After two years of anxious waiting, Ireland-based band Two Door Cinema Club finally released their sophomore album, “Beacon.” As an up-and-coming band, their sound shows noticeable similarity to the band Phoenix with their similar repetitious, synthesized tones.
Their first album, “Tourist History,” went gold in the UK, creating a solid fanbase. In attempts to drop the Phoenix comparison, Two Door Cinema Club made some minor changes on Beacon through guitar, bass and drums, giving their sound a rockier edge.
“Next Year,” one of the songs off the new album, breaks off from the Phoenix sound, falling more on the rock side of the alternative genre. The track uses harder instruments like guitar and heavy drums compared to the band’s usual combination of different synthesizer patterns and sounds.
The pre-album single “Sleep Alone” showed that the band was staying true to their classic electro-alternative sound. “Sleep Alone” has great potential to be an alternative hit with its fast-paced beat and catchy chorus.
“Handshake,” another catchy new song song off the album, incorporates a strong bassline and kick drum pattern. “Handshake” has the feel of the original Two Door Cinema Club music with the exception of a deeper, less pop-like rhythm.
The band goes out of their comfort zone in “The World Is Watching.” The track features British newbie Valentina, who helps produce a soulful harmony with a lonely message. This track has the deepest, most meaningful lyrics on the album. The song’s chorus repeats, “I want you with me” several times, but the verses show the beauty and depth of the message: “Look into your heart are you happy/You could be the one to set me free/And with your hand in mine we will walk/To a place that knows no one.”
The song “Beacon” concludes the album combing every sound in Two Door Cinema Club’s repertoire. It starts with a soft, simple drumbeat and a Vampire-Weekend-like bass line. The rest of the song picks up a synthesizer pattern and sounds like the band’s original work. Although “Beacon” does not contain as many catchy songs with chart-topping potential, the band managed to steer clear of the infamous sophomore slump.
