The group that unites Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker was one of the most nominated for the awards; the band points to a future for rock, a genre that seemed stagnant
Among the indications a Grammys 2024 announced on the 10th, there are similar pop stars Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo AND Miley Cyrus. But a name outside this circuit has attracted attention: the group Boygeniusnominated in six categories, including the coveted award for Album of the Year.
One of the select “alternative” groups to amass public and critical success in the USA, Boygenius are a trio of women: Phoebe Bridgers, Lucia Dacus AND Julien Baker. Technically it is a supergroup, a group made up of people who had already had solo careers and relative success before the band.
And it’s really cool. The trio has two EPs and an album of which they were on the cover Rolling Stone this year and has already garnered praise from big names, from Dave Grohl THE Billie Eilish and its Taylor Swift. Find out who Boygenius are and how they are earning their place at the top:
Understand the Boygenius phenomenon
Phoebe Bridgers, Lucia Dacus AND Julien Baker They were already orbiting in the American indie rock universe, sharing tours and ending up meeting quite frequently. Like any woman who knows how to hold a guitar, they were used to hearing questions related simply to being women. And know how to handle a guitar.
The band was born from this bond and discomfort: with the proposal of meeting in the studio with their own luggage and without a male presence, the band was born. Boygenius in 2018. The name comes from “genius boy” (boy genius): A game about the self-confidence of men who have been called geniuses since they were young, and have never doubted themselves since.
This does not prevent them from venerating the men who came before them. Bridgers is a fan of Paul McCartney; Baker, from Sound Garden; Dacus, da The cure. Part of the group’s identity derives from the game of reoccupation of the spaces previously occupied by men, not as a denial of them, but as a reaffirmation of them.
Titled “the world’s most exciting supergroup” by Rolling Stone Americana, Boygenius has the perfect formula to please a generation without rock idols to call their own. (Let’s face it: “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll” lost their appeal a few decades ago.) These are women aged 28 to 29 who identify as queer – and this is the maximum number of labels they propose to belong to.
Separately and together, Phoebe, Lucy and Julien participate in collaborations from emo to pop, combine their talents and they write openly about private experiences. According to them, in their creative process, there is no room for judgement: a philosophy that shines through in the final result.
What is the trio’s style?
The group debuted with the EP brilliant boy in 2018, which was already showing signs of what they would be like musically: a type of alternative rock that incorporates influences from all three, with roots in folk. Since their first effort, the band has already gained passionate fans and critical acclaim, but they have continued with solo projects until this year.
Now, in 2023, Boygenius is back with the full album, the discand an extra EP, the rest.
The songwriting trio creates very vulnerable songs, with explosions that have room to grow. They use delicate vocal harmonies, careful guitars and phrases like “I’m 27 and I don’t know who I am, but I know what I want” (by Emily, I’m sorry).
Much of Boygenius’ music sounds sad, which is especially funny considering the trio is anything but dull. On stage and in photos they dance, kiss, jump and fall to the floor, in a “kiddie” way.
But it is this duality between seriousness and playfulness, vulnerability and trust, that attracts the public: it is perfect for today’s young people, who combine memes and rants about mental health on the same profile. And who, therefore, expects from a group of artists more than a calm joy, which is not very descriptive of current times.
For a so-called alternative group, Boygenius have achieved significant stardom, having not only sold out shows, but also a very passionate fan club. (For comparison, with two albums and an EP, the band already has 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify. That’s the same number as the Brazilian band stupid; almost double Initial capital.) They’ve already been in their career for five years, but the splendor of novelty doesn’t seem to be leaving them anytime soon.
For all that, the Grammy nominations weren’t groundbreaking; for those who follow the music there, they were hardly surprising. They were the culmination of an announced fact: Boygenius are rock’s new big band.
5 songs to enter the world of Boygenius
1. I remember
2. Not strong enough
3. Black hole
4. Fantastic
5. Me and my dog
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
