on July 15 2022, and is a follow-up to her debut album, ‘Fake It Flowers’.
From the opening track, I felt instantly drawn into this album. The background melody of Beatopia Cultsong created a hypnotic depth to the song, followed by a chant – which I can imagine Bea using to tap into her Beatopia universe. After initially being unsure what to expect from this album (after missing her first album), this track left me feeling intrigued to hear more.
The sound throughout the album is upbeat, with catchy melodies and bubbly,’ 90s-inspired instrumentals. Her songwriting is honest and relatable, and it’s easy to see how she has attracted a horde of fans along with 4.6 billion streams worldwide and 3 million social media followers.
Her most recent single release from the album, Lovesong, has been self-described by Bea as a “cute love ballad”. This song showcases an acoustic melody elevated with stirring horns and gentle spaced-out piano twinkles. It’s floaty, delicate and shows a more intimate side to the artist. Alongside previous singles ‘Talk’ and ‘See You Soon’, ‘Lovesong’ is another taste of beabadoobee’s diversity and experimental nature.
When speaking to NME about the album, the musician commented on being able to process life events through her songs. “When you write songs [about them] it’s a positive outcome, especially when you’re writing about something that wasn’t necessarily positive.”
Other highlights from the album include ‘See You Soon’, which has a nostalgic feel with an uplifting chorus which is instantly motivating. While ‘Sunny day’ is a more relaxing and thoughtful song with an easy, acoustic sound. I’ll be amazed if this song doesn’t appear in this year’s series of Love Island. This album also features a collaboration with PinkPantheress will feature on the track, ‘Tinkerbell is Overrated’.
As a follow-up to the album, beabadoobee has also announced her biggest UK and Ireland headline tour to date in October, kicking off in Dublin and finishing up at London’s 02 Brixton Academy.
7.5/10
TOUR DATES
4 October 2022 – Olympia Theatre, Dublin
5 October 2022 – Ulster Hall, Belfast
7 October 2022 – O2 Academy, Bristol
8 October 2022 – UEA, Norwich
10 October 2022 – Rock City, Nottingham
11 October 2022 – NX, Newcastle
13 October 2022 – Manchester Academy, Manchester
14 October 2022 – Foundry, Sheffield
17 October 2022 – Chalk, Brighton
18 October 2022 – Engine Rooms, Southampton
19 October 2022 – O2 Brixton Academy – London
Tickets available from HERE
BEATOPIA TRACKLIST
1. Beatopia Cultsong
2. 10:36
3. Sunny day
4. See you Soon
5. Ripples
6. the perfect pair
7. broken cd
8. Talk
9. Lovesong
10. Pictures of Us
11. fairy song
12. Don’t get the deal
13. tinkerbell is overrated (feat. PinkPantheress)
14. You’re here that’s the thing
FOLLOW BEABADOOBIE
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
