boygenius is a band made up of three best friends–all incredibly talented vocalists. Each of them also produces music individually as well as for the band.  The Record is the debut full-length album from boygenius. This album was published by Interscope Records on March 31 and is the first major label release for all of the supergroup’s members. The Record was recorded at Shangri-La studio in Malibu, California in Jan. 2022. 

In each song on the album, the group expresses the reality of being in love and also being friends in the form of love letters. This group has a deep platonic love for each other and in this album, they perfectly describe what it feels like to have the lines between romantic and platonic love blurred, especially in queer friendships. 

Beginning with the interlude called, “Without You Without Them”, all three of the members sing an acapella about their gratitude for each other’s parents and even grandparents; they recognize that without their relatives they wouldn’t have each other. 

The lyrics, “Thank your father before you…His mother before him…Who would I be without you, without them”, illustrate how each of them wouldn’t be the same person without their relationship with one another. The simplicity of the song and the lack of instrumentals, to me, represents the simplicity of the message: there isn’t another hidden meaning beneath the layerings of instruments; instead, their words and the way with which the group uses their vocals are all that’s needed for the listener to understand what they are expressing. 

Then, the song “Emily, I’m sorry” starts with Phoebe Bridgers setting the scene of her and “Emily” in a car together, where Emily is waking up from a dream about a car crash, creating a very literal image in your head. But, throughout the song, a pattern begins to show itself through the different versions of the chorus, giving it a more metaphorical meaning. The first chorus says, “Emily, I’m sorry, I just…Make it up as I go along, and…I can feel myself becoming…Someone only you could want,” which sounds similar to someone apologizing, but not understanding what for and making excuses. 

The second and third chorus come at the very end of the song, following each other: “Emily, I’m sorry, baby…You know how I get when I’m wrong…And I can feel myself becoming…Somebody I’m not, I’m not, so…Emily, forgive me, can we…Make it up as we go along”. With the song ending on this unfinished note, it leaves the listener feeling uneasy, like there was no resolution. Bringing a different kind of reality that many experience in relationships. Sometimes we have to accept that a person is going to continue to fall into the same patterns, no matter how hard we try to change or correct them. The repetition and the continued mumbling of apologies make this especially clear to me. 

Then the song “Cool About It” leads with a couple of easy-going banjo chords, taking a gentle intro, where Julien Baker sings a short verse about a connection with someone she’s hesitant around. She describes the anxiety of when you’re just getting to know someone and how we are often careful not to push too hard but also not be too subtle. Then Lucy Dacus comes in expressing similar feelings as Julien; however, she recognizes that this person is causing her more stress and confusion, like in the lyrics “I remember it’s impossible to pass your test”, and, “Feelin like I’m breaking a sweat about it”. Overall, the two artists matched their flow and pitch, symbolizing the similarity in their experiences.

Finally, Phoebe Bridger’s verse takes a different turn. Her pitch becomes softer and quieter, whereas her lyrics become much louder and more profound. She sings, “Once, I took your medication to know what it’s like…And now I have to act like I can’t read your mind.” These two lines both intensify the message and feelings conveyed throughout the song, which is the desperation to understand and express your love and support for someone, even when they’re unable to accept it. In each part of the song, the artists talk about asking how this person is and understanding that they won’t be getting the full truth out of them. 

And finally, “Revolution 0” primarily uses its instrumentals and vocals to support the energy behind the song. The lyrics, on their own, are simplistic but give enough of a visual to keep your attention throughout. The beginning opens with an acoustic guitar, similar to the rest of the album as each singer shares fragmented thoughts without a need for explanation. But, then, towards the end of the song, there’s a pause where you’re able to hear violins, piano, guitar, a drum line, and a harp, all swelling together beautifully and intensely, with all three of the artists singing together in rhythm. This sound to me is genuine pure love (if it were to ever be created) through sound. 

This was a perfect debut album for boygenius, as it gave listeners a sense of vulnerability and intention behind each of the songs. The hard work put into it is evident and it’s a perfect addition to anyone’s musical experience. I rate it a confident 10/10.