The Beaches release new album ‘Blame My Ex’

Photo Credit: Becca Hammel

Coming off their viral single ‘Blame Brett,’ Canadian rock darlings The Beaches continue their upward trajectory with their Blame My Ex LP, out today (September 15th) via AWAL. The album arrives with new highlight single ‘Shower Beer,’ a frolicking, sweet instrumental is juxtaposed against the anxiety of feeling incapable of maintaining a healthy relationship, displayed by the lyric “I’ve got fear of missing out / I want to get drunk and slip up / I need to be talked about.” Fresh off the festival circuit having recently played Lollapalooza, the quartet will soon kick off their headlining North American tour, performing to crowds across 25 shows in their native Canada as well as the United State, the majority of which have sold out.

The Beaches exhibit new maturity on the record, melding gritty, groovy instrumentals with sharp, specific lyricism as they explore the triumphs and disappointments of mid-20s growing pains. Sometimes funny, sometimes caustic, but always authentic, Blame My Ex is a satisfying mashup of anthemic bops and tender, introspective tracks that touches on heartbreak, transition, and growth. This is epitomised from the onset with infectious opening track ‘Blame Brett,’ teasing just the briefest hint of lead singer Jordan Miller’s isolated vocals before the frenetic instrumentals explode into life behind her. The track is unapologetically chaotic and shamelessly audacious, carving out a niche as a totally unique take on the break up anthem. But beneath the nonchalant facade there is a deep well of vulnerability and anguish. Miller sings; “I’m sorry in advance / I’m only gonna treat you bad / I’m probably gonna let you down / I’m probably gonna sleep around.” 

‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid’ is another album highlight, lamenting the trials of self-doubt in relationships, putting a spin on the classic adage and bluntly singing “what doesn’t kill you makes you paranoid / what doesn’t kill you makes you feel like your love ain’t s***.” Earlier single ‘Me & Me’ is a beachy, soft rock jam perfectly suited for the summer, with an infectious guitar riff rolling smoothly in the background while Jordan’s distinctive alto asserts the group’s determination to conquer heartache and loneliness with moxie. High-spirited and addictive, it’s yet another perfect example of the charisma that distinguishes The Beaches as one of contemporary rock’s rising stars.

Named after the neighbourhood they lived in and formed in their mid-teens whilst in high school, The Beaches is composed of lead vocalist/bassist Jordan Miller, guitarist Kylie Miller, keyboardist/guitarist Leandra Earl, and drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel. After releasing their self-titled EP in 2013, the group landed a major label deal with Island Records in 2016, releasing their debut album Late Show and a string of EPs under the label. They have garnered over 60 million combined streams and currently have over 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Having sold 30,000 albums in Canada, it’s no surprise that they have found themselves awarded with six #1 singles on Canadian Alternative Radio. The Beaches have opened for iconic acts such as The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters, as well as many other critically acclaimed artists (Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morisette, The Aces, Passion Pit, and Eagles of Death Metal). Their last album was described by Elton John as “The best rock album of last year,” and they’ve been recognized with two Juno Awards: Rock Album of the Year (2022) and Breakthrough Group of the Year (2018).

The Beaches – Blame My Ex
Tracklisting:

01. Blame Brett
02. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid
03. Me & Me
04. Everything Is Boring
05. My Body Ft. Your Lips (with Beach Weather)
06. Kismet
07. Shower Beer
08. Edge of the Earth
09. If A Tree Falls
10. Cigarette

The Beaches – Live Dates 2023

8 October | Milwaukee, WI, US | The Cooperage – *Sold Out*
11 October | Nashville, TN, US | The East Room – *Sold Out*
12 October | Atlanta, GA, US | Aisle 5 – *Sold Out*
13 October | Charleston, SC, US | Charleston Pour House
15 October | Washington, DC, US | Pearl Street Warehouse – *Sold Out*
16 October | Philadelphia, PA, US | Kung Fu Necktie – *Sold Out*
17 October | New York, NY, US | Mercury Lounge – *Sold Out*
18 October | Boston, MA, US | Crystal Ballroom – *Sold Out*
20 October | Halifax, CA | Light House Arts Centre  *Sold Out*
21 October | Moncton, CA | Tide & Boar Ballroom – *Sold Out*
26 October | Kitchener, CA | Centre in the Square – *Sold Out*
27 October | Hamilton, CA | Ontario Concert Hall – *Sold Out*
28 October | Montreal, CA | MTELUS
30 October | Kingston, CA | The Ale House – *Sold Out*
1-2 November | Toronto, CA | Massey Hall – *Sold Out*
5 November | Winnipeg, CA | Burton Cummings Theatre  *Sold Out*
8 November | Edmonton, CA | Midway Music Hall – *Sold Out*
9 November | Calgary, CA | MacEwan Hall – *Sold Out*
10 November | Kelowna, CA | Kelowna Community Theater – *Sold Out*
12 November | Vancouver, CA | Orpheum Theatre  *Sold Out*
13 November | Victoria, CA | Royal Theatre – *Sold Out*