The indie rock super group boygenius, comprised of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, has dominated the alternative scene since their formation, winning several Grammys and receiving massive audience acclaim. The individual members are also celebrated for their solo works, with each having a successful career before boygenius. All of their solo albums/EPs, as well as their collaborative efforts, are some of my favorite pieces of modern music, but which are the best? Here are my thoughts. For the purpose of this list, I will be ranking their individual projects as well as boygenius projects, but excluding any work done with other collaborators, i.e. the Julien Baker and Torres album.
14: No Burden by Lucy Dacus
Released in 2016, No Burden was a college project for Dacus that was never intended to be developed for streaming services. Her signature witty lyricism and charm are present on the album, but the pop filter used in production dulls the natural quality of her voice, something that initially draws many listeners to her work. It is by no means a bad album, but it is certainly a first album, marked by low production quality and youthful perspective.
13: sprained Ankle by Julien Baker
Similar in nature to the above album, Sprained Ankle is obviously Baker’s first full length project. Released in 2015, it boasts thoughtful lyricism and well rounded instrumentation, but pales in comparison to her other works in terms of production quality and overall listening experience.
12: So much wine – EP by phoebe bridgers
A six track EP of non traditional Christmas music, So Much Wine has a lot of things going for it. Besides essentially having a monopoly on the market of depressing Christmas songs, it is extremely well-made and tailored for a memorable listening experience. This is truly a masterful EP, but as the majority of the songs on it are covers, it feels unfair to judge it in the same category as original works.
11: 2019 – EP by lucy dacus
2019 is ranked in this position for the same reason as So Much Wine: the majority of the songs are covers. Setting that aside, this EP is fantastic. The original songs are deeply personal yet relatable to a wide audience, and Dacus puts her own unique spin on several classics.
10: the rest – ep by boygenius
Released as a companion piece to their full length album, the record (yes its actually all lowercase, as is their band name), the rest is a collection of songs written while producing the album, essentially acting as a bookend on that era of boygenius. This four-song EP has all the hallmarks of a boygenius project, but its length makes it difficult to accurately judge.
9: Little Oblivions by julien baker
Baker’s most recent studio album, Little Oblivions, is a deeply personal narrative of her struggles with mental health and isolation. Overall, it’s a cohesive, honest project that gives the listener unflinching insight into Baker’s daily life.
8: Historian by lucy dacus
This album was a breakout success for Dacus, featuring some of her most popular songs today, and launching her into overall notoriety. Its more traditional rock feel blends seamlessly into her soft, melodic voice in an unexpected but delightful manner.
7: boygenius – ep by boygenius
The first of their collaborative efforts, this EP showed the world why they should want more boygenius. Recorded as a marketing effort for a small tour they were on together, this self-titled project feels like a true meeting of minds, and in many ways, it is. Featuring gut-wrenchingly personal narratives and effortlessly perfect harmonies, it is clear to see why this is the project that started it all.
6: stranger in the alps by phoebe bridgers
As Bridgers’ first full length album, one might expect the hesitation that typically comes from first time artists, but that is no where to be found on this album. Full of strikingly-honest statements and an undeniable sense of longing, Stranger in the Alps is truly a masterwork of the indie scene.
5: Forever is a feeling by lucy dacus
The most recent release of any of these projects, Forever Is A Feeling is a true culmination of the history of boygenius. Chronicling Dacus and Baker’s romantic relationship, this album is full of thoughtful love songs and honest reflections on the true nature of long term partnerships.
4: Turn out the lights by Julien Baker
By far my favorite of Baker’s albums, Turn Out the Lights has everything from artfully developed instrumental themes to the honest, personal narrative that listeners have come to expect from her. It is masterful on every level of development, yet maintains the intimate quality that many listeners find appealing in Baker’s music.
3: The record by boygenius
Their first full length project together, the record is undeniably the fruition of their close personal connections and collective talent for songwriting. They accomplish the difficult feat of making collaborative song writing feel personal and relatable astonishingly well, never compromising honesty for the sake of their cowriters. It is not hard to understand why this album won them several Grammys and left fans practically begging for more.
2: Punisher by phoebe bridgers
The only way I can accurately describe this album is a punch in the gut and a hug at the same time. The juxtaposition of comfort and candor used throughout Punisher exists only in the music of Phoebe Bridgers. I would say more about this album, but I think I’ve said everything that truly counts.
1: Home Video By Lucy Dacus
No one does storytelling like Lucy Dacus, and this album makes that abundantly clear. A collection of songs recounting stories of her childhood and adolescence, Home Video feels like the comfort of your childhood bedroom in a way that is almost impossible to describe. It’s everything you could possibly want in an album and more.