Review Summary: A delicately delivered album with a soothing presence.
My favorite thing about music the vast majority of music styles that a person can listen to and dig it. I like to claim myself as a hardcore kid but I can listen to a Ke$ha song and be just as into that as I can with a song from Blackisted. Today I found yet another non-hardcore presence of music that I enjoyed immediately. Meet Be Forest, an indiepop/post-rock pop band that preys on listeners with soft progressions and soothing melodies. Their newest album, 'Earthbeat' is a perfect representation of this. The only things I can compare the style of music too is early Kye Kye, or maybe within the realm of Local Natives, with a swirling atmosphere and intricate instrumentation all around.
The album begins with a quiet instrumental entitled 'Totem'. The song shines light on the light percussion but strong guitar based instruments creating a simple dynamic. The vocal performance in 'Captured Heart' and every other songs adds to the texture with an airy performance. The entirety of equation creates a space of music that sets a comforting mood. Various flutes parallel the tranquilizing performance of the rest of the band. The band even makes use of xylophones throughout the album. This creativity really stuck with me while listening to all nine tracks of this record.
The title 'Earthbeat' is a perfect word to define how this album plays. The qualities of the music are representations of how people perceive nature, as the calming getaway from the hectic and busy industrial cities, towns, and even everyday life. I am not trying to take any complexities out of the music, because the arrangements of all the instruments are done to perfection, it sounds effortless. Take the song 'Airwaves' for example. The drum pattern is upbeat, and the guitars start off circling around the mix and progress into a delicate mix of notes. Other instruments join, vibrating the song while the vocals are softly expanding their range. This dynamic is what makes this album so addicting.
Never is there one instrument that outdoes the other. They all stay within their realm that creates a united jigsaw puzzle. Tones of different tracks also have separate moods. While 'Totem' is more somber, 'Totem II' sounds more joyous. The closing track 'Hideaway' swells into an elaborate song again highlighting the ability to involve a plethora of instruments. The snare rolls are off-paced and more sporadic, the guitars are echoing, and the vocals are more firm, holding the mix together. 'Earthbeat' overall is a delicate mix of harmonies within nine beautifully crafted tracks.
