The Beths “Future Me Hates Me”
Auckland, New Zealand indie-rockers the Beths have a terrific debut that checks all the right boxes. Lead by the angelic vocals of lead singer Elizabeth Stokes, she hooks you right away and keeps you listening. The album focuses on her lack of confidence, self-doubt and does it with tight songwriting and punk-fueled energy. Prior to forming the band, all four members studied jazz at the University of Auckland, but this ain’t jazz. It is pop perfection.
It starts out slowly with the unassuming “Great No One” but by the chorus, you are hooked. The title track is a mainstream “hit” if ever there was such a thing with buzzing riffs underneath Stokes high chirp and soft emotions. “Uptown Girl” is a frantic power pop gem with innocence and fun riffs that don’t quit about “going out tonight.” Jonathan Pearce is an excellent guitar lead as his riffs on “You Wouldn’t Like Me” and “Happy Unhappy” push the narrative along. The chaotic “Little Death” is more introspective, as the longer songs here tend to be. “Whatever” is the final catchy gem. There are so many good tunes here, all memorable, that grow on you very quickly. This makes it a nominee for my top ten of 2018 list.
Everet Almond “Everet Almond”
New York singer-songwriter and drummer Everet Almond was on my radar in 2015 with his first EP, but this year he has released a boatload of music. This self-titled LP starts with a very Beatlesque gem “Local Magistrate” full of big piano chords and harmonies. The bouncy “I Love You” is another pop gem that’s got some McCartney DNA and the easy strumming style of “I Saw Her In The Morning” is another compelling acoustic tune with a sweet middle eight.
The piano tunes “Beautiful Neighbor” and “Anytime You Need” recall late era Stories with its harmony-laden choruses. Most everything here works, and he continues to produce EPs that are worth exploring. And if you want to explore the whole bag of Almond’s past work, Kool Kat Musik has several other collections including Windsor Field and Introduction to Everet Almond. So far everything here is highly recommended.
