The Beaches Embrace their Flaws in New Single, “Jocelyn”
Picture by Meg Moon
Beloved Canadian indie alternative group, The Beaches, have released “Jocelyn:” a new song where they express their vulnerability by pondering what it takes to achieve fame while remembering they are simply human. Simultaneously, they must navigate the self-doubt and emotional weight that comes with the job.
Guitarist of the band Kylie Miller said in an interview with Rolling Stone about the track, “When you’re feeling so low, but people are looking up to you for the first time. It’s an odd thing to go through, and we wanted to write a song about that experience because even your idols can be flawed. But we like to connect with our fans on a personal level; we left the show last night and we made time to chat with them. It can feel disconnected, so it’s nice to meet these people who love you and find out what they’re going through, too. “
The chorus of the track, “What do you even see in me, Jocelyn? / Why do you still look up at me Jocelyn? / You just got your PhD in Politics / And I'm just phoning it in,” talks about how their fans put them on a pedestal, reminding us that regardless of the adoration and the confidence the public gives, there is still a vulnerable human nature behind the artist. The intimacy of this song’s lyrical content feels personal yet relatable as it touches on the theme of struggling with one’s achievements despite external validation, giving us also the sense of imposter syndrome and an unsettling feeling of not living up to the expectations of those who look up to us.
With the track being carried by incredible guitar riffs by Leandra Earl and Kylie Miller, and a hooking drum beat, the vocals of Jordan Miller become a full force. The guitars offer duality as they themselves feel like a voice, helping the centerpiece vocals evoke even more emotion. Jordan Miller’s vocals deliver an emotional performance while at the same time balancing intensity. The steady drumbeat, perfectly crafted by Eliza Enman, creates a perfect backbone to the track, keeping everything grounded while at the same time adding intensity to the track.
“So perplexing coming up, when my esteem was on the floor/ I headlined at the Troubadour and wondered what they came here for,” are lyrics that embrace the feeling of disbelief The Beaches feel about the unbelievable support from fans. Los Angeles’ Troubadour demonstrates the success the band has had especially after they released their fan favorite album, Blame My Ex, but the band still questions their worth and purpose behind their fan administration, creating a conflict between external success and internal insecurity.
The band expressed that these themes of embracing their flaws and holding accountability to themselves will carry on within their next project, teasing a new era of music. The Beaches are going on tour this fall in North America get your tickets here.
Listen to “Jocelyn” below.
