advertisement
FYI

Beams: You Are An Ocean

The acclaimed Toronto folk-rock septet teases a forthcoming sophomore album with an advance single that showcases the expressive vocals and imaginative lyrics of Anna Mernieks. This will leave you craving more.

Beams: You Are An Ocean

By Kerry Doole

Beams - "You Are An Ocean" (Independent): Toronto folk-rock combo Beams made a mark with its 2013 debut release, Just Rivers¸ and plans to release its next album, Teach Me To Love, on Feb. 23. A long time in the making, the band explains that  "during the writing of the record, lead singer/songwriter Anna Mernieks went down a mental spiral that wreaked havoc on her personal and artistic life." Given that the group has scheduled an upcoming North American tour, it would seem she is back on track.


This lead single, recorded and mixed by Ian Gomes and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Peter J. Moore, is impressive, with sophisticated and yet subtle production flourishes boosting the sound of the septet.

advertisement

"You Are An Ocean" showcases the clear and expressive voice of Mernieks, and is ably enhanced with a chorus of backing vocal tracks. Lyrically, it connects the individual and the universal, with such intriguing lyrics as "skin is just a membrane, not a wall at all." At 2.27 in length, it is a concise track that leaves us thirsting for more.

Beams plays six North American shows in February, including dates at This Ain't Hollywood in Hamilton (Feb. 21) and Smiling Buddha in Toronto (Feb. 23). A full itinerary here

advertisement
Eric Wong (left) and Kristen Burke
Courtesy Photo

Eric Wong (left) and Kristen Burke

Record Labels

Eric Wong To Lead Warner Music Canada After Kristen Burke Steps Down

Burke announced the news in a letter to staff today. Wong comes to Warner Music Canada from his role as President of East West Records and Head of Global A&R at Warner Music Group.

Kristen Burke is stepping down as President of Warner Music Canada. She will be succeeded by Eric Wong, President of East West Records and Head of Global A&R at Warner Music Group.

Burke announced the news in a letter to staff and obtained by Billboard Canada today (Sept. 17).

keep readingShow less
advertisement