It was almost a year ago that 26 year old Phoebe Bridgers released “Garden Song”, the first track from 2020’s Punisher album. The track is emblematic of the rest of the album that features many lowkey songs that are good, funny, and clever in parts. “When I grow up, I’m gonna look up from my phone and see my life”. “Moon Song” is slow moving that casually mentions, “we hate Tears in Heaven/but it’s sad that his baby died”. The pace quickens on second single “Kyoto” that displays an indie rock touch.
The last time we hard from Bridgers was as part of the boygenius trio along with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker who make an appearance here on the banjo lead “Graceland Too”. “Chinese Satellite” sees the drums buried in the mix while Bridgers sings, “I want to believe/instead, I look at the sky and feel nothing”. The music here resembles one another, where the album stands out is on the lyrics. Punisher was a critical darling appearing on virtually all the year end polls. A few good tracks with several memorable lines that will cause genuine listener smiles is where Punisher really stands out.
7/10
The Light Appears 