June was another good month for music, with albums from artists like Run The Jewels and one of my personal favorite bands, COVET. However, I believe that the emotional potency conveyed in Phoebe Bridgers’s album, Punisher, was unmatched. In my opinion, this is not only the best album of June, but also a serious contender for Album of the Year.
Phoebe has been growing in the indie rock scene ever since her debut album Stranger in the Alps in 2017. While I recognized her talent on this album, I was not really blown away by it. In retrospect, I realize that Stranger in the Alps was a direct precursor to the brilliance of Punisher. The enchanting production across the album’s eleven songs is captivating. The acoustic guitar harmonies on “Graceland Too” and the blaring trumpets in the hard-rocking “Kyoto” are perfect examples of this. While the production is endlessly gorgeous, the true star of the album is Phoebe’s lyricism. Detailing turbulent family life, damaging romantic relationships, and social anxiety, Phoebe is emotionally captivating in every song. If I had to name one stand-out song, the tale behind “Saviour Complex” is truly heartbreaking and cathartic. Phoebe details how she attempts to save those around her despite destroying herself in the process. It is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that cannot be understated.
The Verdict: For its raw emotion, beautiful production, and Phoebe’s stellar performances, Punisher is June 2020’s Album of the Month.
PUNISHER
Phoebe Bridgers
9.1/10