If you have never heard of Phoebe Bridgers, she used to be in a band called Sloppy Jane. After leaving the band in 2015, Phoebe Bridgers began her solo career and released her debut album, Stranger in the Alps in 2017. It consists of 11 songs and is about 44 minutes long. In 2020, Phoebe Bridgers released her second album, Punisher, consisting of 11 songs that are about 40 minutes long in total. For this edition of Battle of the Albums, I will be comparing Phoebe Bridgers’ albums, Stranger in the Alps and Punisher. 

Even if you have never listened to Stranger in the Alps, you may have heard some of her songs like “Smoke Signals,” “Motion Sickness,” and “Funeral” on TikTok. Personally, my favorite songs on this album are “Motion Sickness” and “Georgia.” I really like Stranger in the Alps because it has a different vibe compared to other music I listen to. Even though the songs are more emotional, Stranger in the Alps is a great album to listen to on a rainy day or if you’re upset and want to listen to low-energy music. 

Although Punisher also has an emotional feel to it, some of the songs are a little more upbeat than songs on Stranger in the Alps. My favorite songs on Punisher are “Kyoto,” “Chinese Satellite,” “Moon Song,” and “ICU.” The first song on the album’s tracklist, “DVD Menu,” gives Punisher a unique introduction as it consists of ominous instrumentals. The last track on the album, “I Know the End,” concludes Punisher with Phoebe Bridgers screaming. I think this feature adds to the mysterious, gloomy feeling of the album because her scream fades out as both the song and Punisher end. 

Overall, I enjoy listening to both Stranger in the Alps and Punisher, but only one album can win the battle. I ultimately think Punisher wins because of the unique style it brings to the music industry. I think it’s really cool how Phoebe Bridgers was able to hold the dark, mysterious vibes throughout the album rather than only having a few slower songs mixed in with upbeat songs like other artists. In the end, however, I think both albums are very good, and if you are looking for a new artist to listen to, then I definitely recommend Phoebe Bridgers!