Artist: Best Coast
Album: Fade Away
Label: Jewel City
Released: October 22, 2013

The past couple of years have been very busy for the lo-fi surf rock group Best Coast. Their 2012 sophomore effort The Only Place was a hit and they were constantly touring following the release of that album.  Somehow they found time to write and record their new mini album called Fade Away.

Clocking in at just over twenty minutes, Fade Away is a statement to how far Best Coast has come as a band and how much their style has matured.  These seven songs have a much more clear mix and sound than any of their previous efforts. Their last album was a bit more polished than their other efforts but Fade Away has a very professional and crisp sound to it.  Without all of the reverb Best Coast sounds like a band that has been successful for more than ten years.

Frontwoman Bethany Consentino’s songwriting has matured along with their sound. Instead of writing songs about how great California is, the lyrics have shifted towards a self-identity crisis in songs like “Who Have I Become?” and “Fear of My Identity.” Fade Away seems to be very personal for Consentino and she really shows her emotions throughout the mini album.

Best Coast has definitely found their signature sound with Fade Away. With a new album rumored to debut in the spring of 2014, there’s no telling what’s next for Best Coast.

Reviewed by Troy Burke