Album Review // Beabadoobee // This Is How Tomorrow Moves

Dirty Hit

3/5 stars

On This Is How Tomorrow Moves, Beabadoobee loses part of her charm in favor of musical clarity.

After four advance singles, the Filipino-English singer and songwriter (real name Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus), released her third studio album on Aug. 9, 2024. Touted by many as her first "adult" record, much of the anticipation surrounding the record came from the new personnel brought into the fold. Specifically, legendary producer Rick Rubin was the driving force behind the board. Rubin's industry clout and the singer's relative popularity allowed Laus and her team to record in some of the most iconic studios in the world, from Abbey Road to Shangri-La.

In theory, these additions would seem to set the stage for an improvement over her previous effort (Beatopia), but the same cannot be said in practice. In creating a more polished version of her formula, Beabadoobee has lost part of her stylistic charm. Laus' previous music was bolstered by bedroom pop aesthetics. Even while on a major label, the records sounded quaint and lo-fi. Even the covers felt hand-made. That level of sentimentality is missing.

This Is How Tomorrow Moves has numerous great tracks — however the extra sheen leaves the music lacking elements that made Beabadoobee stand out.