Better Oblivion Community Center - Better Oblivion Community Center

Better Oblivion Community Center
Better Oblivion Community Center
2019
Spotify

The union of Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers seems like a match made in heaven. The two artists are masters at the small, the mundane things in life that we pass by without a second thought, but they manage to make shine. They are two artists who are separated by a gulf of time, but share a similar outlook on life. Bridgers is just starting her career, while Oberst has been plying his trade for over 20 years. They have a similarly sad disposition, looking at the most mundane aspects of life and trying to find reason in them. This album suits them both. It feels warm and inviting yet still has something real to say. Her soft sweet voice pairs with his unmistakably odd sound. Oberst's work of late has had a bit of a renaissance, abandoning the straight up emo that He was so well known for. There is a folkiness to this record that suits them both extremely well, but it's not all acoustic and bare bones production. There is a distinct edge to this album that you don't get in a lot of folk music. The album gives Oberst a foil for his often on an island in my head style and gives Bridgers a chance to explore some of the darker more emotional themes in her head. Her last album was filled with delicate little moments, but this album has big ideas and big swings of emotion. "Exception to the Rule" feels like an instant classic for them both with it's barely there electronics and big music holding up Bridgers lead vocal. The seem to trade song for song on this record, but each contribute to almost every track.

"Chesapeake" is this wonderfully rich song which begins with Bridgers recounting a time at a concert, amongst so many people yet still somehow alone. It's so deep and feeling that you can't help but be sucked in. That is what both of these artists do, they manage to take the things we all feel and amplify them while still making a nice little tune. "My City" is another sentiment we all feel of both loving and hating the exact place we are, it send chills down your spine. It begins sweetly with loves and hates then towards the end the duo let it all rip and allow their voices to crack and soar. Like most of Oberst's recent records this one just feels far to short and has you coming back and back again to hear these songs and feel these things. The people in these songs feel pushed and pulled in all directions almost to a breaking point and that is where they finally find the truth they were looking for. Better Oblivion Community Center may be a side project for these two, but for Bridgers to take a swing this early on in her career is really something extraordinary. Don't sleep on these two, put this on and let your inner sad loose.

8.5 out of 10