In the summer of 2022, Beabadoobee’s new album was released: ‘Beatopia,’ a name based on Beabadoobee’s, or Beatrice Kristi Laus, seven-year-old mind. The fictional world that the artist made, often found herself going to escape from the world that she lived in. To the extent of creating a whole alphabet and language for the place. This creation was to combat the feeling of isolation she felt that came from being one of the only Southeast-Asian kids in a predominately white school after she immigrated from Iloilo City, Philippines to London. Her often feeling like an “alien,” says Pitchfork magazine. The world of hers was mocked by classmates and teachers when they found out about it; she soon hid the world away for many years, until now. 

Beatrice Kristi Lau states “It’s very empowering. Everything happening around that time of my life was all these repressed feelings that I’d kept for so long. And then revisiting that kind of helped me accept those feelings. Now ‘Beatopia’ is less of a conceptual thing, but it’s a feeling. And it’s something that I just had to dig and find within myself.” An excerpt from NME article, “Beabadoobee: “I have so much more art to share with the world. I’m not going to stop”  

After its release, the album received an abundant amount of positive feedback, and for a good reason too. It’s amazing! The album greets us with the first track, labeled “Beatopia Cultsong.” A seemingly insane song name – due to the fact of the word cult – to start the 14-track masterpiece, backed up with amazing instrumentals and vocals. The song repeats the same lines over and over again, turning into a chant; ‘Is it me, or recently time is moving slowly?’ The folk song transforms us into the Beatopia universe, best said by The Gryphon. 

Ripples play suddenly on track 5, and suddenly I’m crying. It’s a heartfelt song that can get a good cry in. After that gut-wrenching 3 minutes and 7 seconds, Perfect Pair is on; a pop-y song that can get you to dance from its like-able beat. The Perfect Pair is the 6th song off the album and is almost three minutes long. Trending on TikTok, the song soon became an instant hit. Becoming one of the most popular songs of the almost 46-minute-long tracks. Track 8 plays (Talk) and now I’m jamming out. The song has a reminiscence of Kristi Laus’s previous album, Fake It Flowers. 

Fast forward a bit, and because this short review is not looking so short anymore, we have Tinkerbell is Overrated. A song featuring PinkPatheress, an amazing artist that made hit songs like Boy’s a Liar, Pain, and I Must Apologize. The song deals with the themes of isolation and is, presumably,  inspired by the alienation of lockdown, 

After that, plays”You’re Here That’s The Thing,” which is the 14th and final song off the album and is one of my favorites. The song has influences from OPM, standing for Original Pilipino Music, and has a beautiful mix of prominent acoustic guitar with drums harmonizing together with Beabadoobee’s cool and awesome voice.  

“But you’re here, that’s the thing

And I’m not trying to give you a ring

Well, maybe on the phone if you let it sing

You’re overcomplicating everything”  

The hook is simple but catchy and makes me want to cry, dance, and fall in love all at the same time. And when line 30 hits, it’s like a god themself decided to put their whole soul into that. That god being Beabadoobee, Budgen, and Healy talent. What more can a person ask for in a song? In an album? 

The album is great! I recommend Beatopia to anyone who is looking for new music in their life. I recommended all her music. It’s quite phenomenal. You don’t have to just take my word for it, take Kehaulani/Brenda’s words, in other words, my mom’s opinion. A picky person in music. 

“Hi!” I started the conversation up with my Mother, an avid enjoyer of Selena Gómez, and classical hits like Love Ten Feet Away by Kolea, Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, and Death Bed (coffee for your head) by Powfu, a song of which samples Beabadoobee’s Coffee song. 

She says hello back. The conversation pursuits. 

“Do you like Beabadoobee?” I ask, knowing the answers. 

“Yes.” 

“Why?” 

“Because she is really cool.” She texts me back. 

“Thank you for your time,” I reply thinking that’s her whole opinion. 

“I like her tone. I like artists that can just sing plainly with a guitar or bongo drums and sound good all by themselves.” Kehuanlani says. 

The answer seems to be a recurring theme because when I asked my friend and classmate, Nola, (a Taylor Swift connoisseur and an avid enjoyer of music) she replied with something along the same lines.  

“I think she has a unique voice that a lot of popular singers within the [music] industry don’t have,”

To reiterate, I recommend listening to Beabadoobee’s music! Between Sunny days, Ripples, and Talk to You’re Here That’s The Thing, the album had me an emotional mess. I loved every bit of it! Her uniqueness with her music and her way of tone and usage of instrumentals is awesome, and is often what draws people in! If you are into the indie/alternative genre, I think you just might find a new love for her music and the world that Beatrice Kristi Lau created. Stream Beatopia!