In July of 2022, beabadoobee released her second studio album ‘Beatopia’. Its maximalist ideals could be seen throughout it from sound, to lyrics, to album cover. The concept was driven by an imaginary world she’d created as a child–the whole project being an ode to her youth.
Two years later–on Aug. 9th of this year–she released her third studio album ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves’. The album has a much more subdued, grounded sound compared to Beatopia, the album cover containing nothing but a picture of herself against a sky-blue background. She spoke about how this album is more mature and clear compared to her earlier work saying “I feel like it’s helped me so much more than anything else has in navigating this new era, this new understanding of where I’m at. I guess it’s about becoming a woman”.
This theme of maturing is prevalent throughout the album, in both style and songwriting. In terms of songwriting, beabadoobee covers the most vulnerable emotions a young woman can experience. She sings about her frustrations in unfulfilling relationships on the songs “One Time” and “Real Man”, as well as the strain tour has had on her relationship with boyfriend Jake Erland on the songs “California” and “Coming Home”. She also speaks lovingly about her relationship in the ballad “Ever Seen”, showing the audience that love is still possible despite inevitable friction.
In “Girl Song”, beabadoobee explores her relationship with herself and her insecurities, opening up about her disappointment in herself and the cycle of negativity she finds herself stuck in. She also explores her relationship with her family on the songs “Tie My Shoes” and “The Man Who Left Too Soon”. Over the years, beabadoobee has spoken about her difficult upbringing; she explores her relationship with her father further in the song “Tie My Shoes”. She said, “This song essentially is just me saying I never want to put my hopes up for something because I’m scared I’m going to be disappointed”. In the song “The Man Who Left Too Soon”, beabadoobee sings from the perspective of someone who has lost their father. She drew inspiration from the passing of her boyfriend’s father, hoping to touch people who’ve experienced the same. Throughout the album, beabadoobee pushes the idea that growth happens from making mistakes, and that maturity comes from owning up to them.
Stylistically, beabadoobee draws inspiration from many places, most notably indie folk reminiscent of Elliot Smith, Fiona Apple, and Pinegrove on songs like “Take A Bite” and “This Is How It Went”. She also revisits bossa nova on the song “A Cruel Affair”, similar to her hit with Laufey “A Night To Remember”. She leans into this jazzy inspiration on the song “Real Man” which she slathered in a coy, Betty Boop-esque energy. She also brings back an edgier sound on the song “Post”, a sound known fondly by her fans as ‘rockstar Bea’. The variation in sound throughout the album as well as her distancing herself from the bedroom pop she is known for fits in nicely with the theme of growth the album is based on. Drawing inspiration from more nostalgic sounds like indie folk and bossa nova allows beabadoobee to step into the more mature version of herself that she is forging in this new era.
This album is beautifully written and does its influences justice on so many levels. Beabadoobee has refined her sound through this album and shown her audience her growth, not only as an artist but as a person as well. You can listen to This Is How Tomorrow Moves on Spotify and Apple Music.
