BECK - COLORS
Release Date: 10/13/17
Rating: 6/7
WOW! It’s a new Beck album.
Beck is cooler than any of us could ever hope to be, and continues to amaze everyone with his indescribably wacky genre jumps. He is hands down the most diverse artist I’ve heard, and can seamlessly jump from folk, to funk, to “hip hop”, and now, with his newest album, takes part in the pop movement. Whether you know him as “that two turntables and a microphone guy”, or are a close follower of Beck’s music, you will enjoy Colors and be able to jam to it on the bus, on a beach, or anywhere you want to bless your eardrums.
Colors features 11 songs and 45 minutes of continuous energy.
“Wow” was released as a single in the summer of 2016, and I distinctly remember listening to it nonstop on my first visit to Indiana University. After listening to Morning Phase, I was shocked that this was Beck’s next step, but the song grew on me and was constantly stuck in my head. The beat is insanely catchy and combines synth pop and some slight rapping.
Stand out tracks on this album are definitely "Dear Life", "Up All Night", and "Dreams". "Dear Life" gives off strong Beatles vibes and has upbeat sunshiny piano riffs. This song stands out to me because it combines so many genres into one to create a mesmerizing sound. "Dreams" was released as a single in 2015, far in advance before the release of the full album. Colors features two versions of the song, including a “Color’s Mix”.
“I’m So Free” is my personal favorite because of the strong chorus with heavy guitar influence. I also like the message it sends about doing what you want and walking to your own beat.
The record only slows down for the song “Fix Me”, which has a longing chorus that repeats “I want you, I want you”. This is one of the more meaningful songs on the album, and concludes with the thought provoking outro that repeats “I’m set free”.
There is not one song on this album that I disliked, and it was difficult not to get up and dance to each track. Beck has done it again, providing listeners with a feel good album that is unlike any other.
After listening to the whole album, I hope Beck isn’t fully transitioning to becoming a mainstream pop artist, but rather exploring his “Beck-ness” and conquering yet another genre.
