Album review: Blame My Ex by The Beaches
The Toronto icons show how they’ve matured with their current work — moving yet introspective
The Beaches second album, Blame My Ex, showcases a different tone that uses melancholic rock and mellow harmonies, and is worth checking out. (Becca Hamel/Submitted)
If you’re in need of some comforting music during the cold rain of the fall season, look no further than Toronto rock band, The Beaches. Their newest album Blame My Ex was released on Sept. 15 with a global fall tour that’s already seen sold out concerts across the world, including Canada. The band won’t disappoint long-time fans and new listeners with an enjoyable but more mature take to their sound.
The group consists of lead singer Jordan Miller, her sister Kylie Miller, both of whom along with Leandra Earl play guitar, and drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel. Together, they’ve become one of the most iconic mainstays in the Canadian music scene. Their success has only expanded through their multiple recognitions at the Juno Awards.
What will surprise you about their newest work is how different its tone is from their past singles and albums. Blame My Ex uses melancholic rock and mellow harmonies to explore what a young person feels everyday, from the fear of missing out to the boredom of mundane lifestyles.
The Beaches have grown since their early days as a group, and it shows in their music. Miller and her bandmates tackle subjects about youth that remain relatable without becoming too grandiose. That’s not to say their soundtrack is completely full of downers.
The band’s songs provide some rock antics that remind listeners of their notable vibrancy. One of my favourite tracks, “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid,” starts with a heavy bass and swinging guitar lick, only to be greeted by Miller’s anguished but tender vocals. The piece wonderfully pairs a frustrated attitude with catchy pop choruses.
Like many current artists, the band also tells anecdotes about love that has come and gone in a fair number of their tracks. The band uses painful vocals that reflect how euphoric yet sorrowful it can be when thinking about former romances or other aspects of our past.
The album feels extremely contemplative, a disarming ponderance that balances the typical love theme with how memories and sentiment are ingrained within us as we mature into adulthood.
The song “If A Tree Falls” is a solemn melody with Earl and the Miller sisters’ winding guitar strums backed by Enman-McDaniel’s reserved drum patterns. This arrangement elevates Miller’s endearing vocals about reminiscing in the pain our past selves went through but trying to resist doing so. The band recognizes our inner contradictions without judgment.
The only critique I’ll say is I still prefer their previous work, namely their 2021 EP Future Lovers and their 2017 album Late Show. The energetic and stylish beats bursting from these collections make this older music so much more memorable.
While I don’t see myself listening to Blame My Ex on repeat, I nonetheless respect it as a symbol of the band’s maturity. Above all, the album will be a satisfying experience that gives fans the comfort they want and the stories they need to hear. Enough of my words, though, time to relax with The Beaches.
Final Score: 8/10
Favourite Tracks: “Blame Brett,” “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid,” “Shower Beer,” “If A Tree Falls.”
