THE BEACHES RETURN WITH ‘NO HARD FEELINGS’
Who hasn’t lived through the chaos of a messy breakup? On No Hard Feelings, The Beaches turn that universal sting into something raw, loud, and gloriously honest. The Toronto band doesn’t just unpack the wreckage of past relationships—they also hold up a mirror to their own friendship, proving that heartbreak isn’t always romantic. The result is an album that’s unapologetically vulnerable, packed with sharp wit and unflinching reflections on what it really means to fall apart and keep moving.
The album kicks off with “Can I Call You in the Morning?”, a chaotic burst of honesty that sets the tone for everything that follows. Sharp, messy, and self-aware, the song swings between sarcasm and vulnerability as it unravels confessions about impulse control and depression, culminating in a chorus that spirals into a biting, almost comedic rant about hating partners, exes, and everyone in between. Beneath the humor lies something deeply relatable: the desperate need to hold on, even when you know you should let go.
Few breakup songs balance humor and heartbreak like “Did I Say Too Much”. The unforgettable line, “Was our whole relationship just your boyfriend’s kink?” captures the frustration of being caught in someone else’s experiment, turning confusion and heartbreak into something cathartic and clever. The track channels the chaos of lesbian heartbreak with wit and relatability.
“Sorry for Your Loss” transforms heartbreak into a mix of closure and mock-serious condolences. With lines like “Send my deepest sympathies / Really shit the bed with me,” The Beaches navigate the sting of betrayal with humor, capturing the awkward aftermath of a messy breakup and turning bitter goodbyes into a cathartic, oddly fun anthem.
“Touch Myself” explores the lingering pull of a past love, capturing the bittersweet tension between desire and memory. From motel showers to heavy nostalgia, the track confronts how even private moments can be haunted by someone who’s gone, reflecting the complex challenge of moving on.
Sometimes love is messy and inevitable, and “Fine, Let’s Get Married” embodies that chaotic energy. Overflowing ashtrays, red flags, and impulsive decisions collide with tender, human moments, making the song a snapshot of love in all its contradictory glory. Playful yet honest, it’s impossible not to relate to.
The lead single, “Takes One to Know One”, sets the album’s tone with wild, unapologetic energy. Throwing Rubbermaid bins and surviving double-date disasters, the track captures the chaos of mutual dysfunction in relationships, with the chorus perfectly summing up the messiness of love and friendship. Sharp humor and biting observations make it chaotic yet relatable.
“I Wore You Better” is a fiery anthem of post-breakup pride and queer heartbreak. With cutting, unforgettable lines like “Now you have your boyfriend wearing my sweater / You can play pretend, but I wore you better,” The Beaches balance raw emotion with infectious energy, reclaiming power while highlighting the sting of being replaced.
The Beaches deliver a no-holds-barred takedown of toxic behavior in “Dirty Laundry”. From drunken misadventures to broken promises, the track is clever, cathartic, and unapologetically honest, turning accountability into an anthem that makes you want to sing along and maybe air out a few skeletons of your own.
Among the most emotionally resonant moments on No Hard Feelings, “Lesbian of the Year” dives into the complexities of coming out later in life, capturing the mix of relief, pressure, and self-discovery that comes with claiming your identity. The Beaches approach the topic with delicacy and honesty, reflecting on personal struggles and the weight of expectations from family and society. It’s a vulnerable, introspective track that shines a light on the challenges of queer identity while celebrating the quiet triumphs of finally being seen.
“Jocelyn” is equal parts confession and confrontation, a sharp look at the gap between who we are and who people think we should be. The Beaches juggle vulnerability and self-awareness, examining the pressure of being admired while feeling unprepared for it. With its messy, restless energy, the track captures the struggle to reconcile personal insecurities with external expectations, making it a quietly liberating moment.
The album closes on a high note with “Last Girls at the Party”, a sparkling, unstoppable anthem that perfectly captures the thrill of owning the night. The Beaches bring carefree energy, cheeky confidence, and a wink of mischief, celebrating being the last ones standing while everyone else has gone home. From the infectious chorus to the playful countdown of party hours, it’s all about living in the moment, grabbing every chance, and refusing to apologize for having fun. It’s flirty, effervescent, and the perfect way to end an album that’s equal parts messy, emotional, and undeniably catchy—proving the party doesn’t have to stop just because the music does.
Everything The Beaches put out is unapologetically real, and their stories resonate because they come from a place of honesty and heart. With No Hard Feelings, they continue to outdo themselves, constantly putting their best foot forward, crafting music so raw and relatable that it connects with listeners on a deeply personal level. Listen to the album and catch them on the NO HARD FEELINGS tour this fall—you won’t want to miss it.