We’ve all heard heartbroken records, yet our heart still breaks over & over again. Hell, Phoebe Bridgers just owned last year with the shredded aorta that was Punisher (QRO review). Now Julien Baker (another member of supergroup boygenius) not only breaks her heart but takes the blame, wants the blame, making Little Oblivions extra powerful.
Stereotypically, break-up songs are directed at the other person, or just blame it on something beyond ourselves (like the rain), but Baker takes it on her own shoulders in Oblivions. The honesty behind such pieces as “Relative Fiction” or “Highlight Reel”, or the not wanting to be forgiven of “Song in E”, make them even more moving, because who among us hasn’t really been the one at fault, and how much worse does that make it? The searing emotion in opener “Hardline” (QRO review) carries throughout the record, even the more relaxed (or resigned) “Faith Healer” (QRO review), growing “Bloodshot”, or softer “Favor” (QRO review).
There’s a reason that love songs are the greatest staple in music, and that end-of-love songs bring the greatest emotions. Take it all upon yourself with Little Oblivions.
