Bright Eyes reuniting almost 10 years since the band’s last new album has been one of the few bits of relief for many in the whirlwind year that is 2020. Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was, out this Friday, August 21, on Dead Oceans, has big expectations to fulfill.
The singles, “Persona Non Grata,” “Forced Convalescence,” “One and Done,” and “Mariana Trench,” have introduced an ambitious project that brings together much of Bright Eyes’ previous experimentation with electronics, orchestral arrangements, and dense lyricism.
But the band members, Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott, have left plenty of sonic clues along the way, from the band’s discography to more recent projects, on what we might expect. Here’s a selection of tracks to catch you up before Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was releases.
“One For You, One For Me” – Bright Eyes
This track closed out the band’s previous album, The People’s Key, and gives a pretty good idea of where they left off and what might still be on their minds: pensive introspection, vaguely breakbeat drumming, and a spoken-word sample to end it.
“Dylan Thomas” – Better Oblivion Community Center
Conor Oberst has done anything but lay low since Bright Eyes took a break. One of his more high profile outings has been collaborating with newer, but just as emotionally explosive, artist Phoebe Bridgers. This is one of their best.
“If The Brakeman Turns My Way” – Bright Eyes
This slow builder from 2007’s Cassadaga pairs sweeping strings with tight, dry drums. Like many of Down In The Weeds‘ singles, it gives a heavier emphasis to piano as well.
“Before Your Very Eyes” – Atoms For Peace
Flea joined Bright Eyes in the studio to work on Deep In The Weeds, so if you’re not familiar with the bassist’s playing outside of Red Hot Chili Peppers, this offers a chance to get accustomed. Here he joins members of Radiohead and R.E.M. along with producer Nigel Godrich. Flea’s collaboration with the band may tie to Nate Walcott’s stint as a touring member of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“Light Pollution” – Bright Eyes
2005’s Digital Ash In A Digital Urn leaned heavy into electronics, and that’s a side of the band you’ll likely want to get accustomed to before the new album’s release.
“Bad Ideas” – Saintseneca
Multi-instrumentalist Mike Mogis has made a name for himself outside of Bright Eyes as a producer working with artists including Phoebe Bridgers, Jenny Lewis, and Cursive. His work with Saintseneca often joins folk, acoustic instruments with swirling electronics in a way not far off from some of Bright Eyes’ own material.
“Common Knowledge” – Conor Oberst
One of the spacier cuts from his solo releases, this 2014 track gives a closer look at Oberst’s songwriting since the Bright Eyes hiatus.
“Coat Check Dream Song” – Bright Eyes
This is one of the band’s more expansive vocal adventures, with echoing and intersecting lines over a somewhat psychedelic backing. Expect more sprawling sections from the new album, though the vocals may lean heavier into delay, as they do on single “One And Done,” than on guest vocalists.
“Lua” – Bright Eyes
If you’re new to Bright Eyes, or even if you’re an intense fan, this track is a reminder of the band’s great emotional abilities that draw so many to their music in the first place.
Photo courtesy of Bright Eyes
