The Beths sophomore album, Jump Rope Gazers, glows — but not in the way you’d expect. That glow comes from more unexpected sources like unconditional and long distance love, fear and vulnerability. A departure from their previous release Future Me, Hates Me, Jump Rope Gazers shows a heightened emotional maturity, while also demonstrating self-preservation and realization. The sound is indie pop blended with pop-rock; a mix between Forth Wanders and Cayetana with a sprinkle of Remember Sports.
Jump Rope Gazers was inspired by the band leaving their homes in Australia to tour in Europe and North America. Their friends and families were left behind and they used music as a way to communicate their struggle of leaving what they knew to pursue their dreams and dive headfirst into an unknown future.
From the first track “I’m Not Getting Excited”, Elizabeth Stokes (vocals/guitar) is caught in the balance — struggling with the excitement of the now, while anticipating the inevitable disappointment that might follow. The guitar intro ironically buzzes excitedly and carries throughout the song while she battles with herself, singing “I’m not getting excited/‘Cause my fight and my flight are divided/And so I don’t enthuse/Keep my grip on joy loose”.
The next 9 tracks of the album are ripe with power ballads and melodic riffs that give way to the realness of missing friends and family and the vulnerability of fear of the unknown.
In “Dying to Believe”, Stokes sings about the painful process of growing apart from a person she was close to. She sings, “It’s such a pity I can feel you building up to/A hurt eruption I won’t try to interrupt. Throughout the track, Stokes is at war with herself, trying to decide whether to continue to keep the relationship afloat or to let it go. Demonstrating her emotional maturity even further on “Do You Want Me Now”, Stokes has an internal battle between wanting to communicate her feelings or giving this other person the space and time to decide how they feel on their terms.
While Stokes sings about wanting to open up, the album also leans heavy into the theme of longing. In a statement released by the band, Stokes said, “When you’re home, you miss everybody, and when you’re away, you miss everybody. We were just missing people all the time.” Those feelings were apparent in tracks “Acrid” and “Don’t Go Away” as well.
The uproarious melodies and tender riffs make this album one to celebrate. In a time where everyone is distancing, missing your family and friends has become sort of the norm. Anxiety and uncertainty are undoubtedly part of our reality right now and this album understands that in a fresh and familiar way. The Beths have given us relatable anthems with hard hitting truths that make this time of isolation feel less lonely.
‘Jump Rope Gazers’ is out now. Keep up with The Beths on Instagram
