When I first read in detail about Best Coast’s new album via Rolling Stone, I became ingrained with expectations that may have been unrealistic. The article headline touted the album, California Nights, as the band’s “biggest, trippiest album yet.” Given that Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno have created a Cali-rock sound based in simplicity, “big” does not seem to be the best description of their new music, unless Rolling Stone was merely referring to the literal length of the project.
Overall, Best Coast is all about creating vibes. One vibe in particular, if we’re being real with ourselves. It’s positive and sunny (just like California) sonically; with comfortable guitar riffs and appropriate drum rhythms, I am moved to bob my head back and forth, but that’s about it. Cosentino’s vocal harmonies are equally welcome and make appearances throughout the album, but for that exact reason they fall into the Best Coast aesthetic as opposed to being considered a pivotal part of this new collection of songs. While “Heaven Sent” is a clear standout songs along with the album’s bookend tracks, “When Will I Change” deserves some credit for reminding me of The Go-Go’s hit “Vacation.”
When discussing her growth as a songwriter and how she is still a lot of the same person she was before California Nights, Cosentino told Rolling Stone: “I think I’ve pulled it together a little better.” There has been definite growth for Cosentino and Bruno over their young careers, but “little” would be accurate to describe how “better” things have become. At its best, California Nights is the peak of current Best Coast; it will be interesting to see if the band can create variety within their niche on future releases.