As the year is getting closer to ending and everyone’s looking at their Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay, I wanted to reminisce over the music released in 2022 and figure out what my personal top 2022 album would be.

It didn’t take me long to figure out “Once Twice Melody” was the winner.

My favorite dream-pop band, Beach House, released the final 5 songs from their 8th studio album “Once Twice Melody” in February this year.

The duo, consisting of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, began releasing chapters of 4-5 songs from the album every month since November of 2021.

I knew this album was going to be great because honestly, every Beach House project is top quality, but “Once Twice Melody” exceeded my already high expectations.

The opening song, titled after the album, starts out with a beautiful, what sounds like a harp-like melody that slides into cohesive sounds of acoustic guitars, drums, and synthesizers.

It sounds a lot like new beginnings and a fresh start. Very refreshing.

The intro encapsulates you into the song…but then Legrand’s deep but at the same time, angelic voice, slides in and somehow leads you in deeper.

Legrand has such an incredible one-of-a kind voice that puts you in a trance-like state throughout the album. Her vocals, along with the guitar and beautiful live string ensemble in the background, is a match made in heaven. She makes the lyrics ‘Ba da da da daaaa’ sound so majestic.

Apple Music tells me “Runaway” is one of my top songs of 2022 with 115 plays in total (and counting). Can you tell this is one of my favorite songs on the record or is it not obvious?

I have been addicted to it ever since I first laid my ears on it. The unique, electronic, and energetic intro beat fully draws me in.

I am obsessed with Legrand’s voice change, which gives a slight robotic effect throughout the course of the song.

The chorus is probably my favorite part though, with the echoes of the lyrics being soothing and dreamy, making me feel super nostalgic in the best way.

You know when you’re looking outside the window of a car and it’s also raining so you daydream like you’re in some overdramatic music video?

This is what “Runaway” and quite frankly the entire album does to me, but I love every second of it.

“New Romance” which has 90 plays from me (rookie numbers, honestly), is a work of art and if there was such a thing as a music gallery, it should be showcased in it.

Something I find interesting and absolutely love, is when Legrand sings, “F**k it,” which they have only sworn in a few songs before, but she sings is so elegantly and softly you almost don’t notice it.

Each song leads you through an adventure as you advance to the next one, like a storybook with each song being a new chapter.

Legrand and Scally created a masterpiece of an album and I’m glad to say it’s my #1 album of 2022.

Now go expand your music taste and get lost into the dreaminess of Beach House.

Ashanti Thomas is a junior digital media major. She can be reached at [email protected] or 217-581-2812.