Ever since the June 2020 release of her second studio album, “Punisher,” the world has fallen in love with Phoebe Bridgers. By the world, I mean plenty of teenagers who have sworn by her work as gospel.
The hype surrounding that album resulted in an SNL appearance, some high-profile collaborations (SZA, Taylor Swift, etc.) and four Grammy nominations that had Sir Elton John threatening to hit someone if she wasn’t victorious.
She lost all four nominations.
More success would come, however, from her banner year promoting her super-group, Boygenius’ debut album, before she decided to take a hiatus in early 2024. It was a well-deserved break from a world that had been constantly asking what was next?
Her answer finally revealed itself this past August with the release of “Lost Weekend,” an album which in the context of her heightened fame and recognition, reads as a “where have I been” statement throughout its 16 tracks.
The themes on this record range from the loss of her father, her break-up with actor Paul Mescal, and her subsequent new-found love with comedian Bo Burnham, who lends his talents on some tracks.
This blend of grief and joy creates something heavy, and because of that, I’ve found that I can relate to it more than “Punisher.”
With that album’s choir of praise shouting all around me, I could never grasp on how something so quiet could cause such a critical ruckus. Not to say I didn’t like it — the single “Kyoto” has always been great — but it was never really for me.
Truthfully, I only pretended to be a big fan just to impress the girls.
With “Lost Weekend,” my life is no longer a lie. I can hear her work now and become floored with emotion. I was blind and now can see.
Lead single “Lost Boys” marks a return to the more memorable parts of “Punisher,” but the majority of the record leans more into a confessional space built on vocoders and explosive sound collages. Tracks like “Kill Me” and “As Above” bloom into bright supernovas of catharsis.
Not to mention the myriad collaborators that helped bring the album to life, such as Jack Antonoff, Alex G, Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker and a mysterious vocalist known as Son-John Johnson who bears a resemblance to Geese’s Cameron Winter.
With its deep well of emotion, “Lost Weekend” reaches an honorable part of my soul.
What felt like forever was well worth the wait.
If you loved Bridgers before, you will certainly love her again. But if you’re like me and had doubts before, you will find yourself pleasantly surprised by this re-introduction.
Phil’s take: 5 out of 5