Beck

Morning Phase

First released2014

Morning Phase, Beck's 2014 album, was primarily recorded at Bergen Hill studio in New Jersey and other locations, with production helmed by Beck himself alongside producer Nigel Godrich, known for his work with Radiohead. The recording process spanned several years and emphasized acoustic instrumentation, live arrangements, and analog recording techniques, representing a deliberate shift toward organic, orchestral production compared to Beck's previous work. The album featured contributions from session musicians and was mixed by Tom Elmhirst, with the production team utilizing both vintage and modern recording equipment to achieve its warm, detailed sound. Morning Phase served as a spiritual successor to Beck's 1996 album Odelay in terms of production ambition, though with a substantially different sonic palette focused on intricate arrangements and layered instrumentation. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2015, reflecting the critical and commercial reception of its carefully crafted production approach.