Beach Baby – No Mind No Money

A charming and addictive debut album...

Upon the seventh listen of Beach Baby’s debut album ‘No Mind No Money’, the weather outside is miserable and grey. It’s a stark contrast to the past few days of blazing sunshine which has suited the laid back, soft yet cool rock vibe of this record perfectly. Soon though it becomes apparent that this sonic package, that actually makes me contemplate picking up a surfboard and heading to the coast despite my mediocre swimming abilities, transpires to be just as dreamy in awfully gloomy weather too. It has a knack for bringing that careless feeling and subtle warmth occupied by sunny summer days to even the dreariest of rooms.

Opener ‘Limousine’ is the first but not the only track on the LP to possess a bassline funkier than the floral shirts on display by the band in the music video for this particular song. On reflection it’s a suitable introduction indeed. Previous single ‘Sleeperhead’ is the band’s ode to the simpler things in life, “Wish I was a sleeperhead/I’d be well rested and I’d be well fed”. Displaying those aforementioned grooving basslines, which form the basis of Beach Baby’s USP, the song is one cup of overpriced cider away from reaching festival sing-a-long territory next summer.

A specific highlight from the eleven tracks is ‘U R’, which again has been a prior release. Throughout the record effervescent hints of sparkling synths laced between indie guitars replicate a light and fresh atmosphere, plus a comfort in listening, and it’s something that bleeds through to the forefront of this tune faultlessly.

‘How Lucky You Are’ draws the record to a close with a dejected tone and lyrics imitating a slap in the face (even after the seventh listen), “I’m moving on to the next/I hope you do not mind when I leave you behind.” It’s not what we’re used to from the quartet, but it’s affirming to see them tackling a slight change of musical direction with a sense of brutality in their lyrics.

‘No Mind No Money’ is one of those records which has the potential to evoke mass sing-a-long’s but is versatile enough to still be enjoyed in less boisterous settings – all whilst radiating a captivating warmth and comfort which ultimately will keep you coming back for more.

7/10

Words: Shannon Cotton

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