The Beths: New Zealand's Power Pop Architects

The Beths are a guitar-driven power pop and indie rock band from Auckland, New Zealand, known for their intricate harmonies, energetic live shows, and clever, self-deprecating songwriting. Formed in 2014, the quartet has built a dedicated international following through critically acclaimed albums and relentless touring, establishing themselves as one of the most compelling guitar bands to emerge from the New Zealand music scene in recent years.

Early Career

The Beths originated from the close-knit Auckland music community, with members Elizabeth Stokes (vocals, guitar), Jonathan Pearce (guitar), Benjamin Sinclair (bass), and Ivan Luketina-Johnston (drums) having played in various jazz and punk projects together prior. The band solidified as a vehicle for Stokes's songwriting, initially recording and releasing their debut EP, Warm Blood, in 2016, which showcased their signature blend of crunchy guitar riffs and sweet vocal melodies.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived with their 2018 debut album, Future Me Hates Me, released on the influential New Zealand label Flying Nun Records and internationally on Carpark Records. The album received widespread critical praise for its sharp, relatable lyrics and infectious power pop hooks, leading to extensive tours across North America, Europe, and Australia, and solidifying The Beths' reputation as a formidable new force in indie rock.

Key Tracks

Future Me Hates Me - The title track from their debut album perfectly encapsulates their dynamic sound, pairing anxious lyrics about self-sabotage with an irresistibly upbeat and jangly guitar melody.

Jump Rope Gazers - This single from their second album offers a more subdued, yearning take on their style, highlighting the band's ability to craft poignant melodies and complex vocal harmonies.

Expert In A Dying Field - The title track from their 2022 album builds from a gentle opening into a soaring, cathartic chorus, showcasing the maturation of Stokes's songwriting and the band's expansive musical arrangements.

Their subsequent albums, 2020's Jump Rope Gazers and 2022's Expert In A Dying Field, continued to develop their sound, exploring themes of distance, anxiety, and heartache with increasing sophistication and musical depth, all while maintaining the energetic guitar work that defines their core style.

Artists with a similar melodic sensibility and guitar-focused approach from the same region include the energetic pop-punk of Princess Chess, the jangly, introspective songwriting of Mitski in her earlier work, and the clever, hook-driven rock of Alvvays.