– Written by John Makela –

Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker came out with her sixth solo album this past week, and this shit will leave you sad about a breakup you never even had. 

Bright Future puts Lenker’s heart on a platter, delivered beautifully by her acoustic co-production with Philip Weinrobe. Lenker’s lyrics center around the “getting over it” part of heartbreak. The album dropped after a series of accompanying videos all shot and directed by Lenker’s brother and sister Noah and Zoë Lenker. These videos are really weird. They’re a far stray from the heartbreak contents of the album, but they’re fun!

The contents of the album can be well put with the second track, Sadness as a Gift. In this song Lenker writes of the sorrow she feels from losing a love, but relishing in the love she once felt. She tells the story of a lover giving her memories she will never forget. “And you showed me a place I’ll find, even when I’m old.” – Sadness as a Gift

Lenker’s talent in music is on display in this album. She uses her unique vocals and sound to her advantage in every way possible. This comes as no surprise considering her background in music, first stemming from a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. 

The album is better compared to her last musical presence (Songs and Instrumentals, 2020) however her sound is still apparent. This album shows just how confident Lenker is in her sound and a mastery of the heartbreak country genre. 

A personal favorite of mine off the album is Donut Seam. It begins with a beautiful chorus from indie artist Nick Hakim. Hakim and Lenkers vocals throughout the song are genuinely some of the most authentically beautiful sounds I have ever heard. This along with some of the most heart wrenching lyrics of the year have just put together one of the heaviest hitters of 2024. 

“Ever since the day we met, I loved you and I don’t regret the way we passed the time.” – Donut Seam