Phoebe Bridgers “Lost Weekend” Album Review

Is it better than her last album?

It’s a bolder step on from “Punisher.” Where her first two albums built huge feelings from quiet, careful arrangements, this one goes big and busy, with rock fuzz next to banjo, vocoder vocals and strings. It asks more of the listener than “Punisher” did, but it rewards repeat listens far longer.

Which three tracks should you hear first?

• The OutsideOne of the sharpest openers she’s written, swinging from funny to devastating in about four lines.
• Never Going Back!Her dad’s real voicemail plays, joking that being a rock star probably keeps her busy, and it lands as pure love rather than a trick.
• Lost Weekend (Reprise)Built around a church organ, it feels like her sitting with everything her father left behind and not being ready to let it go yet.

Which track can you skip?

Lost ParadeAt under a minute, it’s more of a sketch than a song, and it’s the easiest thing to skip on a long record that could be a little tighter.

Who will love it, and who won’t?

You’ll love it if you connect with her honest, darkly funny songwriting and don’t mind an album that rewards a few listens.

Give it a miss if you want the quiet, sparse sound of her earlier records or songs that get straight to the point.

Is it worth buying on vinyl?

The vinyl sounds immense and is a treat for anyone who loves listening on record. Check out the vinyl here.

Is it worth it?

Worth a listen

Her most ambitious record yet, and well worth the six year wait.