Best Coast
“How They Want Me To Be”
The Only Place (Mexican Summer)
Without a doubt, no album has taken me off guard this year like the shimmering sophomore LP from the divisive Eagle Rock duo. As I’ll get into more when I review The Only Place later this week, it’s just such a huge step forward for the group. Channeling one of her heroes, Stevie Nicks, oft-derided vocalist/songwriter Bethany Cosentino dials back the reverb and really lets her voice shine, and the result is absolute magic. Cosentino paints an articulate, affecting reflection of what it’s like being a reluctant Internet celebrity. When she sings, “cuz when I wake up in the morning or the middle of night, I wonder who’s there and what they’ve said. But when I wake up in the morning or the middle of the night, I look at you and I know it’s alright,” it gives us an insight into who she is in a way that nothing she’s ever done has. An absolute standout from an incredibly special album.
