Phoebe Bridgers’ debut album Stranger in the Alps is steeped in melancholy, with lyrics that expose some pretty raw emotional depths. But despite the dark themes she explores with reckless abandon, there’s a subtle, self-aware humor woven into every song on this album, as if Bridgers wants to reassure listeners that she’s somehow okay. Case in point– the album’s title itself references the edited for TV version of cult classic film The Big Lebowski which changed John Goodman’s line from “Do you see what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass?” to “Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?”.
But back to the #SadGirl vibe permeating Stranger in the Alps– that undercurrent of sadness isn’t just a mood, it’s the foundation of her songwriting. Along with her whispy ghost-like voice, these themes allow her to craft hauntingly beautiful and surprisingly resilient music. Songs like “Smoke Signals” and “Motion Sickness” capture this duality, blending introspection with memorable hooks and orchestral touches (the latter being one of my favorite songs I’ve listened to over the past six months). Bridgers’ sorrow doesn’t wallow; it moves, transforming heartache into something redemptive. It’s that subtle yet transformative magic that makes Stranger in the Alps an unforgettable release that is hard to shake.
Standout Songs: “Motion Sickness”, “Smoke Signals”, “Demi Moore”, “Scott Street”
