Beach House (Carly Rae Jepsen song) explained

Beach House
Cover:Carly Rae Jepsen - Beach House.jpg
Alt:An overhead photo of a crowd of beachgoers and multicolored umbrellas
Type:single
Artist:Carly Rae Jepsen
Album:The Loneliest Time
Released:August 5, 2022
Genre:Disco-pop
Length:2:30
Label:
Producer:
  • Alex Hope
Prev Title:Move Me
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Talking to Yourself
Next Year:2022

"Beach House" is a song by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released as the second single from her sixth studio album, The Loneliest Time, on August 5, 2022. Jepsen wrote the track with Alex Hope and Nate Cyphert, with Hope handling the production alongside SameSame, who is credited as an additional producer. Inspired by a displeasing experience, the lyrics explore the uncertain and troubling side of finding love in dating apps and Jepsen's frustration with it. Musically, "Beach House" is a disco-pop tune driven by upbeat guitar and synthesizer instrumentation.

"Beach House" received generally positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised it for what they deemed catchy and playful lyrics and an engaging production. The song charted at number 11 on Billboard Japan Hot Overseas Songs. Taylor Fauntleroy directed the accompanying music video, which features the events from the song set on a seaside. The song was included on the set list of her So Nice Tour (2022–2023).

Background and release

In February 2020, Carly Rae Jepsen began collecting ideas for her sixth studio album, The Loneliest Time, while on her Dedicated Tour (2019–2020). Her creativity was stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading her to transform an old office space that was a part of her Los Angeles residence into a home studio.[1] On August 1, 2022, Jepsen announced the album, which was preceded by the lead single "Western Wind" earlier in May.[2]

Jepsen was inspired to write "Beach House" after someone invited her to his Malibu beach house for dinner prior to revealing that he already had a girlfriend. Feeling displeased but also reinvigorated, Jepsen brought the song to a studio session with Alex Hope and Nate Cyphert the next day: "I've got a concept! The hook is going to say, 'I've got a beach house in Malibu, and I'm probably going to hurt your feelings". They were confused before she explained that it was about dating apps.[3] Jepsen co-wrote the song alongside Hope and Cyphert, with Hope handling the production with SameSame, who is credited as an additional producer.[4]

Jepsen teased "Beach House" by sharing its hook on Twitter in January 2022.[5] On August 4, 2022, she posted a 15-second snippet of the song on TikTok.[6] The song was released as the album's second single the next day and its music video, directed by Taylor Fauntleroy, was released on August 12.[7] [8] Filmed in Malibu, the video is set on a seaside and depicts the "nightmare dates" that were presented on the song.[9] [10] "Beach House" reached number 11 on Billboard Japan Hot Overseas Songs issued on August 31, 2022. It is listed at track number six on The Loneliest Time, which was released on October 21 by Interscope and Schoolboy Records.[11] [12] The song was included on the set list of her fourth concert tour, the So Nice Tour (2022–2023).[13]

Music and lyrics

"Beach House" is two and a half minutes long. Hope and Rob Cohen programmed the song, while Mitch McCarthy recorded and mixed it. Background vocals were provided by Cyphert, Ben Romans, Bobby Wooten, Jared Manierka, Joey Hendricks, and Tony Marino. Chris Allgood and Emily Lazar mastered the track.

The upbeat instrumentation of "Beach House" comprises a synthesizer and a guitar both played by Hope, with an upbeat disco bassline.[14] The song includes a group of male backing vocalists to sing "I got a beach house in Malibu and I'm probably gonna hurt your feelings".[15] Peter Piatkowski of PopMatters described the song as a funky tune with a disco-pop production,[16] while Hannah Mylrea from NME said that it was "disco-infused".[17] Other critics considered the track pop.[18]

The lyrics are about the uncertain and troubling side of finding love in dating apps. In the verses, Jepsen describes going through a cycle of misfortunes she experienced with "Boy No. 1" to "Boy No. I Can't Keep Count Anymore".[19] The chorus sees her pleading for a timeline where people are honest when dating: "I want to believe that when you chase a girl, it's not just hunting season". Later in the song, Jepsen encounters men who plan to ghost her, borrow money, and harvest her organs.[20] The track also expresses her frustration with the numerous unsuccessful dates she had: "I've been on this ride / This rollercoaster's a carousel / And I'm getting nowhere". Piatkowski likened the lyrics to Carly Simon's song "You're So Vain" (1972). Gabrielle Sanchez of The A.V. Club said that its themes are comparable to her other tracks like "Call Me Maybe" (2011) and "Store" (2016).[21]

Critical reception

"Beach House" received generally positive reviews—many critics such as Jodi Guglielmi of Rolling Stone and Sam Franzini of The Line of Best Fit deemed the song catchy and playful.[22] Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times stated that it was a "cheeky earworm" that displayed her "deadpan sense of humor". Time Out placed "Beach House" at number 11 in their year-end list of the 22 best songs of 2022, with Phil de Semlyen describing the track as a "zippy, witty, stupidly catchy takedown of terrible dates".[23] Piatkowski lauded the "mordant comedy" of "Beach House" and said that the song "doesn't feel like a novelty tune" due to the songwriting and production quality. Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote that the track was the most surprising from The Loneliest Time and that it encapsulated "the wasteland of dating in the early 2020s with humor, horror, and just a bit of cynicism". Audra Heinrichs from The Telegraph called it a "cynical good time".[24]

The Rolling Stone writer Rob Sheffield described the song as a "deliciously nasty tour of serial monogamy in the era of dating-app addiction".[20] Entertainment Weekly journalist Maura Johnston called the track "withering" and selected it as one of the album's tracks that featured "propulsive throwdowns brimming with bite and verve".[25] Sanshez said that although Jepsen approached "corniness" on the song, "she's so earnest about it" to the point that it was very engaging. Charles Lyons-Bert from Slant Magazine stated that the track was a "winning confection" that displayed Jepsen's "unique appeal" of being naive while also cunning.[26] A few of them also found emotional nuance within the lyrics: Zoladz noted that "Beach House" effectively showcased themes of yearning for a romantic relationship, while Piatkowski perceived a sense of "weariness and stoic familiarity" to it. On less positive reviews, Pitchfork Olivia Horn felt that the track was "corny and dated" and too derivative for Jepsen, but she believed that it was an attempt to "diversify her portfolio".[27] Gem Stokes of Clash wrote that the song was witty and a "definitive bop", but found it to be a "superficial" outlier compared to the rest of the album.

Critics also commended the production. Some of them regarded "Beach House" as anthemic, breezy, and lively.[28] [29] Mylrea stated that the song was "phenomenal" and a "fully blown disco-infused banger". Piatkowski thought the track was an "excellent contrast" to the "sun-dappled tenderness" of "Western Wind" and selected it as a highlight from The Loneliest Time. Rhian Daly of UDiscoverMusic described the song as a "dance-ready anthem". Robin Murray from Clash called it a "breezy summer anthem" with an energetic performance from Jepsen. Chris Thiessen from Under the Radar believed that the track was a "summery jam" and that it was the most fun song on the album.[30]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Loneliest Time.

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[31] 11

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kaplan . Ilana . Carly Rae Jepsen: More than a Feeling . . May 16, 2023 . August 5, 2022 . live . December 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221203633/https://crackmagazine.net/article/profiles/carly-rae-jepsen-new-album-the-loneliest-time/ .
  2. Web site: Tenreyro . Tatiana . August 2, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Announces New Album The Loneliest Time . May 31, 2024 . . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209210809/http://www.thefader.com/2022/08/02/carly-rae-jepsen-announces-new-album . live .
  3. Web site: Kuga . Mitchell . August 8, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Doesn't Want to Stay in Her Lane . May 31, 2024 . . April 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415143731/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/carly-rae-jepsen-new-album-loneliest-time . live .
  4. The Loneliest Time . . 2022 . Schoolboy Records, Interscope Records.
  5. Web site: Rettig . James . August 5, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen – 'Beach House' . May 31, 2024 . . August 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830034021/https://www.stereogum.com/2195332/carly-rae-jepsen-beach-house/music/ . live .
  6. Web site: Kenneally . Cerys . August 4, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Shares Snippet of New Single 'Beach House' . May 31, 2024 . . June 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603072521/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/carly-rae-jepsen-shares-snippet-of-new-single-beach-house . live .
  7. Web site: Rowley . Glenn . August 5, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Beach House' Is a Sunny Delight: Stream . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230924132741/https://consequence.net/2022/08/carly-rae-jepsen-beach-house-stream/ . September 24, 2023 . May 31, 2024 . Consequence.
  8. Web site: Aubrey . Elizabeth . August 5, 2022 . Listen to Carly Rae Jepsen's Upbeat New Song 'Beach House' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206164656/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-carly-rae-jepsens-upbeat-new-song-beach-house-3284120 . December 6, 2023 . May 31, 2024 . NME.
  9. Web site: Daly . Rhian . August 12, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Heads to the Seaside in 'Beach House' Video . May 31, 2024 . . September 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929180335/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/carly-rae-jepsen-beach-house-video%E2%80%A8/ . live .
  10. Web site: Chunes . Gracie . August 13, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Debuts Stunning New Music Video for :Beach House' . May 31, 2024 . Mxdwn.com . August 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816040109/https://music.mxdwn.com/2022/08/13/news/carly-rae-jepsen-debuts-stunning-new-music-video-for-beach-house/ . live .
  11. Web site: Phares . Heather . October 21, 2022 . The Loneliest Time – Carly Rae Jepsen . May 31, 2024 . . October 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026210701/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-loneliest-time-mw0003770733 . live .
  12. Web site: Jepsen . Carly Rae . Carly Rae Jepsen . October 21, 2022 . The Loneliest Time . June 1, 2024 . . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209163454/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-loneliest-time/1637009231 . live .
  13. Web site: Yates . Jonny . September 29, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Fans Keep Giving Her Swords on Stage and She's Literally Slaying Her Tour . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240724082241/https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/09/29/carly-rae-jepsen-setlist-tour-tickets/ . July 24, 2024 . July 24, 2024 . PinkNews.
  14. Web site: Stokes . Gem . October 21, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen – The Loneliest Time . May 31, 2024 . . January 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230130072326/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/carly-rae-jepsen-the-loneliest-time/ . live .
  15. News: Cardenas . Federico . August 5, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Shares Anthemic New Single 'Beach House' . August 7, 2022 . Mxdwn.com . August 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060826/https://music.mxdwn.com/2022/08/05/news/carly-rae-jepsen-shares-anthemic-new-single-beach-house/ . live .
  16. Web site: Piatkowski . Peter . November 11, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen: The Loneliest Time (Review) . May 31, 2024 . . December 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221230005326/https://www.popmatters.com/carly-jae-jepsen-loneliest-time-2 . live .
  17. Web site: Mylrea . Hannah . October 20, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen – The Loneliest Time Review: Slick Sounds from a Cult Pop Hero . May 31, 2024 . . October 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221021023947/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/carly-rae-jepsen-the-loneliest-time-review-3331929 . live .
  18. Web site: Murray . Robin . August 5, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Beach House' Shimmers with Summer Energy . May 31, 2024 . . June 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603072522/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/carly-rae-jepsens-beach-house-shimmers-with-summer-energy/ . live .
  19. News: Zoladz . Lindsay . Caramanica . Jon . August 5, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen's Brand-New Boy Problems, and 7 More New Songs . August 7, 2022 . . August 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060826/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/05/arts/music/playlist-carly-rae-jepsen-dj-khaled-drake-lil-baby.html . live .
  20. Sheffield . Rob . Rob Sheffield . October 20, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Dances Her Way Through Heartbreak on The Loneliest Time . May 31, 2024 . . October 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221025033758/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/carly-rae-jepsens-the-loneliest-time-1234612759/ . live .
  21. Web site: Sanchez . Gabrielle . October 21, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Finds Bliss in Solitude on The Loneliest Time . May 31, 2024 . . May 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230517075123/https://www.avclub.com/carly-rae-jepsen-the-loneliest-time-review-1849666416 . live .
  22. Web site: Franzini . Sam . October 21, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen: The Loneliest Time Review - Strength and Serenity Found in Stillness . June 6, 2024 . . October 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221030151231/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/carly-rae-jepsen-the-loneliest-time-serene-romance . live .
  23. Web site: December 6, 2022 . The 22 Best Songs of 2022 . June 6, 2024 . . December 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207002435/https://www.timeout.com/music/best-songs-of-2022 . live .
  24. News: Perry . Andrew . Hall . James . Wilkinson . Chiara . Heinrichs . Audra . Kambasha . Michelle . Woods . Cat . October 21, 2022 . Arctic Monkeys Get Soulful, Loyle Carner Gets Angry – the Week's Best Albums . 2024-05-31 . . 0307-1235 . October 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221024090226/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/best-albums-week-arctic-monkeys-carly-rae-jepsen-loyle-carner/ . live .
  25. Johnston . Maura . Maura Johnston . October 21, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen's The Loneliest Time Is a Lovesick Study of What Makes Humans Tick . June 10, 2024 . . October 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221022215054/https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/carly-rae-jepsen-the-loneliest-time-review/ . live .
  26. Web site: Lyons-Burt . Charles . October 21, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen The Loneliest Time Review: A Delicate Balance . June 10, 2024 . . October 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221024033553/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/carly-rae-jepsen-the-loneliest-time-album-review/ . live .
  27. Web site: Horn . Olivia . October 21, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen: The Loneliest Time . June 6, 2024 . . October 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221024042205/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/carly-rae-jepsen-the-loneliest-time/ . live .
  28. Guglielmi . Jodi . August 5, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Explores the World of Dating Apps in New Single 'Beach House' . May 31, 2024 . . June 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240610103153/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/carly-rae-jepsen-beach-house-single-1392805/ . live .
  29. Web site: Daly . Rhian . August 5, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen Swipes Right on Bright New Single 'Beach House' . May 31, 2024 . . June 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603072519/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/carly-rae-jepsen-beach-house/ . live .
  30. Web site: Thiessen . Chris . October 26, 2022 . Carly Rae Jepsen – The Loneliest Time . May 31, 2024 . . March 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329011957/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/the_loneliest_time_carly_rae_jepsen . live .
  31. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of August 31, 2022. Billboard Japan. ja. August 31, 2022. August 31, 2022. September 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220902013649/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2022&month=09&day=05. live.

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