Brian Wilson's masterwork arrived as an act of creative isolation, transforming The Beach Boys from surf rock heralds into architects of orchestral pop melancholy. Recorded with session virtuosos whilst his bandmates toured, the album wielded harpsichords, bicycle bells and Paul Tanner's electro-theremin to sketch emotional landscapes of longing and fragile optimism.

Initially misunderstood in America, its reputation metastasised into legend. The intricate vocal arrangements and studio-as-instrument approach influenced everyone from The Beatles onwards, securing its place in the National Recording Registry and atop countless best-of lists.