For me, lyrics have always cut through the clatter. Artists manage to just slot their words into the very reality you find yourself living in. And with Pylon, Beatrice Laus, aka Beabadoobee, does just that, churning out a 14-song record that captures an entire spectrum of emotion we’ve undoubtedly all felt.
Connection is a rhetoric that’s spelt out from the very beginning. Album opener and namesake ‘Pylon’ explores the power of how important genuine human connection is in the modern day, doing so in a way that feels poignant without pretension: “hold me like a screen, disconnected from reality.” It also sets out a precedent for luscious yet driven soundscapes which evolve through the collisions of acoustic and electric. There’s this lovely sort of rustic 90s alt twang that makes itself at home from this point on.
There’s also this confidence that crawls into each track, both thematically and musically. Compare it to, say, early albums and be met with an artist whose manifesto leans into grittier endeavours. It makes an already enjoyable discography just that bit more interesting.
This is an artist who is not afraid to tap into introspection. Lyrics almost feel like an all-bearing conversation with a close friend. Take, for instance, ‘Sun Has Set,’ which grapples with the angst of a crumbling relationship: “you can never run back to me now/the sun has set.” Or ‘Memories,’ which treasures living in the moment: “When I’m with you, don’t feel the need to feel removed”. For me, it all relates to that connection. These are natural reactions to common situations. And whilst we don’t share the same day, we can tap into these lyrics and greet them with open arms.
Within 40 minutes, Beabadoobee tears her own rule book apart. Moving on from what’s gone before, we see her evolve as an artist. Lyrically, the depth has expanded, and musically, there are layers that simply elevate it all. For longtime fans, you’ve got everything you’d want for a Beabadoobee album. And for new fans? You’ve got just that bit more to sink your teeth into.
