Beach House waltzed into the limelight when their Cocteau-flavoured, dream-state pop reached saturation point on Teen Dream. It was a blissful set of sweet nothings that had us all swooning with delight. This was the realisation of all that had come before.

So on hearing Bloom you may initially feel as if the Baltimore duo are playing it safe. This does, after all, feel like an all too healthy replica of Teen Dream. The reverb-glistening, lilting pop songs are delivered like a warm embrace via the richly served synthlines, Alex Scally’s carefully constructed guitar riffs, and of course the magical tones of Victoria Legrand.

Don’t get us wrong, the melodies are still flowing from the pair’s collective conscience. Myth is up there with anything on Teen Dream. Its crescendo-styled chorus has Legrand competing as one of the most beautiful vocalists in the realm of hazy-pop gems.

New Year is another hook-laden piece that swims in the elegant and ethereal waters the musicians are clearly revelling within. Lazuli meanwhile opens the widescreen production to its full capacity: a wave of heavenly keyboards sweeps through the studio, Legrand almost becoming lost in the band’s reverie.

For those that may have over-played Teen Dream you will find a new addiction with Bloom, it’s as deep as an ocean after all. But for those who were hoping for a new chapter in the Beach House story – you may need to wait a little longer yet.

-Luke Tyler-