Bittersweet and Upbeat

In the two years since their last album, New Zealand pop indie band The Beths worked at home throughout the pandemic on their latest project. The group is composed of Elizabeth Stokes (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Jonathan Pearce (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Benjamin Sinclair (Bass, Vocals) and Tristan Deck (Drums). Originally from Auckland, The Beths have a background in studying jazz and swing music, which contributes to their whimsical sound. They bring a pop-swing energy to the independent rock genre. They’re known for the dichotomy between the sweet melodies and depressing content they carry. 

The new album pulls a lot of its heart from vocalist and songwriter Elizabeth Stokes’ life. In a way, it is a semi-biographical story in how it captures both the uneasiness and manic feeling of a relationship past its due. Feelings as wild and varied as regret, panic, anger, wistfulness and contentment run passionately through the album. As each song goes through different emotional journeys, there’s a sense of true sincerity in Stokes’ lyricism, encouraged and supported by the harsh and powerful guitar from her bandmates Pearce and Sinclair. One track that stands out is “Silence is Golden.” The exciting and chaotic guitar echoes a desperation and energy that listeners can interpret as a musical panic attack. This highlights the artist’s craving for the silence, demonstrated by the catchy and repetitive chorus. The top-notch songwriting is not only limited to the lyrics, but to how each song is constructed; from the instrumentation to the motifs present throughout the album. 

Expert In a Dying Field uses recurring motifs to reinforce the ideas of love and loss. For instance, in “2am,” the last track features a lyrical line from the first track, also titled “Expert In a Dying Field.” The first line we hear on the album is “Can we erase our history.” That musical theme is introduced and reinforced in the first track. At the end of “2am,” an instrumental version of that line is played. Suggesting that we are ending where we have begun. The title track is asking the listener to consider how ending a relationship doesn’t end the memories made and the mutual impact made on the other. “2am” is about wishing you could go back to the way things were before any of the pain that comes with love. It’s reinforced when the musical cue asks us to erase the history and pain that has happened but in the end, you can’t. You and the other person have made your mark on each other, and both of you have to live with that.

Expert In a Dying Field is a great listen to throw on if you’re feeling upbeat, melancholy or just want to feel bittersweet during some bad times.