Beabadoobee’s debut album wouldn’t sound out of place as the soundtrack to a late 90s/early 00s coming-of-age movie; a jukebox musical of a young woman’s life practically writes itself as the album unfolds.
A combination of grungy guitars and Beabadoobee (Bea Kristi)’s soft, sweet vocals often accompany darker topics, including heartbreak, self-harm, and regret. Painfully honest, no-frills lyrics prove that the 20 year old isn’t afraid to say it how it is and be truly vulnerable with her audience.
Fake It Flowers opens with lead single ‘Care’, a punchy pop song with a sing (or shout) along chorus that establishes the sound of the album, firmly rooted in 90s grunge and pop. Described by Kristi as a ‘female record’, the album includes heavier sounding tracks alongside stripped back acoustic numbers, showcasing the artist’s range and strength of writing.
The contrast between the subject matter and the overall sound of each song makes the album an interesting listen. It’s easy to sing along and be carried away by the music without realising the significance of the lyrics, making it enjoyable on more than one level.
‘Dye It Red’s lyrics inspire a feeling of strength and independence and discuss how refreshing change can be, while the breezy-sounding ‘Worth It’ talks about infidelity in a relationship.
‘Horen Sarrison’ (named for Kristi’s boyfriend, Soren Harrison) is an upbeat confession of love, with delicate strings complementing her vocals; ‘How Was Your Day’ was recorded on a four-track cassette recorder in Harrison’s garden during lockdown, the raw sound combined with the acoustic guitar creating a dreamy moment in an otherwise punchy album.
Kristi has been recording music since 2017; Fake It Flowers comes after a string of EPs and singles, and maintains the singer’s open, direct style and recognisable vocals while addressing some more mature subjects – the combination works beautifully to create a memorable album with a song for every mood.
Following on from supporting Clairo and The 1975 on tour (she is signed to The 1975’s record label, Dirty Hit), Beabadoobee is set to embark on her first UK and Ireland solo tour in autumn of 2021, including dates in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Fake it Flowers is out 16th October 2020
This article was first published in the October 2020 issue of SNACK magazine. You can read the full magazine below on your smartphone, tablet, or pc.
