It is easy to misread Phoebe Bridgers’s first solo single in years as a simple retread of what made her 2020 album Punisher so effective. Her newest song, “Lost Boys,” possesses all the hallmarks fans have come to expect: slinky harmonic modulation, nonchalant yet emotive vocals, and a seminal use of specific detail that makes the track sparkle.
“Lost Boys” functions as a film-reel collage, flickering through an unsteady trip to Berlin, an intimate moment with a lover, and a chorus referencing Peter Pan’s crew of eternal youth. The production is expansive and warm, featuring contributions from Jack Antonoff, (Sandy) Alex G, and vocal composer Caroline Shaw.
The Machine and the Modern Condition
The song’s central line arrives in the pre-chorus, where Bridgers sings, “This machine is killing me.” It is a purposefully vague, infinitely interpretative sentiment given the plethora of “machines” currently wreaking havoc on our collective psyche. Considering that Bridgers has implemented a strict no-phone policy for her forthcoming arena tour, the line serves as a potent reflection on our phone-addled culture.
Bridgers has largely retreated from the public eye since the ubiquity of her GRAMMY-winning boygenius project with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. As noted in The New Yorker, the artist once posted frequently on social media, but the rise in parasocial attention and scrutiny regarding her personal life seemingly soured the experience. Now, she is actively working to prevent fans from pulling her back into the digital ring during her live performances.
The internet remains a Peter Pan zone, where the lost boys sustain themselves on a diet of dopamine and vitriol. Whether this new album and tour can truly counteract these digital forces remains to be seen, but Bridgers is certainly making a compelling attempt to vanquish the “machine.”
