The Beaches
No Hard Feelings
**and1/2 out of *****
The Toronto based outfit The Beaches broke out in a big way with 2023's excellent Blame My Ex as the quartet rocked with bruised hearts and rebound energy. Their newest offering No Hard Feelings shifts the groups style from pop punkish vibes towards studio new wave polish and a sense of restrained cool.
The group, lead vocalist/bassist Jordan Miller, guitarist Kylie Miller, guitarist Leandra Earl, and drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel continue to dwell in heartbreaking, LGBTQ centric situationships. No Hard Feelings is less of a rager and more of a hungover morning after. Lyrically each song uses unique turns of phrase as Jordan's vocals are dynamic, moving from intimate questions to theatrically soaring with asserted confidence.
The overarching sound here is decidedly new wave, with synths/beats moving to the front and guitar solos nowhere to be found. The group worked with an army of songwriters for this record, a host of artists who have written for everyone from Brittney Spears to SadBoi to Selena Gomez to Kendrick Lamar to the Jonas Brothers. These top notch song writers include: 300it, Riley Bell, Zale Epstein, Georgia Flipo, Aidan Hogg, Chris LaRocca, Lowell, Gus van Go, Sam Willows, Ryland Blackinton, Justin Tranter, and Karah McGillivray.
That many cooks in the kitchen could make things a bit skewed, but credit to the band for giving the album an overall connective feel. Opener "Can I Call You In The Morning?" deals with lyrics of confusion and regret over neon tinted tunes before "Did I Say Too Much?" goes dramatic with a big pop chorus. The albums tone keeps things in check and a bit dour, as The Cure inspired "Sorry For Your Loss" never goes over the top the way it's sarcastic lyrics are perfect for, and "Fine Let's Get Married" continues the cheeky lyrical ways.
For the majority of the record ("Takes One To Know One", "Jocelyn", ""Lesbian of the Year") the group deliver interesting lyrics with fairly tame, light electro pop. A highlight is "Touch Myself" which is bright, dancefloor ready using a great groove and understated guitar lines to push the confused sexual tale along. "I Wore You Better" has imprints of The Smiths while "Dirty Laundry" feels very much inspired by both Hall and Oates "Maneater" and The Pretenders "Don't Get Me Wrong".
Overall the album feels incredibly one note musically, clinging to this new wave inspired fashion, and while each song is solid, nothing really breaks through. That is until closer "Last Girls At The Party" kicks up the tempo while also allowing Miller to sing dramatically, letting it all hang out in positive fashion by slightly increasing the rock and roll.
As the young band evolves this more restrained sound may be the focus or just another step on their journey as The Beaches adventures in growing up in love, lust and loss are still worth hearing throughout No Hard Feelings.
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