Four years on from her previous album Luck/Time, the 10 tracks that make up Beams are a stark contrast from her previous release. While Luck/Time featured somewhat more polished production, Beams succeeds in being more brutally honest and raw in its song writing, managing to be a more cohesive collection of songs than its predecessor.
Slick, fresh production from LIPS give the album a modern edge. A mix of upbeat, delightful pop tunes (The Saint (with stains), Both Ways), slow burning, moodier tracks (Dive, Magnesium and Coffee), as well as edgier tracks (Do I Exist?, We See You), Beams really does have something for everyone and showcases Coddington’s strong song writing abilities.
My personal favourites include title track Beams, with Louis Baker’s vocals being the perfect accompaniment to Coddington’s sweet tones. The opening track The Saint (with stains) with its tinkling piano is the perfect introduction to Beams, and the closing track Remember Me is a sweet, reflective tune and the best way to finish what is a beautiful album.
Beams is a triumph and cements Coddington as a solid song writer. The perfect album to accompany a classic Kiwi summer, I highly recommend giving it a listen.
Anna Coddington is known for her enchanting live performances and voice which “flows perfectly from soft to grunty”, and for her songwriting prowess which has seen her in the prestigious Silver Scroll songwriting award Top 20 list four times since 2010.
Her album Luck/Time was the culmination of four years of diligent songwriting and was largely made at Anna’s own studio The Attic (literally her attic).
Showcasing all the strengths and experiences acquired over her career, Luck/Time features pop sounds with tinges of indie, disco, and yacht rock thrown in. Going against the current trend of beats-heavy production, Anna stands deliberately with her guitar in hand. With strings peppered throughout, the core of the album is all about feelings – Anna expressing her own, and the listener feeling theirs.