Phoebe Bridgers second studio album, Punisher open with DVD Menu, a one minute long instrumental that sets the tone for the rest of the album that launches into Garden Song; the vocals and tone of voice here are exceptional, you can immediately tell that Phoebe is a special talent. The sound throughout the album is lo fi with the songs lead by Bridgers storytelling lyrics. Title track Punisher is a moment of serene clarity and poignancy. There is a lack of drums on this record that serves to pull the listener further into Punisher - the album on a whole is incredibly raw in terms of emotion. Graceland Too is the nearest that Bridgers gets to commercial territory, a sublime and familiar chord sequence. Final track I Know The End rounds off the album with almost six minutes of serene heartache that builds and builds.
Punisher isn't a mainstream album and it is not supposed to be. Phoebe Bridgers taps into our emotions like not many artists are able to do and despite the lack of radio friendly tracks, it is perhaps the album of the year. ****
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