This low-fi, guitar-pop-fuelled record is a bold move for an artist who came to prominence after her early track 'Coffee' was sampled in TikTok smash hit 'Death Bed' by Powfu - reportedly racking up a staggering 1.4 billion plays in the process.

 

Having released four EPs since 2018, this is Bea's first full-length release but, in that time, she has signed to prolific star-making label Dirty Hit, toured the USA and been nominated for the BRITs Critics Choice Award - plus, she was featured in the BBC Sound of 2020 list.

 

There is certainly enough on this record to suggest Beabadoobee - the moniker of 20-year-old Filippino-born, London-based starlet Bea Kristi - could enjoy sustained mainstream success.

 

This is a very polished effort that only begins to hint at the potential of the young woman wielding the guitar. It's not an album that will appeal to everyone: some will be put off by how far it strays from her earliest work, while others may think it doesn't stray far enough.

 

There is obvious irony in the fact that an artist who came to prominence due to TikTok has been so clearly and unapologetically inspired by 90s guitar rock.

But, right from the insistent fury of opener 'Care', through to the wryly-titled 'Emo Song', Bea treads her own path and moves from dreamy ballad to punk-rock riot-starter in a way that suggests this album is but the start of something worth watching out for.

 

Bea treads over familiar ground with some songs, with 'Further Away' a sideways take on young love, but she tackles self-harm with maturity and poignancy on 'Charlie Brown'.

 

Having come from writing in her bedroom to debut record in swift order, it feels like there is plenty more to come from Beabadoobee - and there is no doubt it will be worth waiting for.