The Beths

oh damn, this is out today?

The release show at the Powerstation last night was p.fun, though a bit nerve-wracking to be in such a tightly-packed crowd for the first time since lockdown. Title track of the new album worked really well live, "I'm Not Getting Excited" was a great set-opener, and for "Dying To Believe" they dragged out Rose Matafeo and local Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick. Opener Phoebe Rings was a jazz-school-y take on Stereolab/Cocteau Twins, and had the Beths' bassist Ben guest on clarinet for a track.

They were on Radio New Zealand's mixtape yesterday; hour-long show w/some interesting digressions.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/2018754435/the-mixtape-the-beths

Che Fu - "Misty Frequencies"
Ella Fitzgerald / Oscar Peterson - "Lush Life"
Death Cab For Cutie - "The Sound of Settling"
Anthonie Tonnon - "Water Underground"
Chelsea Jade - "Lowbrow"
Lomelda - "Interstate Vision"

At long last i figured it out: Title track sounds like Camera Obscura

Something is missing :(

I'm sad to see a fairly muted reaction to the new album in general but I had a feeling it was coming. It hasn't hit me the same way Future Me Hates Me did but that album is absolutely perfect. I still have a lot of love for this.

I think I like 'em about the same in different ways. They have surprisingly distinct ~vibes~

yeah they're about equal for me with the new one having higher highs but is maybe a little less consistent

Future Me Hates Me is definitely the better record but I do love the new one a lot, even if it feels like it suffers from awkward-second-album-syndrome at times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_5uVLoiTVk

nice!

i've listened to the new one several times, and although i do think the debut was more consistent, there are still 4-5 songs on jump rope gazers that i like a bunch, and that's about on par with the debut as well. i think they're good at picking singles! but there are a couple others i also really like.

dying to believe
i'm not getting excited
mars, the god of war
out of sight
jump rope gazers

do you want me now
just shy of sure

you are a beam of light
acrid

don't go away

Played at least 10 times now. All of this hits for me. It's so sweet.

album is nice, doesn’t sing to me quite like the first one. there’s a little bit less muscle in these tunes, and the pre-release tracks are far and away the highlights.

that said, ‘dying to believe’ is one of the best songs ive ever heard in my life.

I've been connecting with the mellower tracks on this album: the title track is the clear standout, but also "just shy of sure", "you are a beam of light", and "out of sight".
That live version of "out of sight" posted this morning is better than the album version -- the musicianship really comes through, and it's got a lot more energy. That drummer is such an asset.

Same here. After initially thinking there were too many mellow songs on here, they've become my favourites. You Are A Beam Of Light is so beautiful.

Seeing these tonight. My first gig of the year

Wow. Outdoors? Or indoors?

jealous of you, but happy they're able to do a little touring. are you in Christchurch? xp

Album still on heavy rotation

this album has become my go-to sulking-during-the-pandemic soundtrack. I love it and that pitchfork review is objectively wrong

so, after considering Future Me Hates Me a top 10 album of the past decade and then being a bit underwhelmed by the new one, i have listened many more times and recognized the incredible genius and beauty of Jump Rope Gazers, and now consider this band to be arguably the best on the planet.

no one is writing melodies better than Liz. that title track, my god.

Welcome

Yeah, I saw that they placed on the tracks poll for 2020, but not for the title track!

(other favorites from the 2nd album: Just Shy of Sure, Out of Sight, You Are A Beam of Light)

so, after considering Future Me Hates Me a top 10 album of the past decade and then being a bit underwhelmed by the new one, i have listened many more times and recognized the incredible genius and beauty of Jump Rope Gazers, and now consider this band to be arguably the best on the planet.

no one is writing melodies better than Liz. that title track, my god.

― alpine static

I had that exact same experience earlier in the year. It definitely took me a few listens and yeah, they're pretty much my favourite band in the world right now. This band are special.

A friend just turned me on to Beach Bunny, who sound kinda Beths-y.

unfortunately i forgot to submit nominations for this year's track poll but i 100 per cent would have nominated the title track. it's fucking breathtaking.

Voted for the album but didn't vote on the tracks poll as wanted to vote for Out of Sight but it wasn't nominated.

Easily one of my favourite albums from last year.

A friend just turned me on to Beach Bunny, who sound kinda Beths-y.

― DJI

I mentioned them on the 2021 indie thread as the EP they just put out is fantastic. I picked up their album after seeing a few mentions of them in The Beths shoutbox on Rate Your Music.

title track on jump rope gazers is the best song ever written by anybody

"mars the god of war" is the point of the album where my brain can no longer handle how good this band is

"just shy of sure" ;_;

the beths!!!!!!

welcome :')

the truth is i didn't listen to future me hates me until it placed on the ilx year-end list.... and i did the SAME THING. AGAIN. LAST YEAR

BRAD

title track on jump rope gazers is the best song ever written by anybody

― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Wednesday, February 3, 2021 5:34 PM (fifty-eight minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

i love these kinds of posts

I always thought this seemed like a very Brad friendly album. You Are A Beam Of Light makes me think of the ballads on After Laughter.

I should revisit the new one, often find if a record wasn't quite what I was expecting I can come back to it later and appreciate it better without all the expectations

yes you should because that's *exactly* what happened to me

listen with headphones, treasure the guitar tone, luxuriate in the background vocals, let the melodies carry you out of this world

the truth is i didn't listen to future me hates me until it placed on the ilx year-end list.... and i did the SAME THING. AGAIN. LAST YEAR

― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Wednesday, February 3, 2021 6:17 PM (two hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

Same.

This record is as great as FMHM, which I didn't think was possible.

the slowed down part in "don't go away".... pure rock power

I think I like 'em about the same in different ways. They have surprisingly distinct ~vibes~

― k*r*n koltrane (Simon H.), Friday, July 17, 2020 10:07 PM (six months ago) bookmarkflaglink

I was right and I'm glad voters agreed

I love watching them play

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lj6m0BXxRY

i'm listening again and maybe it really should have been on my ballot but this year was so stacked

This record is just 40 minutes of earworms.

It's stunning just how good they sound in that KEXP clip

I would like to read a very wonky interview about how Liz and Longhair handle songwriting, production, etc. Essentially, I would just like to know if she is a timeless, heart-stopping super-genius or if *together* they are a timeless, heart-stopping super-genius team. (No doubting or dismissing Liz implied here, to be clear.)

I would also like to know if Longhair writes his own songs and if so I would like to hear them.

was reminded by instagram that i saw them live at music hall of williamsburg two years ago today. hopefully again soon.

I remember seeing a beths interview (maybe it was their KEXP performance?) where longhair says that Liz basically runs the show.

https://www.13thfloor.co.nz/interview-elizabeth-stokes-of-the-beths/

Liz writes music and lyrics and then brings them to band who help some with arrangements.

just now listening to the new one... how is this album even possible?!