I've long been drawn to the emotive power of Julien Baker, who came to my attention when she covered a couple of Frightened Rabbit songs ("Modern Leper," Holy," and "Acts of Men") after the death of incomparable frontman Scott Hutchison. She also collaborated with the band on "How It Gets In."
So when I heard that Baker had joined Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus as part of a new band called boygenius, I had to tune in. The trio met each other on tour, created a mutual admiration society, started trading music, then decided to join forces, picking a band name that serves as a clapback on perceived favoritism shown toward young male musicians.
Apparently, the three wrote and recorded their self-titled debut album in four days."Bite the Hand," "Me & My Dog," and "Salt in the Wound" are highlights, with each's incredible voices somehow complementing one another instead of competing.
But perhaps their most powerful work comes through in their spontaneity in covering the Dixie Chicks anthem "Cowboy Take Me Away." Violinist Camille Falkner takes this version over the top with her soulful playing.
While the catalog is slim for the time being and all three may never have enough time away from their own bands to dedicate to this side project, boygenius is powered by the potential of music that may be yet to come.
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