Beach House released their junior album, Teen Dream, and upon listening to the band’s ten new tracks it is apparent that the third time is the a charm for this Baltimore duo. With Victoria Legrand on vocals and organ accompanied with Alex Scally on guitar and keyboards, the two musicians have spent the last six years perfecting a dream pop sound that conjures up tangible reveries for their growing fan base.

While the band had showcased relatable tunes with their first two albums, it is on Teen Dream that Beach House has reached a state of excellence. The new tracks articulate a gamete of emotions, representing the confusion and joy found in the transition from childhood folly to adult responsibilities. The listener can easily relate to Beach House’s conception of a teen dream world, as their songs flow together to create an anthem for anyone who has felt the need for a hideaway from the psychologically confusion caused by the process of aging and changing.

In addition to the album’s emotional breadth, several tracks showcase the evolution of Beach House’s musical aesthetic. “Zebra” and “Silver Souls” display the band’s ability to produce a lighter sound. Legrand’s organ takes a backseat to Scally’s memorable performance, as the band moves away from the heavier orchestrations of their earlier work. The band’s dream pop genre is fused with an alternative electronic sound similar to that of Electrelane (also apparent on “Lover of Mine”), but still retains the soft and raw quality of their earlier work.

As a whole, Teen Dream represents a modern version of New Order’s “Age of Consent;” the album is representative of the thoughts and attitudes of its listeners as they embrace the independence and freedoms of adulthood. Beach House has produced an album that is relatable, while still being extraordinarily well crafted. Not only has the band achieved musical brilliance, but they have also included a DVD of music videos to further express their teen fantasies (many of which are directed by Legrand herself). Make sure to pick up a version of the album in stores to get the full Teen Dream experience –– it is a musical must have for 2010.