ALBUM REVIEW
20/08/2024 - BEABADOOBEE, THIS IS HOW TOMORROW MOVES
Source: Beabadoobee Album Imagery for This Is How Tomorrow Moves
Words By Emily Jade Ricalton
Emerging in 2017 with her breakout hit Coffee, Beatrice Laus, more commonly known as Beabadoobee, set the scene for set the scene for emerging Gen-Z talent. Rising to fame at just 17 years old, this indie singer received major online attention with her debut track. The song went viral on both YouTube and TikTok - platforms that are more commonly associated with popular artists nowadays. Signing with Dirty Hit Records just after the mainstream attraction of Coffee, Laus has paved the way for emerging female artists.
Born in the Philippines and raised in West London, Beatrice captures youth, especially within a female perspective, in the progression of her three albums. Fake It Flowers, Laus’s debut album released in 2020, explores an adolescent perspective on music with a bedroom sound. This is in contrast to her follow-up album Beatopia, released in 2022, that was very happy-go-lucky and showed a daydreamer side to Laus’s music. With this, This is How Tomorrow Moves creates a raw and realistic outlook on life as a young woman.
As stated by Beabadoobee in a recent interview with The Guardian, Fake It Flowers and Beatopia saw her “blaming everyone around me for the way I am today”. Whereas, This Is How Tomorrow Moves sees Laus “acknowledging [her] own fault in it”. This Is How Tomorrow Moves is a step into womanhood and a mature progression from Beabadoobee’s previous music
Beginning the album with the first released single Take A Bite, Laus transports us into a world of surf rock. Reminiscent of slower tracks featured on The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ By The Way, Take A Bite is the perfect introduction to this album. With lyrics, such as ‘I wanted to see the world in colour’ and ‘I think that I like to sit and wonder’, Laus establishes a newfound freedom a newfound freedom that comes with self-acceptance, self-growth, and, most importantly, age.
These themes of self-awareness are further seen in the second track California. Once again showing similarities to the Chili Peppers, especially in relation to their iconic track Californication, this song is the epitome of soft rock. With a romantic beat and mellow guitar, Laus sings ‘Won’t you call me a cab so I can get back?’. These lyrics give the listener an insight into the ever-changing industry of fame, one of which can be detrimental and tiring. There is an element of reluctance to these lyrics. It is almost as if Laus is longing for a sense of normality and peace while also exposing the harsh realities of becoming a young popstar.
From here, the album progresses into tracks that explore love - a theme that tends to be on any young woman’s mind. Relatable and melancholy, both One Time and Real Man indicate the harsh realities of dating within the modern day. Heartbreaking yet factual, the lyrics ‘I told my mother what you did’ and ‘guess I’m used to being disappointed’ show a sensitive side to Laus’s songwriting. These songs are raw and truthful making them distinct pieces from the album as a whole.
With this, the next few tracks are equally emotional. A personal favourite of mine, Tie My Shoes is short, but sweet. This song has a nostalgic perspective that reflects upon parental relationships. With a soft guitar, this song is pure and sensitive. Similar to this, Ever Seen has a subtle sound that makes the tracks easy to listen to. Relaxing and tranquil, this song is the perfect love track. With lyrics like ‘the highest I think I’ve ever been’ and ‘said I had the prettiest eyes he’d ever seen’, Ever Seen gives an accurate insight into the feelings of falling in love.
Breaking away from the slow, yet romantic tracks of this album, Post is a standout track. With a heavier guitar and upbeat sound, this song can easily be compared to the grunge sounds of the nineties. Similar to the likes of Garbage and Hole, this track is experimental and provides an interesting break from the remainder of the album. It’s a refreshing piece that highlights the development of Beatrice’s music over the years.
When asked what her new album would be if it were a movie during an interview with Pigeons & Planes, Beatrice Laus compares this piece to a coming of age film. She couldn’t be more right. Whilst exploring themes of love, self-acceptance and most importantly personal growth, this album gives insight into the mind of a young woman. It is relatable, confident, yet self-assuring. Not only does it show Beabadoobee’s strength as an artist, but it also features beautifully constructed lyrics that are sympathetic, yet inspiring. This is an album to listen to and one that will hold a lot of comfort in years to come for fans of this artist.
Beabadoobee will be going on tour in the UK throughout November. See below for dates.
Standout Tracks - Real Man, Tie My Shoes, Post, Beaches
Rating - 4/5
UK TOUR NOVEMBER
Mon 11 Glasgow O2 Academy
Tue 12 Sheffield Octagon Centre
Wed 13 Newcastle O2 City Hall
Fri 15 Birmingham O2 Academy
Sat 16 Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
Sun 17 Leeds O2 Academy
Tue 19 Brighton Dome
Wed 20 Bristol Beacon
Thu 21 London Alexandra Palace
Buy Tickets Here
