Experience the Joy of “Beauty’s Pride” with Born Ruffians

After a long stream of singles, the latest album by Born Ruffians is finally here! The Canadian indie group has been hard at work since the release of the JUICE, SQUEEZE, and PULP trilogy. The new album, Beauty’s Pride, features an eclectic variety of dance beats, experimental tracks, and heartfelt ballads. It was even accompanied by the release of a short film made in collaboration with award-winning director and cinematographer Jared Raab. There is a lot to explore with this album, especially because it was in production for over three years.

The name Beauty’s Pride comes from a purple bicycle that guitarist and vocalist Luke Lalonde found in India. At first, it was a bit of a joke, but as time passed, that phrase began to take on more meaning for Lalonde. After the birth of his first child, Lalonde felt that “Beauty’s Pride” perfectly described all the feelings of becoming a parent.

The album’s opener, “Mean Time,” may start slow, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. Spacey synths and a pounding drumbeat make it feel like everything in the world is happening all at once– because it is. When writing the song, Luke Lalonde drew inspiration from the autobiography of author Vladimir Nabokov. Specifically, Lalonde was drawn to the idea of life being a flash of light between two infinite pools of darkness. There’s a beauty in that impermanence that shouldn’t be wasted.

Sometimes that beauty is overshadowed by fear. “To Be Seen” and “Let You Down” both focus on the depression that can blind us to the good things life has to offer. “To Be Seen” sees the narrator stuck in bed, unable to fight the negative thoughts. I found it extremely relatable, and I think it will strike a chord with anyone who has ever dealt with depression or anxiety.

Anxious feelings are also the focus of “Can We Go Now,” which was written and performed by keyboardist Maddy Wilde. Often the first to start the party, Wilde was also the first to leave the party. “Can We Go Now” captures the feeling of being stuck in an event you don’t want to be at. The slow psychedelic rhythms make it feel like everything else has stopped while you are trapped in your thoughts. The entire song has a dream-like quality that makes it even more compelling.

Altogether, Beauty’s Pride is a fantastic, cohesive album. There are plenty of hidden gems on this album to enjoy. Over half of the songs have less than 10,000 streams on Spotify. Be sure to give Born Ruffians some love!

My Top 3 Tracks for Beauty’s Pride:

• To Be Seen
• Mean Time
• Can We Go Now

Beauty’s Pride is out now on Yep Roc Records.