Phoebe Bridgers Returns With ‘Lost Boys,’ Her First Solo Single in Four Years
Phoebe Bridgers has officially returned to her solo endeavors with the release of her highly anticipated new single, “Lost Boys.” Released on Thursday, the track marks Bridgers’ first solo material in four years. The accompanying music video offers a whimsical, highly stylized visual accompaniment, featuring the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter engaging in suburban Renaissance Faire-style role-playing. Alongside a cast of sword-wielding compatriots clad in makeshift medieval armor, the video prominently features actor Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones, Booksmart) playing a potential armored suitor caught in the historical fantasy.
The four-year hiatus from her solo work follows the massive success of Bridgers’ sophomore album, Punisher, released in June 2020, which propelled her into mainstream indie stardom and earned her four Grammy nominations. Since then, Bridgers has remained a dominant force in the music industry, largely through her work with the acclaimed indie supergroup boygenius alongside Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. The trio’s 2023 debut LP, the record, earned widespread critical acclaim and swept three categories at the 2024 Grammy Awards. "Lost Boys" represents a pivotal step back to Bridgers' distinct solo identity, blending her signature folk-pop melancholy with an eccentric, self-aware visual narrative.
Directed with a keen eye for deadpan humor, the music video juxtaposes the mundane sprawl of suburban manicured lawns and paved driveways with the fantastical imagery of Live Action Role Playing (LARP). Bridgers, adorned in historical garments, navigates the neighborhood alongside her armored companions, culminating in a series of comedic yet earnest interactions with Gisondo. Musically, “Lost Boys” showcases Bridgers’ trademark delicate vocals, atmospheric production, and introspective songwriting, offering fans a familiar yet evolved sonic palette that highlights her growth as an arranger.
While Bridgers has not yet officially announced a third studio album, the arrival of “Lost Boys” has ignited widespread speculation among fans and critics alike that a larger project is on the horizon. Over the past few years, she has also established herself as an industry tastemaker through her own imprint label, Saddest Factory Records. This new release reinforces her unique ability to merge high-concept performance art with deeply personal songwriting, reestablishing her presence as one of the most compelling solo artists of her generation.