Album Review: Foley – Beulahland

Foley may be based in the bustling music scene of modern Brooklyn; their Beulahland album occupies a different place and time, however.

The chamber rock band sextet’s fourth album marks something of a departure for them, as they bring some of the theatrical, if not downright Vaudeville, side of the live shows into the studio.

They aren’t afraid of stepping outside their comfort zone either, as the terrifyingly-titled Hellraiser matches a Tin Pan Alley melody to a baroque-meets-horror via an early Roxy Music arrangement that wouldn’t be amiss in Blue Velvet or Rocky Horror Picture Show. While the band are obviously serious about their music, they are not afraid to take risks and have a bit of fun along the way.

That possibly unconscious tie-in with films pops up throughout the album, and if you are cine-literate, you can create your own narrative for songs like Antarctica, Brain In A Jar, and Movie – the latter got me thinking of American Graffiti and Dog Day Afternoon, and the lyrics seem to contain quite a few references to films of the 70s and 80s. Like I say, I don’t know how intentional that was, but it did draw me in to the rollercoaster-like stream of consciousness that defines much of the lyrics of Beulahland.

The title of the album is reflected in two numbers, the first full of religious imagery set to an arrangement that is both Brechtian and burlesque. The sax – a brilliantly inventive presence on the album – acts as if it were a demon here, putting temptation in your way. The second song is like the story after the fall, aching with regret and possibly flirting with shame. And do I hear a nod to Dancing Queen in there? St Paul by contrast is a reference to the city but also revolves around religion, the song having a showbiz razzle-dazzle to it.

It’s easy to imagine Beulahland hitting Broadway, Brooklyn standing in for an intoxicating mix of Mahagonny and Hollywood Babylon. The songs have a strong narrative, the arrangements take on a life of their own, and the vocals are full of life in all its grit and glory. It does go against the grain of what constitutes indie, rock, or pop in 2026, but I suspect that in terms of its artistic merits, it’ll stand the test of time.

Beulahland was released on the 13th of June, 2026, and is available to download on Bandcamp. The album can also be heard on Spotify – for details of other listening options, be sure to connect with Foley on Instagram.