BEATIFIC, the Cali sound experts, drop a knockout haymaker with “Soft Machines,” the lead single off their latest album Life Under Tension. This track’s like cruising down an illuminated highway, watching all that wasted potential fly by. Imagine Labrinth crashing a Flaming Lips jam session, and you’re halfway there.
Fronted by a vocalist whose delivery gushes laid-back cool (imagine Lana Del Rey’s smoky indifference meets The Shins’ genuine charm), “Soft Machines” is smooth on the surface, but don’t let that fool you. It’s not some background muzak nonsense. The guitars are all jittery and anxious, like Built to Spill on a bender. And those synths are bouncing off the walls like Toro Y Moi after downing a case of Red Bull. The rhythm section has vibes that make you want to dance and start a riot at the same time. BEATIFIC’s nailed both slick electronic beats and rugged, in-your-face band energy.
When it comes to the lyrics, they’re taking shots at those “teenage dirtbag” types – you know, the ones who burn out before they even get started. It’s typical rock ‘n’ roll rebellion, but without getting all preachy about it. The music does all the talking: spinning concords, sharp riffs, and a chorus that won’t just go away. Dance Music Paradise got it right when they praised the “immersive melody” and “amazing vibe.”
BEATIFIC’s lineup operates like a well-oiled machine, each member feeding off the others’ energy. They’ve been cooking up this sound through three EPs and two LPs, perfecting that sweet spot between catchy DIY earworms and complex cosmos.
Featured on Apple Music’s “New in Alternative” playlist, “Soft Machines” is a gateway drug to Life Under Tension. This record digs into the weird heart of California—all that sunshine hiding the restless, tangled-up souls underneath. Let BEATIFIC make you remember: you haven’t lost your shot at greatness as long as you’re still swinging. Get loud or get out.