Declan McKenna makes his long-awaited return with ‘What Happened to the Beach?’
The indie superstar graces us with his first album in 4 years.
Photo: Press
Since releasing his debut album What Do You Think About The Car? in 2017, Declan McKenna has since been greeted by a loyal fanbase, indie royalty status, and the rightful place as a TikTok sensation with his single Brazil. What Happened to the Beach? appears to extend this success as it provides a captivatingly exciting run of tracks.
Opening the album, WOBBLE welcomes us to the enchanting world Declan has created with his third album. Beginning with raw vocals and guitar strums, the track gradually builds; acting as the perfect entrance to the record. As McKenna muses on how “life’s really changing” it is clear that this album is an experimentation of the new, which immediately injects it with a refreshing sense of intrigue.
Continuing with the same muted guitar strums that feature in the opener, Elevator Hum cements itself as the kick-starter for this album. The drum beat and McKenna’s vocals are wonderfully paired to foreground this album as a cohesive and thoroughly crafted work. Although taking on a more dream-esque approach than his previous albums, I Write The News serves as the return of McKenna’s clever social commentary’s seen in his previous tracks such as Listen To Your Friends and British Bombs. Recent comparisons to Paul McCartney that have circulated TikTok conversations since McKenna’s cover of ABBA’s Slipping Through My Fingers are particularly evident. McKenna adopts a Beatle-esque style; impressively without the sense of mimicking, as he also fills the track with his own signature elements.
Despite initially being met with scepticism from many listeners, over time Sympathy has solidified its place as one of his most catchy songs to-date. Arriving as the first single from the album, the track has played the rounds over the summer; gaining spectacular reactions from audiences as the claps and building of drums are guaranteed to get crowds moving. The more intimate setting of his ‘secret set’ performance on the BBC introducing stage at Leeds Festival brought a new dimension to the track. As the leg of intimate album launch shows begin, it is exciting to see where Declan McKenna takes this song.
With Declan first referencing the song with a tweet reading “cosmic paper cups”, Mulholland’s Dinner and Wine places you in a fabulously ‘cosmic’ trance. It may only be February, but this track already places itself in contention for the song of the summer. Lyrics like “I found love for the little things in life” and the magical synths can’t help but remind you of driving along the coast with the windows down.
Breath of Light begins in the most unique way of all the tracks on the album, with spacey voice effects and erratic percussion; reminiscent of his space themed second album Zeros. The recurring line “I’m a cheesecake junkie in constant grief” is a prime example of McKenna’s clever lyricism which combines the absurdly playful with the sombre and provoking. This is followed by Nothing Works, the second single from What Happened to the Beach?. Declan McKenna might not be ‘up and coming’ anymore, but he certainly doesn’t lose our attention on this track. The interesting extension of his vocals on this album especially shine on Nothing Works, perfectly accompanying the fast pace musicality.
As Nothing Works fades out, we are greeted by the next attention capturing track – The Phantom Buzz (Kick In). The energising shouts that are interspersed with the captivating guitar inject the album with passion that are bound to translate exceptionally when played live. McKenna’s showstopping performances of his 2019 single British Bombs prove he has an electric stage presence, so it will be intriguing to see where he takes The Phantom Buzz (Kick In) on his upcoming headline tour.
Honest Test opens with a dreamy groove, reminiscent of similar indie artists such as Djo. Slowing the pace allows for reflection on lyrics such as “Cause all this gets me low, cause I feel for you”. Declan just seems to get how to write heartful lyrics in a unique and raw way. Honest Test smoothly leads into Mezzanine which picks the pace up with its catchy drum beat, and building vocals. As the track nears the end, it fades into the recurring dream state of previous tracks on the album; seamlessly fulfilling the albums cohesive nature.
The opening chord of the penultimate track It’s An Act melts you into McKenna’s distinctive vocals. This is a song where Declan McKenna does what he does best; provoking lyricism with instrumental sections which say just as much as the words do. 4 More Years artfully wraps up the record; continuing the dreamy mystery of the rest of the album.
What Happened to the Beach? is Declan McKenna at his most well crafted and creative. The record avoids the danger of monotony that some indie artists fall into, as he injects each song with unique personality; each offering a new mood and theme in lyricism. As McKenna sets out on an intimate album signing tour, followed by his main album tour which begins in March, I am nothing but excited to see where he takes this beautiful, and intricate album.
What Happened to the Beach? is out now via Tomplicated Records. Get your physical copy from Rough Trade here.