I’ve flirted with the idea of writing about the Beths since I saw them live in 2019. I kept putting it off since their debut was in 2018, but that all changed with the announcement of their sophomore album, Jump Rope Gazers. After the three singles teasing the 2020 drop, I had essentially finished writing my piece. I still decided to wait for the full album so I could listen and add more on that note. This was the right call, as the record is so incredible that I had to scrap everything and start anew.

I fell in love with the Beths’ commanding presence and four-part arrangements the first time they graced my ears. Their energetic takes on situations or feelings that everyone can identify with can be found throughout their early works and their debut album, Future Me Hates Me. Lead singer and fronting guitarist, Elizabeth Stokes, wears her heart on her sleeve when it comes to the lyrics of the band, and their live performance is a force to be reckoned with.

Let’s just say they took it up a notch with the new album. Actually, up a notch is an understatement. For me, they blew it out of the water.

The Auckland, New Zealand based group to me sounds like an indie pop/rock product that’s a combination of Soccer Mommy, Courtney Barnett, and Camera Obscura. The album (and almost all of their music for that matter) is driven by intoxicating hooks and melodic compositions. Since the release of the album on Thursday night, i’ve logged dozens of listens to the record in its entirety. It flows masterfully and shows more polish than most bands’ third or even fourth album.

The Beths step on the gas immediately by kicking the album off with the high-powered “I’m Not Getting Excited” and “Dying to Believe,” but the album isn’t all fast-paced, high energy tracks. They pump the breaks and bring things down to a more calculated pace with the masterful title track that is “Jump Rope Gazers.” The change of pace here and other tempo transitions throughout the album were a surprise given the energetic nature of Future Me Hates Me, but it was a stroke of genius and really attributes to listening to the entire album on repeat.

Don’t waste another second. Pick up this album immediately. When things (hopefully) turn around and we can have live shows in the states again, I’ll be expecting a massive tour when the Kiwis make it this way, and it will be well worth the wait.

Spread the music. Spread the love.

Cheers,

Travis

Things weren’t quite normal with the timing of the release of Jump Rope Gazers, so The Beths did their own thing with a series of live streamed shows leading up to the album drop. The final show may be found in its entirety below. The show kicks off at 4:00.

The opening track on the new album sounds like something that would be right at home in a Scott Pilgrim fight scene. Check out “I’m Not Getting Excited.”

Stripped down versions of three of their songs were performed for Paste Magazine in Austin during SXSW 2019. It showcases more of the vocal arrangements that you may not realize in the studio versions.