The New Boygenius Album is...Genius

By Mia Zajac

I’ll be the first (I won’t be the first because this post is a day late and this album came out like three weeks ago, sorry I just have a lot to write about) to say that I am over the moon (ew) that boygenius is back. The voices of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus are like being serenaded by a biblically accurate group of angels. Their harmonies are always the most gorgeous parts of their songs and this album has a million of them.

Phoebe, Lucy, and Julien

For those that don’t know who boygenius is, they’re an American indie rock supergroup (I don’t know what that means but Wikipedia says that so it must be right) which was formed in 2018. It’s composed of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus three singular artists who were all fans of each other and decided to make a group. Their formation was kinda an accident, the best accident to ever happen. They released their first EP in 2018 then left us for 5 years until now with their release of the record.

the record album cover

My top three stand-out songs from this record are ‘Without You Without Them’, ‘Emily I’m Sorry’ and ‘Cool About It’. I’ve chosen these three as they encapsulate my favorite parts of the album; the band's gorgeous harmonies, Phoebe's raspy vocals, and the soft rock sound they've mastered.

Starting off with ‘Without You Without Them’. Beginning with an acapella song for the boygenius album was well…genius. Hence the name, duh. I think it’s kinda like a kick to the shins but in a good way like them saying “Hey remember us? We’re still amazing even though it’s been like a million years”. It obviously helps to showcase their skills as artists and the need to not use instruments because they’re so awesome. It’s just angelic.

Now for ‘Emily, I’m Sorry’ right away starting with Phoebe’s vocals meant that they actually wanted me to cry. I expected nothing less. The sound of the song on its own is gorgeous. Their harmonizing makes me feel like I’m being serenaded. It makes me want to spin in a field while the sun is setting and it’s a little bit breezy while I’m wearing a floor-length floral sundress. But the lyrics are just punches left and right to the face. It sounds as if they’re pleading with Emily to forgive them, they really didn’t mean it, and by being away from Emily, they’re losing themselves. They’ve been left by Emily because of a stupid mistake, and they don’t know how to deal with it, near the end the sound of the song literally sounds like they’re spiraling. They are, but they were able to show that with music and I think it’s genius.

It is now time for my most favorite, awesome, cool, fun(depressing) song off of the album; ‘Cool About It’. This is so sad. What I've taken away from this song is it’s about being on the outside of seeing someone you love treating you unwell by not caring, but you just want to keep pushing on with them just because you don’t think you can live without it. Then the second verse kinda sets in another point of view that the person who isn’t caring for you isn't doing well mentally. They’re struggling and it’s affecting the relationship a lot.

I really love this album so much and am so happy that it lived up to the standards we had placed for the band's comeback. 10/10 recommend. Go give it a listen and tell me your thoughts! See you next week :)