Punisher
by Phoebe Bridgers
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 435 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 395 out of 435
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 435
  3. Negative: 25 out of 435
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  1. diegofrolim
    Jul 29, 2023
    8
    Album bem coeso, algumas músicas um pouco sem gracinhas, mas tem muitos pontos altos também. "I Know The End" uma das maiores músicas do mundo.
  2. dylandylandylan
    Jul 14, 2023
    10
    i first listened to this album last year, and that’s when i became a phoebe bridgers fan. i would consider it one of the best albums of all time. phoebe’s vocals are stunning and her ability to write and story-tell is even better.
    ranking:
    1. moon song
    2. chinese satellite
    3. i know the end
    4. kyoto
    5. icu
    6. savior complex
    7. graceland too
    8. punisher
    9. halloween
    10. garden song
  3. candelrey
    Apr 1, 2023
    10
    One of my favorite albums of all time. Intimate, vulnerable and so immersive. Favorite songs: I know the end, chinese satellite and kyoto.
  4. hannahwashere
    Mar 30, 2023
    9
    Displays such a progression from her debut album 'Stranger in the Aps'. 'Punisher' is a more mature and well-produced development in Bridger's sound which highlights her musical and well as lyrical talents. Bridger's vocals are heartbreaking and beautiful.
  5. j444cks
    Mar 1, 2023
    9
    A wonderful, personal record that deserves all of the acclaim it gets. Perhaps 'I Know The End' being one of the bests songs of the decade thus far.
  6. leogarcia132002
    Feb 9, 2023
    7
    An album with an almost perfect production and lyrically exciting. I need to listen to it more times to be more related, but I feel that a little more emotion is missing that catches you.
  7. bronsonhatch
    Jan 25, 2023
    9
    It took me a couple listens over a long period of time to actually get this album. On my first listen, “I know the end” was the only track I liked. A year after listening to only “i know the end” I gave the album another full listen and I liked a handful more tracks like “moon song, punisher, savior complex” ANOTHER couple months and now it’s one of my fave albums. Almost all tracks are onIt took me a couple listens over a long period of time to actually get this album. On my first listen, “I know the end” was the only track I liked. A year after listening to only “i know the end” I gave the album another full listen and I liked a handful more tracks like “moon song, punisher, savior complex” ANOTHER couple months and now it’s one of my fave albums. Almost all tracks are on repeat and yeah. Such great themes and writing. Phoebes vocals are to die for… Expand
  8. caleb_minaj
    Jan 3, 2023
    0
    horrible, friend recommended it to me, only liked the instrumental parts where she wasn’t singing.
  9. JoelG
    Dec 12, 2022
    9
    This album exceeded any expectation I had before listening to it. From the mood setter 'DVD Menu' through the prefect storytelling 'Kyoto' and all the way straight to 'I Know The End' which is a very strong outro song, that makes you wanna listen all the way again, this album is just a delight.
    The songwriting is great, storytelling is exceptional and unique, the instruments use is    This album exceeded any expectation I had before listening to it. From the mood setter 'DVD Menu' through the prefect storytelling 'Kyoto' and all the way straight to 'I Know The End' which is a very strong outro song, that makes you wanna listen all the way again, this album is just a delight.
    The songwriting is great, storytelling is exceptional and unique, the instruments use is authentic and refreshing, composition is very professional, and the rawness is felt through every lyric.
    Phoebe makes us feel the pain inside and out her mind, all over our body, and god there's pain.
    The album is overall very soft and calm, and that might not be fitting to all listeners, but Phoebe uses very wise composition and poetry to not bore us for a single moment.
    There's not a single track I didn't like, and the album is very cohesive, and satisfying.

    Favorite Tracks: Kyoto, Punisher, Savior Complex, Moon Song, I Know The End.    … Expand
  10. Synthl0ver22
    Dec 12, 2022
    9
    Phoebe Bridgers is one of the only artist who have not only avoided an sophomore slump, but created an album maybe superior to its predecessor. She wraps you in her warm arms and combines beautiful melodies with lyrics that hit in the heart. I can not wait for her future projects, and she is one of the most promising and innovating artist in our time
  11. chiaramanto
    Oct 22, 2022
    10
    the lyricism of this album is absolutely insane. icu and Chinese satellite are definitely the best tracks
  12. georgetheod73
    Sep 9, 2022
    10
    Her songwriting is just amazing. Listen to this album late at night and you'll admire it
  13. Jorgepardo
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    One of the best albums I ever listened to in my life def in my top 5. The lyrics , her vocals and so many things currently happening on that record. Speechless
  14. scwwts
    Aug 21, 2022
    10
    one of the best 2-3 albums of the 21st century, probably top 10 all time. phoebe has actually created a new genre of music and its fascinating and bewildering to witness the power she and her music actually have.
  15. dsanojag
    Aug 13, 2022
    10
    possibly one of the best albums of the decade and best sopohomore albums of all time just incredible
  16. elizabryantrowe
    Apr 5, 2022
    10
    one of my favourite albums of all time! fave tracks are saviour complex and moon song :)
  17. All_ButTrU4
    Apr 4, 2022
    8
    I feel Phoebe Bridges is nothing like her music. When you see her you are shown a blonde former emo who seems like the unintentional cool girl but what you hear in her music,has more depth. Her music is melancholy heard. Her skill was first debuted on the 2017 gem"the strangers in the alphs". The knack for dark observation and levity in the same verse compelled any ears that heard toI feel Phoebe Bridges is nothing like her music. When you see her you are shown a blonde former emo who seems like the unintentional cool girl but what you hear in her music,has more depth. Her music is melancholy heard. Her skill was first debuted on the 2017 gem"the strangers in the alphs". The knack for dark observation and levity in the same verse compelled any ears that heard to continue listening. On this grand follow up she out does herself erasing any doubt of her talent and ascending onto the height of the indiesphere. Punisher takes all her strengths and discards her weaknesses. She takes her lowest moment's and shrugs them off. Pain is inevitable not definitive. The narrative resembles that of a movie:a beginning, climax and conclusion. "Dvd Menu " lulls with it's hopeful violins and pitched piano chords leading into the beguiling nostalgia of "garden song " . "Garden Song " opens with a promise and ends with satisfaction. It remunerated on lost time and hope . There is no catharsis reached by the finger picking guitar. The rock "kyoto" remunirates on the attempts of a disappointing father trying to make amends, loss and growing up all within a trip to the namesake city. The song reads like a diary entry left open for us to read. The sadness of it's message is almost hidden by the light lively guitars and drumming. The depressed "punisher " gives us intimate insight into a fan who goes to a concert while high to see an artist they haven't met but feel close to but this is only a metaphor for the actual idealistic honeymoon stage of love that fall apart towards the songs end.
    What sounds like the sequel to "kyoto", the chillwave "Chinese Satellite " explores detachment through another lense. The imagery of using a satellite as a star to wish on conjures false hope perfectly. My highlight and the most emotionally decrepit song on the album, so melancholy Pheobe regrets releasing it is the grand "moon song". It takes idiosyncratic event's,arguing about john lennon or nautical themed birthdays, then makes then feel universal. It paints heartbreak with three strokes:loss,disappointment and bargaining. The narrators love intrest seems to be afflicted by an addiction which seems to be affecting the relationship. Yet even then dreaming of them smiling largely is one of the best things they could have dreamt. Then makes heartbreak something inevitable and unintentional. Recovery isn't given after the emotional rollercoaster of an album, no. Instead the contemplative "saviour complex " that takes a toxic relationships and rips it open to it's fundamentals . The romantic "ICU" is the least emotionally challenging song on the record but doesn't do this at the expense of being disappointing. The minature boygenius reunion "grace land too" lulls with the supergroups precise harmonies and lyricism only for the concussive finale of "i know the end" which splits itself in two:an accident and freedom . The first part details a calm serene tableau of a European visit and a bloody accident. The change on tempo mid song or the drained screeching at the end make this a rollercoaster and a perfect synopsis of the album and Phoebe Bridgers too. That perception and meaning rately correlate. That maybe they aren't supposed to.
    Favourites:moon song, garden song,punisher,kyoto,dvd menu    … Expand
  18. ColinFrags
    Mar 2, 2022
    10
    Completely beautiful throughout. Covers dark topics such as the fear of death as a non-believer and the sensitivity of friendships with a view through a melancholic lens. She has much more to come.
  19. Ka1dowskiX
    Feb 26, 2022
    10
    Punisher is simply beautiful - it is a wonderful, climatic album that keeps the listener interested from the beginning up to the end.
  20. LonelyHeart28
    Feb 4, 2022
    9
    Beautiful album, the lyrics, the production, really amazing voice for phoebe
  21. AboveAllMusic
    Jan 11, 2022
    10
    Albums of this caliber don’t come around often. There is a haunting depression with each song that pulls you in, then a moment of brilliance, brought on by either an instrument or a change in Phoebe’s incredible voice. All of which keeps you wanting to connect with music even more. Stunning in it’s simplicity, and brilliant when it gets complicated.
  22. Thirteen13
    Jan 7, 2022
    10
    If I could marry any album in the existence of music, I would marry this masterpiece
  23. beatlemaniac
    Dec 27, 2021
    0
    my favorite album of all time. phoebe bridgers is my favorite lyricist, and this album is a beautiful display of emotions. 'I Know The End' is no longer a song, it's an experience. 'Savior Complex' is the best music video I've seen, not just from phoebe, but from anyone. 'Moon Song' is one of her strongest songs lyrically, which is saying something. Lyrics like 'you're holding me likemy favorite album of all time. phoebe bridgers is my favorite lyricist, and this album is a beautiful display of emotions. 'I Know The End' is no longer a song, it's an experience. 'Savior Complex' is the best music video I've seen, not just from phoebe, but from anyone. 'Moon Song' is one of her strongest songs lyrically, which is saying something. Lyrics like 'you're holding me like water in your hands' and 'i will wait for the next time you want me / like a dog with a bird at your door' are the most emotive lyrics I've heard ever. listen to this album. i wish i could listen to Punisher for the first time again.… Expand
  24. jvdraw
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    First time I listened to this album I might not cared a lot... Guess I wasn't depressed enough, or just didn't payed attention to the lyrics. But now, I love it so much, this is ART in its highest level, her voice is very soothing, and the stories she tells are just hurtfully true.
  25. KirangopalS
    Nov 16, 2021
    10
    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
  26. paltareina
    Nov 16, 2021
    10
    "You are sick, and you're married
    And you might be dying" a cultural reset
  27. picfall_dark
    Nov 13, 2021
    10
    Phoebe did really have a glow-up since Stranger in the Alps. Beautiful and meaningful songs throughout, ending with a song with unpredictable out turns. The lyrics are dark and lovely, portraying moments from Phoebe's childhood and teenage years, with catching and sweet melodies.
  28. Fra101
    Nov 12, 2021
    10
    Really good project, I liked it, I will listen to it again and again and again and again for sure!!!
  29. Tbone413
    Sep 25, 2021
    10
    it’s a haunting emotional trip yet it’s so gorgeous, how an album can pull off both of those simultaneously I don’t know but this is a masterful album in every sense of the word
  30. Thiagoatml
    Aug 21, 2021
    10
    Punisher is perfect. Her compositions are beautiful and well done, the melodies are wonderful and I feel like Phoebe gave her all on this album
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2020
37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 21, 2020
    100
    Punisher is a product of the times, but it’s also one that could have only been made by Phoebe Bridgers. She’s the only artist I can think of who has the ambition and elegance to tackle two crumbling worlds at the same time: the one in her mind, and the one outside her doorstep. It's an album characterized by its finality; a series of lasts in a time where preparing for the end is starting to feel less and less absurd.
    Read full review
  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Jun 24, 2020
    90
    What I think makes this album stand out just a bit more, edgier and whatnot, from her debut three years ago in Stranger in the Alps is there's a fearlessness to embrace the mainstream aesthetic just a bit more. Not something like Lana del Rey's style or that kind of thing, but a more contemporary, alternative and dare I say poppy sound.
    Read full review
  3. Glide Magazine
    Jun 22, 2020
    80
    Punisher is a worthy follow-up to Bridgers’ impressive debut, building upon her distinctive style of storytelling while adding a bit more flavor. Though mostly soft and measured, the poetic imagery and occasional bursts of dynamism keep the album from ever getting dull.
    Read full review
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