Boygenii—Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus albums ranked

Aphoristical
September 15, 2026
2010s, 2020s, Album Rankings

Female solo artists Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers had never all been in the same room together when they decided to form a band. The three had collaborated on tours – Dacus and Bridgers had both opened for Baker. But they all have distinct styles. Baker is anguished and raw, Dacus is raw and rocking, while Bridgers is poised and pristine, with an ear for quirky details.

The trio are terrific at iconography. The cover of their debut EP recreates the couch shot from CSN’s debut album, while the raised hands on their debut album reference Pearl Jam’s Ten. Their band name, boygenius, mocks the stereotype of overconfident men whose every thought is instantly praised as genius.

With Bridgers recently releasing her third solo album, it’s a good chance to look back at their catalogues and how their solo albums stack up against their joint album. In the interest of brevity, I’ve skipped a couple of collaborations with outside artists, but I strongly recommend Bridgers’ collaboration with Conor Oberst as Better Oblivion Community Center.

Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus albums ranked

#11 Forever is a Feeling—Lucy Dacus

2025
Dacus said her major-label debut is about coming to terms with her feelings for Julien Baker. On her fourth album, Lucy Dacus leans into a pop/rock sound. Songs like ‘Modigliani’ are effective, although the rawest moments are the strongest. ‘Talk’ is a concise rocker, with some edge in the guitar squall.

#10 No Burden—Lucy Dacus

2017
Dacus’ debut album was recorded in a single day, while Reba McEntire’s studio was unused. Dacus had only played solo shows before recording, so her pickup band had to quickly learn the songs in the days leading up to the session. It suffers compared with Dacus’ later work, with little variation in mood and nonstop intensity. Dacus’ best tune on No Burden is ‘Strange Torpedo’, backed by some terrific squelchy guitar. ‘Troublemaker Doppelgänger’ has the memorable line “I wanna live in a world where I can keep my doors wide open”.

#9 Turn Out the Lights—Julien Baker

2017
Baker’s second album was recorded in a mere six days, with Baker handling most of the instruments, but it feels slick after the rawness of Sprained Ankle. It lacks the lo-fi intensity of Sprained Ankle, and the songs are less memorable, but it’s still a worthy follow-up. The moment closest to recapturing Sprained Ankle’s intensity is ‘Sour Breath’, with Baker screaming “The harder I swim, the faster I sink”. ‘Sour Breath’ is nestled between other lovely songs like ‘Appointments’ and the sparse piano of ‘Televangelist’.

#8 Little Oblivions—Julien Baker

2021
Before Julien Baker became an indie success with the bare-bones demos of 2015’s Sprained Ankle, she always played in bands. After returning to college to finish her literature and secondary teaching degree, she returned with her third album. Little Oblivions features rock arrangements, differing from the acoustic guitar and piano textures of Baker’s first two records, but Baker plays most of the instruments herself. She’s great on rockers like ‘Ringside’, noting “Nobody deserves a second chance/But honey, I keep getting them”. There’s mellower material too – ‘Crying Wolf’ is a pretty ballad that could have easily come from an earlier Baker record.

#7 Punisher—Phoebe Bridgers

2020, 8/10
Where A Stranger in the Alps was emotional and acoustic, Punisher pushes Bridgers into more eclectic and electronic territory. These songs are subtler than before, but while I prefer Bridger’s crystalline voice in an acoustic setting, it does a great job of expanding her sonic palette.

Lead single ‘Kyoto’ was originally one of the gentlest songs on the record, but Bridger’s producer persuaded her to turn it into an upbeat number with horns and an insistent beat. Where Stranger sounded warm and welcoming, Punisher is often cold and unsettling, although the opening ramble of ‘DVD Menu/Garden Song’ and the countrified ‘Graceland Too’ will both probably satisfy Strangers fans.

#6 Lost Weekend—Phoebe Bridgers

2026
Bridgers’ third solo album centres on her father’s death. Her relationship with her father was complicated – on the title track, she sings “I can’t imagine you dead/But you are every day/Thank you for everything.”

It features excellent guest musicians like Jon Brion, Jim Keltner, Chris Thile, and Alex G. The diverse cast of musicians allows her to capture a range of moods – there’s a great transition from the euphoric rush of ‘Bobby’ to the moody title track.

#5 The Record—Boygenius

2023
The trio’s only full album together isn’t perfect, but it’s full of charisma with a core of great songs. There are neat classic rock references – ‘Cool About It’ sounds like it was derived from Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘The Boxer’, while ‘Leonard Cohen’ references the artist’s famous line, “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” The most successful songs often feel more collaborative – ‘Not Strong Enough’, with its coda of ‘Always an angel, never a god.”

#4 Historian—Lucy Dacus

2018
Dacus recorded her second album for notable indie label Matador. The production is more professional, but it’s the depth of the songwriting that stands out. Dacus’ songs are deeply personal – she told RemoteControl that “this is the album I needed to make. Everything after this is a bonus.”

The record is bookended by two epics – ‘Night Shift’ is Dacus’ first breakup song and it’s eloquent. On the closing ‘Pillar of Truth’, Dacus takes temporary solace in the faith of her youth. “Then my soul/Screams out to you” is a rare moment of hope on a harrowing record.

#3 Sprained Ankle—Julien Baker

2015
Julien Baker’s debut album is sparse and intimate. While the arrangements are low-key, Baker’s songs often deal with big issues like addiction and faith. The stark sound works for Baker’s heartfelt songs, making them rawer and more poignant. Sprained Ankle becomes more immersive the deeper it gets into the running list. Baker’s vocals take flight on ‘Rejoice’ – “I rejoice, and complain/I never know what to say/But I think there’s a god and he hears either way” is a great line. The keening electric guitar of ‘Vessels’ is a lovely accompaniment for Baker’s voice, while ‘Go Home’ is a cathartic closer.

#2 Home Video—Lucy Dacus

2021
On Home Video, Dacus gently broadens her musical scope. There’s still guitar muscle, but the tempos are slower and emphasise her lyrics. She’s an interesting lyricist, offering futile advice to friends and revisiting her adolescence. My favourite track is ‘Partner in Crime’, which blends tough guitar with pop-style processed vocals, while closer ‘Triple Dog Dare’ is a lengthy rocker with a rawer sound. The quieter songs put Dacus’ voice and lyrics in the spotlight

#1 Stranger in the Alps—Phoebe Bridgers

2017
Stranger in the Alps is an astonishingly assured debut from Bridgers. The simple arrangements suit her pristine, poised vocals. ‘Motion Sickness’ presents a nuanced dialogue about Bridgers’ relationship with Adams, opening with the line “I hate you for what you did/And I miss you like a little kid.” Bridgers delivers a depressed lyric with a musically gorgeous arrangement on ‘Funeral’, while ‘Scott Street’ has a beautiful chord sequence. The ominous, piano-led ‘Georgia’ is a welcome change of pace, while the record closes with a cover of Mark Kozelek’s ‘You Missed My Heart’.