Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Tomorrow boygenius – the indie supergroup comprised of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus – are set to release their highly anticipated debut album the record. Following up their titular 2018 EP, the trio expand on the sounds they previously explored and hone into their true power as a unit with a harmonious blend of intricate melodies, devastatingly relatable lyrics, and the quintessence of a bond only best friends can share.
While the record began to take shape in June 2020, only a week after Bridgers’ critically acclaimed album Punisher came out, she sent the others a demo of “Emily I’m Sorry,” a track that did not make it onto her solo efforts. The album was recorded in January 2022 at Shangri-La in Malibu with a grueling schedule of ten-hour days every day, for a month straight. Pooling their own songs together and collaborating as a unit, the resulting record is a landmark of recapturing joy, making time for the ones you love, and formative moments in their own lives, both big and small.
Opening track, “Without You Without Them,” picks up where the EP left off— with the reflective track “Ketchum, ID.” Contemplating how we are shaped by the people in our lives, those who came before us, and all who will come after, the track beautifully continues a conversation previously started, but rather than providing closure, it opens up the gateway for a larger conversation to be had. The tracks to come are its answer and its counterparts.
Singles “Emily I’m Sorry,” “True Blue,” “$20” and “Not Strong Enough” exemplify boygenius’ hefty ambitions and amplify their sound on a larger scale. With Julien’s penchant for riff-heavy guitar swells, Lucy’s melodic tendencies, and Phoebe’s earnest lyricism, each track culminates their variety and the beauty of it coming together as one. The album’s first four tracks were written individually, and the rest are conversations that they exchange, or encourage listeners to carry on.
“True Blue” ponders the construct of ever-changing truths, while “Leonard Cohen” focuses on real events that transpired between the three on a roadtrip when Phoebe detoured them, causing an hour added onto their journey. Julien penned “Satanist,” as commentary on the documentary “Hail Satan?” and questioning her own religious existence. “Revolution 0” is a strongpoint on the album and perhaps the most “boygenius” track of them all. Consistent to Phoebe’s songwriting, her melancholy disposition feels utterly emotive and poignant to the album’s thematic concepts of truth, vulnerability, and observation.
the record is a striking body of work that cements boygenius as masters of their craft, and proves they eerily have the ability to look inside our heads. Telepathy or intuition, the group remain empathetic and inspiring artists, bearing their souls to the masses in the spirit of authenticity and human connection. Even when lost on the road (a nod to Phoebe) boygenius ensure we are never truly alone.
An accompanying visual ‘the film’ was directed by actress Kristen Stewart and will be released on YouTube alongside the record. Earlier this week boygenius announced additional North American tour dates, which can be found here. the record will be released March 31 worldwide.
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