The Beaches : "No Hard Feelings"

 It's been a weird year for pop, but rather than waiting for Taylor Swift to come save the day, I've been looking forward to the Beaches' new album. This band's last album, "Blame My Ex" found them taking the number two spot in our Top 10 Pop Albums of 2023. They have raised the bar for themselves, and the opening track on this album finds them going in a more indie rock direction while trying to still dish out a comparable level of hooky choruses. The second song here is more of a pop stab that reflects back on what worked on the last album, though perhaps not as hard-hitting, but still highly effective. 

"Sorry For Your Loss" is more indie rock, almost an 80s new wave edge to it. Jordan Miller's voice is more emotive this time around me, and she throws it around in a nuanced manner. At times it makes me think of if the Killers were girls. "Touch Myself" is not a Divinyls cover. The guitars follow a well-worn formula that they have used, where the guitars are mixed back to give the vocals room to create a more dynamic chorus.  "Fine, Let's Get Married' is more effective at what they do with a tension that is like some of the Cure's poppier moments. 

Lyrics are their strong suit, and some of the sharp wit regarding their self-loathing and dysfunction are more dialed back than the previous, though there are moments like "Takes One to Know One" that renew the shine. This is a more guitar-oriented album, which I like. This can be heard on "I Wore You Better" which finds a queer-baiting slant on the lyrics that they have been ambiguous about up til this point on the album, though one of the guitarist's sexuality is pretty out, which is fine, as no one is pressing anything here and it kind of comes off like it's all a part of the issues they are cataloging in the lyrics. "Dirty Laundry" dances and jangles, but it does hit me as strongly as the previous songs, though it might need to grow on me.  

"Lesbian of the Year" almost seems like they are using the queer thing as a marketing angle. But it's a good song, so I am not going to complain that the lyrics are pretty clever. "Jocelyn" does not hit like "Blame Brett" but it's a really well-written indie pop song that keeps the guitars firmly in hand and does not apologize for being a guitar band. "Last Girls Girls at the Party" has grown on me since the first time I heard it. It is still not a "Blame Brett," but it works for what they are going for. I have heard it explained that they are entering their messy era. I think they are more of a rock band on this album. I will give it a 9.5, which means it holds up against the last album because they came at what they do from a different angle. Not as experimental as the HAIM album, but perhaps more consistent, and fewer ballads. 

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