beabadoobee: Five Essential Albums
beabadoobee (photo by Jacob Erland, PR)
May is AAPI month and FUV is spotlighting artists we admire, on air and online.
Beabadoobee has been playing a series of dream gigs this year. The sweet-voiced rocker, real name Beatrice Kristi Laus, is headlining her own slate of Beatopia shows, supporting her 2022 sophomore album — including a New York stop on July 31 and August 1 at Terminal 5. If that's not enough, she's also snagged one of the highest profile support slots of the year, opening for a leg of Taylor Swift's sold-out "Eras Tour" earlier this spring. (Swift dedicated "Our Song" to her on opening night, which Bea told Billboard was "a massive trip.")
As we discovered when beabadoobee stopped by FUV's Studio A last year for a session, the Filipino-British musician has an encyclopedic knowledge of music and relishes talking about the artists who have motivated her professionally, and have been emotional ballasts, throughout her life.
Beabadoobee's most recent single is the tender billet doux "Glue Song," written for her boyfriend, but more significantly, a testament to her own brighter outlook on life. There's a new mix of that song with Clairo; Bea performed a stripped-down live version as part of her 2022 FUV Live set.
In the midst of her road trip across North America, Bea sent on "Five Essential Albums" that have shaped her own songwriting — and are always with her on the road too.
beabadoobee: Five Essential Albums
The Sundays, Blind
The melodies on this album make me cry. This is definitely one of the albums I keep coming back to. Frequently played on tour in dressing rooms and everywhere I go.
Elliott Smith, XO
The lyrics and songwriting and chords are all so beautiful. Another of my biggest influences on songwriting. I even have an XO tattoo on me because it means so much to me
Björk, Post
This is ahead of its time. It’s just so interesting; every song is so special. It’s not an album you can just have in the background, you have to really listen to it. "My headphones saved my life" [from "Headphones"] is such an iconic, memorable lyric that always moves me.
Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream
This record has everything. It’s soft and loud and heartbreaking but it's genius, timeless songwriting. It really captures that era and his voice over the soft and loud moments are perfect.
Duster, Contemporary Movement
I have lots of memories linked to this album. It transports me to a time and it’s another one that hits me, especially the way it was recorded. I think it’s all recorded on four track? So simple and sounds effortlessly cool.
- beabadoobee's Bea Laus
May 2023
