On The Beths’ third studio album, Expert In A Dying Field, Elizabeth Stokes’ songwriting places her somewhere between being a novelist and a documentarian. The songs are autobiographical, but they’re also character sketches of relationships and, more importantly, their aftermaths. The question that hangs in the air: What do you do with how intimately versed you’ve become in a person once they’re gone from your life? ‘How does it feel to be an expert in a dying field? How do you know it’s over when you can’t let go?’ Stokes asks on the album’s title track. ‘Love is learned over time ‘til you’re an expert in a dying field.
As in all songs created out of The Beths’ working relationship, Expert In A Dying Field affirms the deep bond between Stokes, lead guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair and drummer Tristan Deck. Precariously balancing urgency and quiet resolve, the band showcase their signature all-member harmonies and bright, raucous guitar hooks. Filled with acutely cut-to-the-bone lyrics and playfully chaotic, hook-filled melodies, Expert In A Dying Field contains 12 tight, guitar-heavy songs that worm their way into your head – an incandescent collision of powerpop and skuzz.
Tracklist
- Expert in a Dying Field
- Knees Deep
- Silence Is Golden
- Your Side
- I Want to Listen
- Head in the Clouds
- Best Left
- Change in the Weather
- When You Know You Know
- A Passing Rain
- I Told You That I Was Afraid
- 2AM
