boygenius - the record REVIEW

9.3/10

boygenius, a trio banded together by indie pop/rock artists Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, have finally come through with their anticipated album release 'the record' following their self-titled EP. This was my first listening experience with boygenius (I haven't listened to their EP, but I plan to soon), and I was also strongly anticipating this release with high expectations due to the stellar four singles that dropped before the official release.

"Emily I'm Sorry" was my favorite from the bunch, and is still one of my favorites on the album, due to its eargasmic harmonies from Dacus and Baker behind Phoebe in the chorus, and stunning vocal production that just floods your ears. It's also heartbreaking lyrically, making me feel sorry for Emily even though I have absolutely no idea who she is. "$20" is one of the more uplifting and pop-punky singles from the bunch, with energetic electric guitar chords and punchy drums. Their voices mesh especially well together in this track--just seamlessly. The chorus is beautiful with Lucy and Phoebe, I love how Phoebe literally screams at the end of it, it's very uncharacteristic of her but very much needed. "True Blue" contains beautiful harmonies on the chorus (a constant theme in this project) with every voice seeming to just slide into one another so effortlessly., and lovely layers of guitar. Lyrically, it's beautiful, with it seeming to be about a healthy relationship and staying loyal to yourself and your partner. Finally, "Not Strong Enough" was released, which was a single that took time to grow on me. I love the drums and shaky electric guitar that hums in the background, the cute synth in the bridge, as well as gorgeous vocals from Phoebe in the chorus, with Dacus and Baker tagging right along with the harmonies. The lyrics in the bridge are wonderful ("always an angel, never a god"), and are performed with so much emotion, with an incredible vocal build-up with Phoebe letting loose at the end, belting in the distance. It's just a gorgeous track.

I loved how the album opened with "Without You Without Them". It's a great raw start to the album, and a great teaser of what they're vocally capable of, showcasing that vocal chemistry.

The guitar is an instrument that seems to be at the forefront of this project, utilized to create so many different vibes and sounds. On "Cool About It", it creates this folkish sound with the plucky acoustic strings, matched with stunning harmonies in the chorus and dense lyrics with Dacus and Phoebe talking about this person who is seemingly out of touch and has lost connection with the people around them--it's heartbreaking and frustrating. "Leonard Cohen" is a short but uplifting acoustic track with a sweet personal story in the first verse, getting connected to Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. I just wish it was longer! "Satanist" shines with its slightly distorted electric guitar and beautifully smooth switch-up into a slower-paced, mellow sound in the outro. Lyrically, it's fun, reckless, and quirky.

Besides a few lighthearted tracks, the majority of songwriting on this project is heavily emotional. Take "Revolution 0" for example, which opens up with a gutting start with Phoebe referencing inspiration Elliot Smith, saying that he's her "imaginary friend" who's been "telling her" to make music. She also touches on mental health struggles stating that she's "so tired". The bridge is beautiful with all the harmonies, and the synths that are buried in the back add such a haunting feeling to the outro. A small detail that I loved is how close Phoebe sounds to the mic, it's like she's literally in your ear. In "We're In Love" Dacus emotionally touches on the strong connection she has to her partner and her fear of heartbreak. I love the mellowness of the instrumental, with the light acoustic guitar and soft piano keys; it makes you focus on what Dacus has to say. The strings at the end of the track are a great touch, too. "Letter To An Old Poet" is lyrically one of the highlights on the album, with Phoebe talking about how she loves this person, but how they aren't a good person, with her then switching up and saying how she can't wait to get this person out of her life. It screams toxic relationship; a lot of back and forth between enjoying this person's presence and also hating it. Instrumentally and vocally, it's also phenomenal, with subtle strings that float in the back, haunting touches of synths, and eargasmic harmonies in the outro.

"Anti-Curse" was a track I wasn't completely feeling as the production didn't evolve to the point I was expecting. However, I loved how Baker belts in the bridge and the slight nostalgic tone it carries.

Overall, boygenius come through with an album that brings you through a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions, leaving you fucked up one moment and then bobbing your head the next. Although some of the tracks didn't live up to where I was expecting them to go, they still offered up such an astounding listening experience. Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker--with this trio, nothing can go wrong.

give it a listen