It’s only late April, and “The Record” is already my Album of the Year. I’d love to hear another album topple it.
Any album with a lyric: “Will you be a nihilist with me? If nothing matters, man, that’s a relief.” (the track, “Satanist.”) Well, that’s an album that already warms my heart in the weirdest of ways.
“The Record” is the debut studio album by American indie rock supergroup boygenius consisting of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. With this album, the trio has succeeded in delivering a profoundly emotional and beautifully crafted piece, which just showcases its three members’ incredible talent. It’s a must-listen for indie folk, indie rock fans, and anyone who appreciates thoughtful, heartfelt songwriting.
There aren’t any bad tracks. The opener, the brief acapella, where they all sing “Without You Without Them,” sets the immediate tone:
“Give me everything you’ve got. I’ll take what I can get.”
It then swings immediately into Baker’s “$20,” a punky rocker, where Baker sings, “It’s a bad idea, and I’m all about it,” and it ends with Bridgers wailing her heart out (reminiscent of – but nowhere near – her screaming at the end of “I Know The End” from her 2020 album, “Punisher”).
Bridgers takes over next with the gorgeous “Emily, I’m Sorry,” which was the lead single off the album. “I’m twenty-seven, and I don’t know who I am, but I know what I want.” The song is mostly Bridgers (Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker sing soothing backing vocals throughout). It finishes before you know it.
The album then shifts to Lucy Dacus with another single, the dreamy “True Blue,” a song that sounds melancholy but is so touching and beautiful, typical of Lucy. What appears to be a sad song isn’t: “But it feels good to be known so well. I can’t hide from you like I hide from myself. I remember who I am when I’m with you. Your love is tough, your love is tried and true blue.“
It is a stroke of genius. The album’s brief opener with the three of them stripped back, with no instruments, together. But then having the album then genuinely start with the three of them, each in turn singing three lead singles, each closely resembling their respective writers.
One of the album’s highlights is easily “Not Strong Enough,” where all three come together again. They all sing along to the album’s poppiest tune (*not saying much alert*), with Bridgers and Baker trading lines such as, “I lied, I am just lowering your expectations,” and then Lucy Dacus joining in the fun with the bridge, “Always an angel, never a god,” over and over until the end: “Skip the exit to our old street and go home. Go home alone.”
Yes, that is one of the most popular tracks on the album. I checked Spotify.
It follows with a Phoebe Bridgers solo track, “Revolution 0”: “I don’t want to die. That’s a lie – I’m afraid to get sick.” It’s pretty beautiful, in a very Phoebe Bridgers way. (Originally, it was going to be called “Paul is Dead“).
“The Satanist” is probably my favorite song on the album. Lyrically, it is superb. All three are contributing for the final time.
“Will you be a Satanist with me? Mortgage off your soul to buy your dream? Vacation home in Florida??”
Yes, Florida. If you were going to be a Satanist in 2023, where would you be?
It’s fantastic, hooky, and slows at the end with a swirly, dizzying outro. It’s a perfect indie rock song that shines on this album, and it’s just a lot of fun to listen to.
The album then finishes with the three leading each piece, like the beginning of the album, but in reverse order. So Ducas, Baker, and finally Bridgers.
Baker’s “Anti-Curse” is the highlight. It’s deep stuff. Julien went to a public beach, and even though Phoebe warned her about the high tide, she went anyway. “I got pummeled by the waves to where I couldn’t keep my head up long enough to get my bearings. I have this macho bone in my body that I was like, “I’m pretty fit, and I can hold my own in the ocean.” I could not. I could’ve drowned.“
She made it back and ended up: “Writin’ the words to thе worst love song you’ve ever heard.”
And, of course, the end, Phoebe Bridgers. “Letter to an Old Poet.” Well, it’s her song, but all three of them end up singing, which is beautiful. And lyrically amazing.
“When you fell down the stairs, it looked like it hurt, and I wasn’t sorry. I shoulda left you right there. With your hostages, my heart, and my car keys.“
“You don’t know me.“
So, no love lost.
But finally, the album closes on what I think is a happy tone:
“I wanna be happy. I’m ready to walk into my room without looking for you. I’ll go up the top of our building and remember my dog when I see the full moon.”
“I can’t feel it yet, but I am waiting.“
With “The Record,” the trio of boygenius has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in the music world, and, well, I am eagerly awaiting their next venture. I hope there is another one, as Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Ducas have really shown a light here with this album: just real friendship and respect for each other.
It’s sad, it’s happy, it’s funny, it’s bittersweet. It’s gratifying.
Please, don’t miss out – it’s a 2023 masterpiece.
9.5/10
Chris Garrod, April 24, 2023