Rating: 5/5 stars

Adrianne Lenker (“Free Treasure”) is on another level. “Bright Future” is proof of that.

The first song out of the 12 on the album is titled “Real House.” Much like many of Lenker’s songs, this is a raw recording, and it felt more like a story accompanied by a piano than a song. The song is clearly dedicated to someone she loved as a child, and it is a beautiful way to start off this album.

Track no.2 is “Sadness As a Gift.” This was the first song Lenker released after announcing “Bright Future.” This has everything you could want: beautiful instrumental back with some incredible lyrics. This is one of the best songs she has ever written.

Another one of the pre-album releases, “Fool,” was next. This song is amazing. The guitar is absolutely mesmerizing; I would be OK if it went on forever. The lyrics themselves reference many people she once knew and where they are now in comparison to her. Adrianne Lenker is one of, if not the best songwriters today, and the lyrics on this track are incredible.

“No Machine” is next. Lyrically, this is one of the best love songs I have ever heard. “To the ocean of your love, I’m a river,” is just one of so many amazing lines featured in this song. The harmonies here are outstanding as well. 

Another incredible love song by Lenker is “Free Treasure.” This is genuinely one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. 

“Vampire Empire” is next up on “Bright Future,” and there is some lore behind this song. The song originally debuted on an episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” a few years back by Lenker and her band “Big Thief.” It remained unreleased until last summer, when “Big Thief” released it as a single. Some fans were not happy with the release because certain parts that were featured in their live performance were removed from the final release. Now, Lenker has released a version that has some of the original lines and chords in it. This is my favorite version of the three. This song has so many tremendous lines about a tumultuous relationship and changing the way you are because of someone else. As a longtime fan, I am very happy to see this “Vampire Empire” in its final form. “Evol” is next. This song is clever and speaks volumes about Lenker’s songwriting abilites. It is a very quick song but is extremely well-written. 

The eighth track is “Candleflame.” Both a guitar and piano are featured here. This is also a quick song but it is extremely peaceful. “Already Lost,” features a slight reverb on Lenker’s voice, which immediately makes it stand out from her normal raw sound. This is one of the stronger tracks on the album and one of my personal favorites. 

Lenker’s soft voice absolutely cuts like a knife in “Cell Phone Says.” This song is by Adrianne Lenker at her best.

“Donut Seam” is an absolutely fantastic track. The opening features the first solo voice of the album that is not Lenker’s. The harmonies and instrumentals make this an all-time Adrianne Lenker song. 

The album wraps up with “Ruined.”  This song has such a great build and features some heart-wrenching lyrics. Many artists struggle with the final song in an album, but Lenker thrives.

As mentioned above, Adrianne Lenker is a once-in-a-generation talent. This album proves why she is just that. 

Image from Adrianne Lenker via YouTube