New Zealanders The Beths are a genuine, seemingly down to Earth group that just want to make lovely indie rock and pop that's straight from the heart and who doesn't want that? Expert In a Dying Field is a lovely continuation of the band's sunny, 90's tinged indie rock and pop with Elizabeth Stokes' personally heartfelt humor, wit, and charm.
All the way from Aukland, New Zealand are The Beths, a band whose self-deprecating lyricism over summery sunburnt rock instrumentals recently happened upon my ears about a month or so ago. I was familiar with the name and may have heard a song or two in passing but I never truly gave them a listen until I fell upon an NPR Tiny Desk concert featuring them performing a stripped down live set in front of NPR office employees. After watching their lovely and charming set, not only were the songs great but the four members seemed to be so down to Earth, funny, and a lovely group of folks. So thankfully after discovering this recent set I listened to Expert In a Dying Field, the band's third album that was just released in the Fall of 2022. Now I know exactly what you're thinking. Josh, why on Earth would you review an album that came out in 2022 in 2023? You review new albums as they are being released and this is against the rules! Welp, sorry to break it to you but this is my blog so I make my own rules, bro. I love The Beths' music and I want to talk about them, regardless of this not being a 2023 release!
The Beths feature Elizabeth Stokes on lead vocals, guitar and songwriting duties along with Benjamin Sinclair on bass, Jonathan Pearce on guitar and keys, and Tristan Deck on percussion. What definitely grabbed my attention the most is Elizabeth Stokes' humorous lyricism, lovely melodies and vocals, and instrumentals reminiscent of the sunny, punchy, and vibrant indie rock and pop that you hear from modern acts like Alvvays or Courtney Barnett but also with a flare of 90's indie rock. I actually do find a lot of similarities between Stokes and Barnett: not just both of their similar features visually but the lyrics of blunt, humorous wit of self deprecation, heartbreak, and love as well as their vocal range. Despite the similarities, each artist has their own distinct personality and traits that I really do appreciate and find charming.
Following up their Jump Rope Gazers album in 2020 comes Expert In a Dying Field, the group's third studio album. I've been listening to both of these records back and forth over the past month or so and I really enjoy both quite a bit. To my ears the songs on Jump Rope Gazers are great refreshing indie pop songs that really stick to your eardrums. Expert In a Dying Field is a lovely continuation of the band's sunny, 90's tinged indie rock and pop with Elizabeth Stokes' personally heartfelt humor, wit, and charm. As much as I enjoy the songs from Jump Rope Gazers, I do think the production, songwriting, and performances on this new album are a step up for the band. The band sounds much more raw, energetic, and immediate. I also feel like there's an added maturity to the songs too that bands typically will have as their career progresses. Expert In a Dying Field is definitely a Beths record when I put it on. The opening title track has quite the anthemic hooks, guitars, and some of Stokes' best songwriting to date. The use of an "expert in a dying field" theme within the lyrics and as a concept is genuinely creative and I can't say I've heard much music touch on this ultra specific topic. "Silence Is Golden" has satisfyingly fast paced grooves that are water tight. There's the sweetly sung longing to be with your other half on the beautiful highlight "Your Side."
The cute acoustic guitar playing and cheekily sung "I Want to Listen" gives me tears of joy because it reminds me of why I adore indie pop groups like Hospitality and why Amber Papini is one of my all-time favorite singer/songwriters. "Change In the Weather" has one of the best hooks on the entire album and it's such a great performance from the band. "A Passing Rain" and the closer "2am" are two solid slow burners that grew on me over time. "Best Left" has a lovely singalong chorus and chant that is urging to be repeated by fans at their live shows. "Knees Deep" is another highlight that is one of the group's best songs to date, featuring lyrics about the singer not being as brave, confident, or fulfilling as the person she's calling after. It's cleverly written and humbling to see a singer songwriter as honest and unabashed as Elizabeth Stokes is on the track.
The Beths aren't necessarily a genre defining indie rock band and they prove that they don't have to be in order to provide an enveloping, inviting personal record that's both rewarding and exciting within the field of newer indie rock artists. On the surface, I really kinda passed them off but once I gave them the time, they are definitely one of my favorite groups at the moment. They've added even more personality and growth within the performances and songwriting on Expert In a Dying Field. The Beths are a genuine, seemingly down to Earth group that just want to make lovely indie rock and pop that's straight from the heart and who doesn't want that? In modern indie music, you really can't complain with what they've produced here. It's so enjoyable, fun, and blissful to hear. I can't wait to hear what this group does in the future.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Expert In a Dying Field," "Your Side," "I Want to Listen," "Knees Deep," "Change in the Weather"
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