It’s unclear whether the Beauts are in a love affair with another human or Halifax in their first official album release, Dalliance.
In their first song, “The City Loves Me,” their conundrum is present. They sing, “the city loves me, because it won’t let go.”
It’s clear they connect their growth as people and as a band to the city. Many songs connect relationship themes to parts of the city, such as cabs, receipts or standing around fire. But the question remains, will it be a short-lived relationship as the album’s title suggests? Will things end?
Every song starts off with establishing their percussion, guitar and a fair bit of dreamy reverb. The listener has time to get comfortable with the sound before each set of lyrics start.
Almost every song has a tune that seems familiar and unshakeable. After listening to the album four or five times, the choruses will follow you. I would be surprised if people didn’t chant “blame it on our bodies” or “hurry, hurry, come and dig your hands in the earth” at their live shows.
Just like “Everything” is their slow song, but after that, the songs build up to be louder, faster until they end on “Shut In.” “Drifters All,” a song that discusses the fracture and break-ups of relationships, is one of their most catchy tunes, but also one of their saddest with lyrics such as, “no words, no love can hold us together.” “Hurry” reminds of the urgency of life and its impermanence.
“Shut In” brings us back to the initial question. Will they stay or will they go?
Dalliance is a nostalgic reflection on good times and sad times. Of comfort and excitement. Of fighting and making up. Of fractures and connection.
It’s a good album.