Beabadoobee’s newest album Pylon is gritty, alternative and raw. It’s confrontational and dramatically melancholic at times, while sensitively appreciative at others. Despite being 26, Beabadoobee manages to capture an almost teenage angst without being cringy or deprecative.
The record is Filipino-British singer songwriter Beatrice Laus’ 4th studio album, released on Sept. 18, 2026. It was preceded by three singles, “Sun Has Set,” “Switchblade” and “Memories.” It has 14 tracks, along with a bonus song “Candy” available for download a few days after the core album.
Pylon is a departure from the dreamy pop of her past two studio albums, and a return to her pop-punk and emo inspired earlier work. It’s far more evocative of her debut album Fake It Flowers, as well as her extended play Space Cadet. Beabadoobee incorporates crunchy guitar, heavy drums, feedback and shouting vocals to unpack her experiences and dive into this new venture.
While the album differs from her past two releases, Beabadoobee hasn’t lost her roots. She retains her witty, personal lyrics and upbeat guitar solos. Fans of This Is How Tomorrow Moves will love “Estranged,” while “Memories” reminds me more of Beatopia.
Prior to its release, Pylon gathered attention for its stacked list of collaborators. Paramore’s Hayley Williams sings alongside Beabadoobee on “Nothing to Prove,” and Turnstile vocalist Brendan Yates features on “Powerlines.” Other co-creators include Deftones vocalist Chino Moreno, Title Fight guitarist Shane Moran, and Pinegrove member Evan Stephens Hall.
Personally, I was most excited for Yates’ contribution. As a Maryland native, the Baltimore based-based band Turnstile is one of my personal favorites. If you’re a fan of anything hardcore, they’re a must listen. Yate’s influence on Pylon is clear. Particularly on “Powerlines,” which is reminiscent of Turnstile’s recent releases.
From beginning to end, Pylon is a journey. The dreamy yearning of its opening and title track yields to a gritty guitar outro, leading into “Sun Has Set,” where Beabadoobee reprimands a past lover for their behavior.
“Switchblade” stands out the most stylistically. It’s slow and edgy, with heavy drums and lamenting the repetitive process of aging and returning to past habits. The chorus asks the loaded question: “Do you start the fight, or take the flight?”
The final track “Satellite” is a slow build, culminating in a distorted outro as Beabadoobee and Moreno sing to the moon. It acts as the perfect ending to the treat that is Pylon.
Much of the album was written during Beabadoobee’s tour for This Is How Tomorrow Moves. The name is inspired by the electricity towers she would pass in her tour bus, which helped her feel close to home even while across the ocean. As an out-of-state student, I resonated with these sentiments. When far away, the strangest things can remind you of home.
Some of my personal favorites on the album were “Sun Has Set,” “Write Me A Letter” and “In Motion.” I’m inclined towards some of her drum heavy and rock inspired work, and Pylon delivered. Listening transports me back to my high school bedroom, cutting my bangs and split-dying my hair while listening to Modern Baseball and Joyce Manor.
Midwest-emo and hardcore are incredibly male-dominated genres, so I was excited to see Beabadoobee dive into this new venture. Her soft vocals pair incredibly well with heavier musical backing. She executes this fusion of genres phenomenally, while maintaining the charms that make her music so unique.
I’ve been a fan since the release of Beatopia in 2022. If Pylon is your first introduction, I strongly recommend a peruse through her older music. You’ve probably heard “the perfect pair” and “Coffee,” but I’d strongly recommend giving the rest of her discography a shot. She has something for everyone. Some of my favorites are “Post,” “Care,” “Dye it Red” and “Pictures of Us.”
The Powerlines Tour will be Beabadoobee’s first headline arena run, joined by Wisp and Violet Grohl. She’ll be touring through North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom from October to December.
Beabadoobee says she feels the most herself with Pylon. It’s clear that she’s just getting started, and I, for one, can’t wait to hear more.