Fake It Flowers at Five
Five years ago, deep into the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all looking for something to take our minds off things. For many, it was binge-watching TV shows, for others, it was podcasts. And of course, music fans do what we always do and turn to the joy of music. It was at that time. A new artist came into my life and very quickly became a favorite.
beabadoobee was born Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus in the Philippines and raised in London. Both of these worlds had significant impact upon who she became as a songwriter. As a teen, her musical tastes were informed by listening to her native Original Pilipino Music and indie rock popular in the UK at the time. The result was a mix of guitar-driven Indie folk pop with both coffee shop, singer, songwriter, and rock undertones. Basically perfectly tailored for my musical tastes.
I don’t recall where I first heard Beabadoobee, probably served to me by the Apple Music algorithm, but it was a song from an earlier EP called She Plays Bass. I was pretty much hooked from go. I pre-ordered Fake It Flowers ‘ debut album. Immediately upon hearing the first single, Care I knew I was going to dig this.
The album opens with two rockers, the aforementioned Care and Worth It; both of these songs reminded me of female-fronted bands from the ‘90s that I loved. The rest of the album, in general, is lighter, more acoustic guitar-focused, as is much of our catalogue, but I love that as well. Her voice is gentle and angelic, and her melodies are infectious. On the heavier songs, she employs essentially a four-piece rock band who really know how to bring it.
This album is much more than the bedroom rock that it is associated with. It sounds like a more mature artist than she actually was at the time, the songs deal with the things that we all deal with: love, heartbreak, friendship, and heartache. She explores each of these and a way that really connects with a listener.
Fake it flowers came at a perfect time for me, and I spun them endlessly upon receipt. I loved it so much that I named it my album of the year for 2020. It would be a few years before I saw beabadoobee live, but she is just as good live as her records, bringing a heavier, more rock approach to the songs.
If you’re not a fan of this particular artist now, is your chance to check her out! Happy fifth anniversary to Fake It Flowers by beabadoobee.
