By: Jaclyn Wickersham
It’s safe to say that 2023 has been the year of the boys. The band boygenius, composed of female indie artists Julian Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, has been dominating the music scene recently. The band reunited with the release of their first album, “The Record,” in March, five years after their formation and the release of their self-titled EP.
Since their reunion, they’ve had their moment in the sun, selling out MSG and the Hollywood Bowl, six Grammy nominations, and having their first number-one song in “Not Strong Enough.” The trio was even a popular Halloween costume this year, with fans dressed in variations of their signature suit and tie look, my friends and I included.
The band’s success is extremely well deserved. The three’s vocal and instrumental talent, paired with their extensive knowledge of music theory, makes their work masterful. But what makes the group truly special is the friendship at their core. Their relationship comes first, and the music comes second, making for an exceptional band chemistry. The three’s friendship also drives them as it enriches their love for creating music. Closing their shows by kissing and cuddling up together, it is clear the three adore each other.
On this October’s Friday the 13th, the bandreleased their sophomore EP, The Rest”. The EP features songs that carry out or conclude storylines from their previous releases, such as the opening song “Black Hole” and third track, “Voyager,” in which Bridgers sings lead. “The Rest” has a sense of finality and conclusion that has led fans to ask the question… Is this the end of boygenius?
With no tour dates scheduled beyond October 2023, it may be the end. The threesome has been touring since April, and having no shows on the calendar has left fans with an eerie feeling. Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus could return to their solo career. They may also decide to reallocate time to other projects outside the group. boygenius could also prove fan theories false and continue their creative focus on each other. The three seamlessly flow in and out of their solo careers and their work within the band, making it impossible to tell whether it will ever be the end of boygenius.
