If The Beaches’ last two albums, Late Show and Blame My Ex were their pride, then this long-awaited third album, No Hard Feelings, is almost certainly their joy. The Canadian alt/pop-rock quartet offer a more infectious; well-crafted; well-rounded sound from start to finish. The album is a masterclass in how to balance eclectic genres and powerful song lyrics with the art of camp—whilst remaining bold and boisterous.
No Hard Feelings opens in a mood. The first track, ’Can I Call You In The Morning’ sets the tone for the entire album. It is at times fun and bubbly but has a capricious chorus with some wickedly sharp lyrics such as: “If anyone asks, I’m feeling great / I’m not even mad, look at my face”. These lyrics are solemnly expressive and serve as a juxtaposition to the catchy melody; making this track feel like it’s a mash up between early work of Blondie and the more recent work of Wolf Alice—all the best parts, naturally!
Then, come two of the most uplifting break-up anthems of the year in the form of, ‘Did I Say Too Much’ and ‘Sorry For Your Loss’. They are the most methodical and strategically placed tracks on the album—in terms of their structure. However, pThe Beaches still manage to make both records feel lyrically thrilling and fluid. Jordan Miller’s well-controlled husky belt makes lines such as “Why did I speak too soon? / So, real to me, girl, is it real for you?” and “Send my deepest sympathies / Really shit the bed with me” raucously ooze out of their slower, more contained, jangly tempos.
Although these tracks provide some more mature, self-reflective moments, the band’s boisterous, infectiously fun nature is very much still central to No Hard Feelings. Speaking on the cheeky meaning behind the fourth track off the album, ’Touch Myself’, guitarist and keyboardist, Leandra Earl, humorously explains in an interview with ‘Wonderland Magazine‘ that: “Since my breakup I had found it difficult to ~touch myself~ without thinking of my ex. That is UNTIL I had a sexy little confusing dream about Jeremy Allen White that got me thinking and feeling again. Yes, chef.” Although a witty anecdote, Earl’s words showcase that The Beaches are still very much adamant on maintaining their youthful, joyful and unashamedly sexual musical presence.
No Hard Feelings doesn’t leave you with any opportunity to forget the fact that pop sits at the core of their music either. The Beaches have this incredible ability to blend all the best qualities of pop; all the best qualities of indie and alternative rock and come out with their own distinct pop/rock sound. Although the likes of Wet Leg and the Lambrini Girls are also blending these genres to create a dead-pan pop sound in the post-punk moment, The Beaches still manage to make it feel completely exclusive to them—track number nine. ‘Lesbian Of The Year’ is a perfect example of this.
The album’s penultimate track, ‘Jocelyn’, has a chorus that will leave you hooked—it is wildly spirited from the get go. Although it is about the pain of still being in love with an ex, it manages to perk you up with a pulsating pop beat. It is shrouded in jumpy jangles, moments of minimalism and jaw-dropping riffs executed to perfection by guitarist and backing vocalist, Kylie Miller. Lyrics like “Why do you still look up to me Jocelyn, Jocelyn? / You just got your PhD in Politics” just hit the spot with them cleverly edging on to the cusp of satire.
’Jocelyn’ gets you nicely ready for the final track of the album, ‘Last Girls at the Party’, which resembles one of their earlier singles, ’Fascination’, particularly in tone. It’s the song equivalent of drinking too much tequila and falling over after singing the whole of Dannii Minogue’s Neon Nights to an empty karaoke bar. The track is kitsch, flamboyant and beyond catchy. It epitomises those pinnacle moments of one’s youth: partying too much with friends, dancing like no one is watching, all whilst trying to stay grounded.
No Hard Feelings is a rebellious riot through love, sex, friendship and maturing. It makes you want to both joyously dance and joyously cry with your favourite tipple in hand—if cheekily sticking your tongue out whilst sticking two fingers up to the sky (and your ex) was an album, this would be it!
No Hard Feelings was released on 29 August 2025 and is available now on all streaming platforms.
Words by Cory Gourley
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