SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BOYGENIUS – THE REST

boygenius
the rest
Interscope

Earlier this year, supergroup boygenius, which consists of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, released their debut album, the record. Everything about the album was spectacular. The production and instrumentation were top-notch, the lyrics were sad, occasionally witty and always brutally honest, and featured some of the best vocals of the year, particularly the track “Emily I’m Sorry”. Now, boygenius has released a surprise four-track EP titled the rest, which acts as an extension to their debut album. Like the debut album, the EP demonstrates why Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus are some of the best songwriters of their generation.

“Black Hole” opens up the EP. It has a nice mixture of electronica and folk, and the lyrics are dark, gloomy, and raw. The song truly shines in the second half, especially when the trio harmonizes, as it is gorgeous.

Next up is “Afraid of Heights”. Despite being the weakest song from the EP, it is still very good. It has a nice country and dream-pop edge to it, and the lyrics are as candid and vivid as ever. Stronger and more expansive instrumentation would have made the song a bit better, but the lyrical content more than makes up for that.

The third track from the record is “Voyager”. The acoustic guitar is gentle, comforting, and elegant, and when matched with Bridgers’ delicate and soft vocals, it is stunning. Lyrically, it is boygenius at their best with the heartbreaking line “but I used to believe no one could love you like I do” standing out the most. Out of all the songs, “Voyager” seems like it would have fit the best on their debut album.

“powers” ends the EP off. It is the best track on the record and is indie-rock at its finest. The alternative rock style riff rocks and is reminiscent of Baker’s solo album Sprained Ankle. Vocally, the track is electrifying. Baker’s voice, as always, is incredibly powerful. Every word she sings is booming with so much genuine emotion. Whenever the voices of Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus harmonize on this track, it feels so therapeutic. Instrumentally, this song is the most layered from the EP, especially the outro, which is one of the best of 2023. The horn section was an excellent choice to conclude the song (and EP) as it is lovely, hypnotic, and has tremendous replay value.

It might not reach the perfection of the record, but the rest is still a magnificent group of songs.

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