Baltimore-based dream-pop duo Beach House continues to master its craft of producing ethereal melodies and reverberating background instrumentation on its third album (and Sub Pop debut), “Teen Dream.” The result displays a level of songwriting only hinted at on previous albums. The single “Norway” utilizes Beach House singer Victoria Legrand’s high, breathy background vocals as a contrasting element to her standard husky timbre, while multi-instrumentalist Alex Scally’s frantic guitar picking builds a solid foundation. On the song “Walk in the Park,” a cheery organ chord progression-and plenty of guitar tremolo-provide a base for Legrand’s powerful presence. And the track “10 Mile Stereo” adds a bit of toe tapping to the otherwise downtempo album, with the help of a racing drum beat and lush string sampling. Leaps and bounds over the act’s earlier material, “Teen Dream” allows Legrand and Scally to truly come into their own while leaving the listener aching for more.
