BOYGENIUS

The Record (Polydor/Interscope)

Ever since their EP dropped in 2018, the world has been clamouring for more from indie supergroup Boygenius – and now, we finally have it in the form of debut album, The Record. Each member has significantly exploded in stature since the EP, with Phoebe Bridgers now the highest profile of the three. Opening with the acapella Without You Without Them before breaking into the indie rock of the Julien Baker-led $20, the album weaves together the trio’s songwriting near perfectly.

The Lucy Dacus-penned True Blue appears to be an ode to friendship while Bridgers’ Revolution 0 (apparently written about falling in love with someone online) feels like a loving ode to those online relationships that blossomed during the pandemic. Single Not Strong Enough is a brilliant piece of music that goes from strength to strength: its vocals pass from Bridgers to Baker to Dacus, with each member getting their moment to shine.

However, it’s Baker who is the real MVP here. Satanist feels like a continuation of her 2021 album Little Oblivions (even with all three contributing) and her lyricism and songwriting are consistently the strongest across the 12 tracks. Closing the album with is a flawless three-track run of Dacus’ You’re In Love (with a lyrical throwback to her own solo track Night Shift), Baker’s Anti-Curse, and finally Bridgers’ Letter To An Old Poet. The latter is perfectly delivered with a call back to EP track Me & My Dog with the line “I wanna be happy, I’m ready” hitting like a gut punch. 

words JOSHUA WILLIAMS