{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{about|the Phoebe Bridgers album|the soundtrack album to the 2004 film The Punisher|The Punisher: The Album}} {{Infobox album | name = Punisher | type = studio | artist = Phoebe Bridgers | cover = Phoebe Bridgers Punisher (2020).png | alt = | released = June 18, 2020 | recorded = 2018–2019 | studio = Sound City (Van Nuys, California) | genre =<!-- Genres are sourced in the prose; do not add any genres without a reliable source--> * Indie rock * emo-folk * indie folk | length = 40:37 | label = Dead Oceans | producer = * Tony Berg * Ethan Gruska * Phoebe Bridgers | prev_title = Better Oblivion Community Center | prev_year = 2019 | next_title = Copycat Killer | next_year = 2020 | misc = {{Singles | name = Punisher | type = studio | single1 = Garden Song | single1date = February 26, 2020 | single2 = Kyoto | single2date = April 9, 2020 | single3 = ICU | single3date = May 19, 2020 | single4 = I Know the End | single4date = July 29, 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/phoebe-bridgers-shares-trailer-for-eerie-i-know-the-end-video-2717113 |title=Watch Phoebe Bridgers' eerie new video for 'I Know The End' |first=Tom |last=Skinner |website=NME |date=July 29, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731223005/https://www.nme.com/news/music/phoebe-bridgers-shares-trailer-for-eerie-i-know-the-end-video-2717113 |url-status=live }}</ref> | single5 = Savior Complex | single5date = December 7, 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|title=Future Releases - Triple A|website=allaccess.org|access-date=December 6, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506233048/https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|url-status=live}}</ref> }} }}
'''''Punisher''''' is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, released on June 18, 2020, by Dead Oceans.<ref name="rs-shaffer">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-early-release-1017121/ |title=Phoebe Bridgers Drops Album Early, Encourages Donations for Racial Justice |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |author=Shaffer, Claire |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618183130/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-early-release-1017121/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the follow-up to her 2017 debut album, ''Stranger in the Alps.''
''Punisher'' was recorded over a year and a half period at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and reunited Bridgers with producers Tony Berg and Ethan Gruska, who also engineered ''Alps''. Its recording process was collaborative with its liner notes crediting over two dozen prominent musicians, including Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, Christian Lee Hutson, Jim Keltner, Blake Mills, and Conor Oberst. ''Punisher'' was supported by five singles "Garden Song", "Kyoto", "ICU", "I Know the End" and "Savior Complex". Upon its release, the album attracted acclaim from music critics, who celebrated its open lyricism.
==Background== American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers rose to prominence in the late 2010s with a blend of subdued and specific songwriting that quickly garnered her a significant level of fame among indie rock fans.<ref name="rs20"/> Bridgers grew up writing songs and playing guitar; a Los Angeles native, she attended its County High School for the Arts, where she studied vocal jazz. In 2017, she released her debut album, ''Stranger in the Alps'', on Indiana-based indie label Dead Oceans. The LP received widespread acclaim from critics and peers; guitarist John Mayer heralded it as "the arrival of a giant".<ref name="ny20">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/phoebe-bridgers-frank-anxious-music|title=Phoebe Bridgers's Frank, Anxious Music|first=Amanda|last=Petrusich|date=May 17, 2020|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617001753/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/phoebe-bridgers-frank-anxious-music|url-status=live}}</ref>
She rapidly became an in-demand performer, guesting on songs with the National, Fiona Apple, the 1975, and Jackson Browne.<ref name="p4k20">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/moodboard/phoebe-bridgers-interview-10-things-that-influenced-new-album-punisher/|title=Phoebe Bridgers on the 10 Things That Influenced Her New Album, Punisher|first=Quinn|last=Moreland|website=Pitchfork|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627152129/https://pitchfork.com/features/moodboard/phoebe-bridgers-interview-10-things-that-influenced-new-album-punisher/|url-status=live}}</ref> She formed the all-female supergroup boygenius with musicians Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, which released an EP in 2018.<ref name="nyt20"/> She also began collaborating with Conor Oberst, forming the band Better Oblivion Community Center; it released its debut, self-titled album in 2019.<ref name="bb20"/> She also began closely working with singer-songwriter Christian Lee Hutson, going on to produce Hutson's debut album, ''Beginners'', released in 2020.<ref name="rs20"/> Ryan Leas, writing for ''Stereogum'', observed that Bridgers' growing body of work—particularly before releasing a second album—was already "diverse and complex".<ref name="sg20">{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2086915/phoebe-bridgers-interview-punisher-conor-oberst-1975-boygenius/franchises/interview/footnotes-interview/|title=The Story Behind Every Song On Phoebe Bridgers' New Album Punisher|first=Ryan|last=Leas|website=Stereogum|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626143333/https://www.stereogum.com/2086915/phoebe-bridgers-interview-punisher-conor-oberst-1975-boygenius/franchises/interview/footnotes-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Writing and recording== thumb|upright|Bridgers performing in 2018 Bridgers first began developing songs for ''Punisher'' while on the road touring; many songs predate the release of ''Alps''.<ref name="bb20"/> Songs such as "ICU" were written at soundchecks.<ref name="sg20"/> Bridgers considered her efforts on ''Punisher'' nothing revolutionary but rather a breakthrough in combining her disparate influences: "how to reference a hundred things at once that I've always loved," she said.<ref name="npr20"/> She continued to work with drummer Marshall Vore as her closest collaborator, often approaching him first with song ideas.<ref name="npr20"/> Lyrically, she aimed to imbue each song with an interesting angle, even when it had little to do with her.<ref name="npr20"/> She reworked lyrics frequently,<ref name="ny20"/> writing placeholder verses to amuse herself that she ultimately enjoyed too much to replace.<ref name="npr20"/>
''Punisher'' was recorded at Sound City, a celebrated studio in the L.A. neighborhood of Van Nuys.<ref name="bb20"/> Bridgers considered its illustrious past "not a big selling point" for her<ref name="lat20"/> but conceded it to be a "magical place". ''Punisher'' hosts a wide array of guest performers, including all of Bridgers' collaborators on her side projects.<ref name="npr20"/> She noted that many contributors to the album appear because they were simply around Sound City at the time,<ref name="sg20"/> including veteran percussionist Jim Keltner—known for his work with Bob Dylan and John Lennon—who performs on two tracks, and musician Blake Mills, who adds to three songs on ''Punisher''.<ref name="bb20"/>
The album was worked on sporadically between mid-2018 and late 2019.<ref name="rs20"/> To produce ''Punisher'', she recruited Tony Berg and Ethan Gruska, two previous collaborators on ''Alps''.<ref name="rs20"/> The album came together in a sequential order; many songs were recorded in the order they appear on the album.<ref name="sg20"/> For the title track, Gruska utilized samples of birds, a Mellotron and a back-masked clip of Bridgers' voice that fade in and out at various points in the song—or as Bridgers puts it, "riding the faders". The technique is one she learned from engineer Joseph Lorge.<ref name="bb20"/> Bridgers also continued her practice of double tracking all of her vocals as a tribute to her favorite artist, singer-songwriter Elliott Smith.<ref name="npr20"/> Sonically, the album mixes Bridgers' "arpeggiated guitar work" with "looping synths and eerily groaning strings".<ref name="nyt20"/>
==Themes and composition== thumb|600x600px|The repeating refrain from the conclusion of "I Know the End" ''Punisher'' has been described as an indie rock,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salmon |first=Ben |display-authors=etal |date=June 16, 2020 |title=The Best Indie Rock Albums of 2020 (So Far) |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best/indie-rock-albums-2020/#5-phoebe-bridgers-punisher |access-date=June 17, 2020 |website=Paste |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617070337/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best/indie-rock-albums-2020/#5-phoebe-bridgers-punisher |url-status=live }}</ref> emo-folk,<ref name="rs-review"/> and indie folk album.<ref>{{cite news|author=YP Team|title=Phoebe Bridgers, Punisher|url=https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3117943/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-bts-and-dua-lipa|newspaper=SCMP|accessdate=July 22, 2021|date=April 6, 2021}}</ref> Lyrically, it tackles themes of "missed connections, the tension between the inner and outer self, [and] the lonely ache of watching things end."<ref name="npr20">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/18/879873148/phoebe-bridgers-on-her-new-album-punisher-surprise-released-a-day-early|title=It 'Feels Like A Graduation': Phoebe Bridgers On 'Punisher'|first1=Rachel|last1=Martin|first2=Taylor|last2=Haney|first3=Cyrena|last3=Touros|website=NPR|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627192646/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/18/879873148/phoebe-bridgers-on-her-new-album-punisher-surprise-released-a-day-early|url-status=live}}</ref> In a press release, Bridgers used the words "crying" and the feeling of numbness to describe its contents.<ref name="sg20"/> Quinn Moreland of ''Pitchfork'' interpreted the LP as born from "languid spells of depression, desire, and self-destruction".<ref name="p4k20"/> The album's liner notes dedicate it to Max, a black pug Bridgers had for sixteen years until his passing in 2019. His death had a profound effect on Bridgers, who noted that "going home to an empty apartment was pretty fucked up" and that perhaps it worked its way into the darkness present on ''Punisher''.<ref name="p4k20"/> She also credited the author Joan Didion as an inspiration on ''Punisher''<ref name="ny20"/> and referenced the podcast ''My Favorite Murder'' in two separate articles highlighting her influences on ''Punisher'': "I think it probably snuck in (to the album)", she remarked.<ref name="p4k20"/><ref name="bb20"/>
Bridgers' songwriting ranges from sardonic to sharply honest;<ref name="sg20"/> Lindsay Zoladz of ''The New York Times'' observed that Bridgers "weav[es] tiny, specific, time-stamped details (chemtrails, Saltines, serotonin) into durable big-tent tapestries of feeling."<ref name="nyt20">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/arts/music/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-review.html|title=Phoebe Bridgers Wants to Believe|first=Lindsay|last=Zoladz|work=The New York Times|date=June 19, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627072429/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/arts/music/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Altogether, the album chronicles Bridgers' personal journey towards therapy and being able to better enjoy life. While ''Alps'' is rooted in trauma, ''Punisher'' identifies tools she used to deal with that trauma.<ref name="sg20"/>
==Songs== [[File:京都夜景 2015 (31985638715).jpg|thumb|left|"Kyoto" recounts Bridgers' experience with dissociation during a trip to the Japanese city]] The instrumental "DVD Menu" opens the LP and segues into "Garden Song", the album's lead single. "Garden Song" centers on self-manifestation and how one's actions can push things into motion. Bridgers considered it a "sequel" of sorts to "Smoke Signals", the lead single from ''Alps'', in that they are both love songs.<ref name="sg20"/> Bridgers described "Kyoto" as based around the concept of dissociation—confusion between surroundings and identity, or as Bridgers put it, "living outside your body when cool shit is happening". The song originated from a trip to Japan in which she felt apathetic and unmotivated to explore, and its lyrics are based on her complex relationship with her father. "Kyoto" has been described as one of the catchier songs on the album; its upbeat tone was requested by Berg, who felt she had written too many slow ballads.<ref name="sg20"/> The title track derives its name from an in-joke among musicians: a ''punisher'' is an overzealous fan,<ref name="nyt20"/> one who "lingers at the merch table a little too long".<ref name="sg20"/><ref name="ny20"/> The song examines her longtime love for Elliott Smith, with Bridgers imagining a conversation between them in which she would be the punisher, given her intense devotion to his music.<ref name="ny20"/> Bridgers thought she might self-title the album but settled on ''Punisher'' because it seemed cool and she thought it described her sometimes.<ref name="sg20"/>
"Halloween" centers on a decaying relationship that is being clung to until the holidays.<ref name="p4k20"/> The song's development took over a year and a half, with Bridgers struggling with a verse. Conor Oberst, who sings in the song's second half, suggested she write about a conversation topic she brought up frequently: murders that have taken place at L.A.'s Dodger Stadium.<ref name="sg20"/> "Moon Song" romanticizes a lover who hates themselves. Many commentators singled out the couplet "We hate 'Tears in Heaven'/But it's sad that his baby died" as particularly memorable: these lines refer to guitarist Eric Clapton's account of his son's tragic death.<ref name="sg20"/> She wrote the melody to follow-up song "Savior Complex" in a dream,<ref name="rs20"/> a folk rock and baroque indie pop waltz,<ref name="exclaim!">{{cite web|last1=Stanley|first1=Laura|title=Phoebe Bridgers' Miraculous 'Punisher' Is Larger Than Life|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/phoebe_bridgers_punisher_album_review|publisher=Exclaim!|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref><ref name="paste">{{cite web|last1=Salmon|first1=Ben|title=Phoebe Bridgers captures the mudanity of sadness|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/phoebe-bridgers/punisher-review/|website=Paste|access-date=June 17, 2020|date=June 17, 2020}}</ref> which carries on the subject of a difficult relationship.<ref name="sg20"/> The song's music video, directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, features ex-boyfriend Paul Mescal and is filmed in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=2020-12-02 |title=Phoebe Bridgers on Pal Phoebe Waller-Bridge Directing a ‘Very David Lynchian’ Music Video for ‘Savior Complex’ |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/phoebe-bridgers-savior-complex-waller-bridge-music-video-1234843798/ |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> "ICU"—as in intensive care unit—has been called a "devastating breakup song"<ref name="rs20"/> and recounts Bridgers' breakup with collaborator Marshall Vore, who remains her touring drummer and confidant.<ref name="sg20"/> It contains the lyric "I hate your mom/I hate it when she opens her mouth," which stemmed from an altercation Bridgers had with an ex's mother, who argued with her about President Donald Trump while grocery shopping.<ref name="rs20"/> Bridgers briefly re-titled the song "I See You" upon its debut, so as to remain sensitive to those suffering from COVID-19, but the name was reverted upon the album's release and remains "ICU" on physical editions.
Bridgers penned "Graceland Too"—a country-tinged, lyrical folk, and banjo-led ballad that sonically references her love of bluegrass<ref name="exclaim!"/><ref name="avclub-review"/><ref name="bb20"/>—on a trip to Nashville to visit her bandmates in boygenius, who later added vocals to the song.<ref name="rs20">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-interview-1002273/|title=Laughter, Tears, and Harmony: How Phoebe Bridgers Made 'Punisher'|first=Angie|last=Martoccio|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 27, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626215748/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-interview-1002273/|url-status=live}}</ref> The title references a shrine and tourist attraction to Elvis Presley, south of the original Graceland in the U.S. state of Mississippi. To Bridgers, the locale is used as a vehicle and a "cheap" way to express her feelings.<ref name="sg20"/> "I Know the End" which starts as a folk song,<ref name="paste"/> went through several different iterations and was both the first song to be developed and the last to see completion. Bridgers and Vore first developed the song as a depiction of tour-related depression. Its third verse depicts a coastal drive to visit her relatives in northern California where she saw a SpaceX launch that resembled a spaceship.<ref name="sg20"/> Bridgers sings of passing a highway billboard that reads "the end is near". A chorus of guest vocalists join in and collide in a cacophony of screams.<ref name="nyt20"/>
==Release== ''Punisher'' was highly anticipated.<ref name="rs-review"/> The album's first single, "Garden Song", was released on February 26, 2020,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/phoebe-bridgers-shares-video-for-new-song-garden-song-watch/ |title=Phoebe Bridgers Shares Video for New Song "Garden Song": Watch |work=Pitchfork |date=February 26, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |author=Minsker, Evan |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403091522/https://pitchfork.com/news/phoebe-bridgers-shares-video-for-new-song-garden-song-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with its follow-up, "Kyoto", seeing release on April 9 of that year.<ref name="cos-schatz"/> The album's third single "ICU" (retitled "I See You") was released on May 19, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-phoebe-bridgers-new-song-i-see-you/ |title=Listen to Phoebe Bridgers' New Song "I See You" |work=Pitchfork |date=May 19, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |author=Strauss, Matthew |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606084640/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-phoebe-bridgers-new-song-i-see-you/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The LP was scheduled for release on June 19<ref name="cos-schatz">{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2020/04/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-new-album-kyoto-single/ |title=Phoebe Bridgers Announces New Album Punisher, Shares "Kyoto": Stream |work=Consequence of Sound |date=April 9, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |author=Schatz, Lake |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516135245/https://consequence.net/2020/04/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-new-album-kyoto-single/ |url-status=live }}</ref>—or Juneteenth, the official end of slavery in the U.S.—but Bridgers opted to release it early on digital services, with an announcement encouraging fans to donate to organizations seeking racial justice.<ref name="rs-shaffer"/><ref name="lat20">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-06-18/phoebe-bridgers-punisher|title=Phoebe Bridgers is a singer-songwriter for the ages. Especially this one|first=Mikael|last=Wood|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627185014/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-06-18/phoebe-bridgers-punisher|url-status=live}}</ref> It debuted during a worldwide quarantine related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and amid a period of civil unrest in the U.S., with citizens protesting the murder by police of George Floyd and other people of color. "I'm not [delaying] the record until things go back to 'normal' because I don't think they should," Bridgers wrote on Twitter.<ref name="npr20"/> Touring plans for ''Punisher'' were postponed due to the aforementioned pandemic. Bridgers was scheduled to open for the 1975 on a stadium tour.<ref name="bb20">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/phoebe-bridgers-geeking-out-new-album-punisher-interview-9395623/|title=Phoebe Bridgers Geeked Out on Bluegrass, a Murder Podcast & More While Making New Album|first=Xander|last=Zellner|magazine=Billboard|date=June 3, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627134445/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9395623/phoebe-bridgers-geeking-out-new-album-punisher-interview|url-status=live}}</ref> Bridgers announced a headlining tour set for September and October 2021.<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite magazine |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=Phoebe Bridgers Plots North American Tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/phoebe-bridgers-2021-north-american-tour-dates-1195894/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=23 August 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | ADM = 8.4/10<ref name="adm">{{cite web |url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/12439/Phoebe-Bridgers-Punisher.aspx |title=Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers reviews |work=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614000851/http://anydecentmusic.com/review/12439/Phoebe-Bridgers-Punisher.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> | MC = 90/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/punisher/phoebe-bridgers |title=Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers Reviews and Tracks |work=Metacritic |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617144001/https://www.metacritic.com/music/punisher/phoebe-bridgers |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="am-review">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/punisher-mw0003375607 |title=Punisher - Phoebe Bridgers {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 15, 2026 |author=Thomas, Fred}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The A.V. Club'' | rev2score = A−<ref name="avclub-review">{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/phoebe-bridgers-is-as-anxious-as-the-rest-of-us-but-pu-1844093815 |title=Phoebe Bridgers is as anxious as the rest of us, but Punisher is still a soothing balm |work=The A.V. Club |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |author=Rife, Katie |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623054719/https://music.avclub.com/phoebe-bridgers-is-as-anxious-as-the-rest-of-us-but-pu-1844093815 |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev3 = ''Consequence of Sound'' | rev3score = A−<ref name="cos-review">{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2020/06/album-review-phoebe-bridgers-punisher/ |title=Phoebe Bridgers' Punisher Establishes the Songwriter as a Singular Voice: Review |work=Consequence of Sound |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |author=Sackllah, David |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625043508/https://consequence.net/2020/06/album-review-phoebe-bridgers-punisher/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Daily Telegraph'' | rev4score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="dt-review">{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/punisher-phoebe-bridgers-review-devastatingly-assured-album/ |title=Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers, review: a devastatingly assured album from the songwriter of the moment |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 19, 2020 |author=McCormick, Neil |archive-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620021601/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/punisher-phoebe-bridgers-review-devastatingly-assured-album/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev5 = ''The Independent'' | rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="indy-review">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/phoebe-bridgers-review-punisher-album-stream-tracklist-ryan-adams-kyoto-a9570901.html |title=Phoebe Bridgers review, Punisher: A fantastic, fatalistic album |work=The Independent |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2020 |author=Pollard, Alexandra |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617140433/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/phoebe-bridgers-review-punisher-album-stream-tracklist-ryan-adams-kyoto-a9570901.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Line of Best Fit'' | rev6score = 8/10<ref name="thelineofbestfit-review">{{cite web |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-album-review |title=Phoebe Bridgers Punisher album review |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2020 |author=Nash, Ed |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621073403/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-album-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev7 = ''NME'' | rev7score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="nme-review">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-album-review-2690101 |title=Phoebe Bridgers – 'Punisher' review: atmospheric indie with an undercurrent of anxiety |work=NME |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2020 |author=Hunt, El |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617133459/https://www.nme.com/reviews/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-album-review-2690101 |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev8 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev8score = 8.7/10<ref name="pitchfork-review">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/phoebe-bridgers-punisher/ |title=Phoebe Bridgers: Punisher |work=Pitchfork |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |author=Sodomsky, Sam |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622162300/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/phoebe-bridgers-punisher/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev9 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="rs-review">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-1015848/ |title=Phoebe Bridgers' 'Punisher' is a Visionary Emo-Folk Album |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |author=Bernstein, Jonathan |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617222840/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-1015848/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev10 = ''Slant Magazine'' | rev10score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="slant-review">{{cite web |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-phoebe-bridgers-punisher-gorgeously-simmers-with-impending-doom/ |title=Review: Phoebe Bridgers's ''Punisher'' Gorgeously Simmers with Impending Doom |work=Slant Magazine |date=June 9, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2020 |author=Walsh, Jordan |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616102638/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-phoebe-bridgers-punisher-gorgeously-simmers-with-impending-doom/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }} ''Punisher'' received widespread acclaim from music critics. The album has a score of 90 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 31 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/punisher/phoebe-bridgers|title=Reviews and Tracks for Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers|website=Metacritic|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617144001/https://www.metacritic.com/music/punisher/phoebe-bridgers|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Pitchfork''{{'}}s Sam Sodomsky designated it with the publication's "Best New Music" tag, calling it "marvelous, [...] candid, multi-dimensional, slyly psychedelic, and full of heart. Her music has become a world unto itself."<ref name="pitchfork-review"/> Jonathan Bernstein from ''Rolling Stone'' called the work visionary, "eleven expertly rendered, largely downcast songs about broken faith, desperate, occasionally self-destructive love, and tenuous recovery."<ref name="rs-review"/> ''NME'' gave the album a perfect score, writing, "The LA songwriter's ability to paint this lingering feeling of dread so vividly is perhaps the biggest factor in her rapid rise to cultish indie household name; just look at the state of the world right now."<ref name="NME">{{cite journal |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-album-review-2690101 |title=Phoebe Bridgers – 'Punisher' review: atmospheric indie with an undercurrent of anxiety |journal=NME |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2020 |author=Hunt, El |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617133459/https://www.nme.com/reviews/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-album-review-2690101 |url-status=live }}</ref>
David Sackllah of ''Consequence of Sound'' gave the album an A−, writing "''Punisher'' beams with a restless energy and twisted dream logic that erupts into striking moments of clarity in a way reminiscent of the National's ''Boxer''.<ref name="cos-review" /> Fred Thomas at AllMusic opined that the LP "reaches new depths [...] It's an album of shockingly self-aware explorations of dark feelings and Bridgers is more willing than ever before to throw herself headlong into the darkness."<ref name="avclub-review"/> Alexandra Pollard from ''The Independent'' felt that Bridgers "sharpened and broadened her songwriting" on the album;<ref name="indy-review"/> ''New York Times'' contributor Lindsay Zoladz designated it as a "critic's pick".<ref name="nyt20"/>
Robert Christgau was less enthusiastic, highlighting the songs "ICU" and "Graceland Too" while summarizing the album's merits with the following statement: "If articulated depression is what you crave, does she have lyrical and musical detail for you—philosophical solace or melodic relief, no".<ref name="CG">{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Christgau|date=January 13, 2021|url=https://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/consumer-guide-january-2021|title=Consumer Guide: January, 2021|work=And It Don't Stop|publisher=Substack|accessdate=April 13, 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
==Accolades==
===Year-end lists=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Critics' rankings for ''Punisher'' |- ! scope="col"| Publication ! scope="col"| Accolade ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row"| ''34th Street Magazine'' | ''Street'''s Favorite Albums of 2020 | {{n/a}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.34st.com/article/2020/12/34-street-best-albums-2020-folklore-punisher-after-hours-circles-sawayama-ungodly-hour-set-my-heart-on-fire-immediately|title=Street's Favorite Albums of 2020|website=34th Street Magazine|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=February 26, 2021|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124094138/https://www.34st.com/article/2020/12/34-street-best-albums-2020-folklore-punisher-after-hours-circles-sawayama-ungodly-hour-set-my-heart-on-fire-immediately|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row" | {{sort|A.V. Club|''The A.V. Club''}} | The 20 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|2}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2020|title=The 20 best albums of 2020|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-20-best-albums-of-2020-1845835753|access-date=December 18, 2020|website=The A.V. Club|archive-date=December 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219145027/https://music.avclub.com/the-20-best-albums-of-2020-1845835753|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row" | ''AllMusic'' | ''AllMusic'' Best of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|title=AllMusic Best of 2020 {{!}} AllMusic 2020 in Review|url=https://www.allmusic.com/year-in-review/2020/allmusic-best-of-2020|access-date=December 9, 2020|website=AllMusic|language=en-US|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207211418/https://www.allmusic.com/year-in-review/2020/allmusic-best-of-2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row" | ''Billboard'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|15}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020: Staff Picks|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9494859/best-albums-2020-top-50/|magazine=Billboard|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207191435/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9494859/best-albums-2020-top-50/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Clash'' | ''Clash'' Albums Of The Year 2020 | {{center|3}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=''Clash'' Albums Of The Year 2020|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/clash-albums-of-the-year-2020|magazine=Clash|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214153420/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/clash-albums-of-the-year-2020|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Consequence of Sound'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|3}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|url=https://consequence.net/2020/12/top-50-albums-of-2020/full-post/|work=Consequence of Sound|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201180805/https://consequence.net/2020/12/top-50-albums-of-2020/full-post/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Crack'' | The Top 50 Albums of 2020 | {{center|10}} | {{center|<ref name="Crack">{{cite magazine|title=The Top 50 Albums of 2020|url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/feature-lists/top-50-albums-of-2020/|magazine=Crack Magazine|date=December 5, 2020|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205144611/https://crackmagazine.net/article/feature-lists/top-50-albums-of-2020/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Double J'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|15}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Condon|first=Dan|date=December 9, 2020|title=The 50 best albums of 2020|url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/50-best-albums-of-2020/12947352|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Double J via ABC.net.au|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Esquire'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|1}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ovenden|first=Olivia|date=December 11, 2020|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a30427570/best-albums-2020/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Esquire|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Exclaim!'' | ''Exclaim!'''s 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|3}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/50_best_albums_of_2020|title=50 Best Albums of 2020|website=Exclaim!|date=December 2, 2020|access-date=December 4, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202182236/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/50_best_albums_of_2020|archive-date=December 2, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| {{sort|Fader|''The Fader''}} | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|5}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 50 best albums of 2020|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/12/15/50-best-albums-of-2020-j-hus-flo-milli-fiona-apple-sault-list|magazine=The Fader|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215171228/https://www.thefader.com/2020/12/15/50-best-albums-of-2020-j-hus-flo-milli-fiona-apple-sault-list|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Gaffa'' | 2020's 20 Best Foreign Albums | {{center|8}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gaffa.dk/artikel/146348/her-er-arets-20-bedste-udenlandske-album|title=Her er årets 20 bedste udenlandske album|website=Gaffa|access-date=November 30, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129083513/https://gaffa.dk/artikel/146348/her-er-arets-20-bedste-udenlandske-album/|archive-date=November 29, 2020|language=da}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Gigwise'' | The ''Gigwise'' 51 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|15}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|title=The Gigwise 51 Best Albums of 2020|url=https://www.gigwise.com/features/3393272/the-gigwise-51-best-albums-of-2020|work=Gigwise|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205102216/https://www.gigwise.com/features/3393272/the-gigwise-51-best-albums-of-2020|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Glamour'' | The 30 Best Albums of 2020 | {{N/A}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/best-albums-of-2020|title=The 30 Best Albums of 2020|website=Glamour|last=Rosa|first=Christopher|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215202919/https://www.glamour.com/story/best-albums-of-2020|archive-date=December 15, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="8"| {{sort|Guardian|''The Guardian''}} | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|16}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/01/the-50-best-albums-of-2020|title=The 50 best albums of 2020: the full list|website=The Guardian|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- | Alim Kheraj's Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} | rowspan="7"| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Guardian albums and tracks of 2020: how our writers voted|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/18/guardian-albums-and-tracks-of-2020-how-our-writers-voted|work=The Guardian|date=December 18, 2020|access-date=February 25, 2021|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201218150821/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/18/guardian-albums-and-tracks-of-2020-how-our-writers-voted|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- | Elle Hunt's Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} |- | Eve Barlow's Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} |- | Gwilym Mumford's Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} |- | Kate Solomon's Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} |- | Kathryn Bromwich's Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} |- | Katie Hawthorne's Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} |- ! scope="row"| ''GQ'' (UK) | Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|2}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|title=Best albums of 2020 that made the year more tolerable|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/gallery/best-albums-2020|work=British GQ|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225073028/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/gallery/best-albums-2020|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Insider'' | The 20 Best Albums of 2020, Ranked | {{center|4}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/best-albums-released-this-year-2020-4|title=The 20 best albums of 2020, ranked|website=Insider|last=Ahlgrim|first=Callie|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=December 9, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201208224047/https://www.insider.com/best-albums-released-this-year-2020-4|archive-date=December 8, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| {{sort|Line of Best Fit|''The Line of Best Fit''}} | The Best Albums of 2020 Ranked | {{center|4}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/articles/best-albums-2020-ranked|title=The Best Albums Of 2020 Ranked|website=The Line of Best Fit|date=December 3, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205143432/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/articles/best-albums-2020-ranked|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| {{sort|New Yorker|''The New Yorker''}} | The Best Music of 2020 | {{center|10}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2020-in-review/the-best-music-of-2020|title=The Best Music of 2020|magazine=The New Yorker|date=November 27, 2020|access-date=November 27, 2020|last=Schatz|first=Lake|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127150411/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2020-in-review/the-best-music-of-2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| {{sort|New York Times|''The New York Times''}} | Lindsay Zoladz's Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|2}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zoladz|first=Lindsay|date=December 2, 2020|title=Lindsay Zoladz's Best Albums of 2020|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/arts/music/best-albums.html#link-6694c10|access-date=May 11, 2021|website=The New York Times|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''NME'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|5}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 11, 2020|title=The 50 best albums of 2020|url=https://www.nme.com/features/nme-best-albums-of-the-year-2020-2835612|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=NME|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Noisey'' | The 100 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|22}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-100-best-albums-of-2020-noisey/|title=The 100 Best Albums of 2020|website=Noisey via Vice.com|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205082709/https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7a7xa/the-100-best-albums-of-2020-noisey/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''NPR'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|4}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best Albums of 2020|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/02/934633044/the-50-best-albums-of-2020-page-5|website=NPR|access-date=December 3, 2020|date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212002004/https://www.npr.org/2020/12/02/934633044/the-50-best-albums-of-2020-page-4|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Nylon'' | ''Nylon'''s Top Albums Of 2020 | {{N/A}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/nylon-top-albums-of-the-year-2020|title=Nylon's Top Albums Of 2020|website=Nylon|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214163940/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/nylon-top-albums-of-the-year-2020|archive-date=December 14, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Our Culture Mag'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|2}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pappis|first=Konstantinos|date=December 14, 2020|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|url=https://ourculturemag.com/2020/12/14/the-50-best-albums-of-2020/|access-date=December 16, 2020|website=Our Culture Mag|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214225547/https://ourculturemag.com/2020/12/14/the-50-best-albums-of-2020/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Paste'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|14}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/best-albums-of-2020/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|work=Paste|date=November 30, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203064256/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/best-albums-of-2020/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Pitchfork'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|4}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2020/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|website=Pitchfork|last=Zhang|first=Cat|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=December 9, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209031253/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2020/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''PopBuzz'' | The 20 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|7}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popbuzz.com/music/features/20-best-albums-of-2020/|title=The 20 Best Albums of 2020|website=PopBuzz|date=December 10, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2020|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210220909/https://www.popbuzz.com/music/features/20-best-albums-of-2020/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''PopSugar'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|14}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=Cubit|first=Brea|url=https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/best-albums-2020-48035096?stream_view=1|title=Presenting 50 of the Best Albums to Drop in 2020|website=PopSugar|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201222215902/https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/best-albums-2020-48035096?stream_view=1%23photo-48035155|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Rolling Stone'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|10}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 50 Albums of 2020|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2020-1096814/|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 5, 2020|date=December 4, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205011240/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2020-1096814/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Shondaland'' | The Best Music of 2020 | {{N/A}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a34777840/the-best-music-of-2020/|title=The Best Music of 2020|publisher=Shondaland|last=Hayes|first=Tyler|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201180338/https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a34777840/the-best-music-of-2020/|archive-date=December 1, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| {{sort|Skinny|''The Skinny''}} | Top 10 Albums of 2020 | {{center|2}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/opinion/albums-of-the-year/the-skinnys-top-albums-of-2020|title=Favourite Albums of 2020|website=The Skinny|date=November 30, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130200440/https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/opinion/albums-of-the-year/the-skinnys-top-albums-of-2020|archive-date=November 30, 2020|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Slate'' | The Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|1}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/12/best-albums-2020-plus-best-songs.html|title=The Best Albums of 2020|website=Slate|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204184931/https://slate.com/culture/2020/12/best-albums-2020-plus-best-songs.html|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Spin'' | The 30 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|7}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 10, 2020|title=The 30 Best Albums of 2020|url=https://www.spin.com/featured/30-best-albums-2020/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Spin|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Stereogum'' | The Top 50 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|28}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2108664/best-albums-2020/lists/year-in-review/2020-in-review/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|website=Stereogum|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205134154/https://www.stereogum.com/2108664/best-albums-2020/lists/year-in-review/2020-in-review/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Time Out'' | The 15 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|{{N/A}}}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 11, 2020|title=The 15 best albums of 2020: new music that pulled us through|url=https://www.timeout.com/music/best-albums-of-2020|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Time Out|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Under the Radar'' | Top 100 Albums of 2020 | {{center|1}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_100_albums_of_2020/|title=Top 100 Albums of 2020|website=Under the Radar|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125155421/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_100_albums_of_2020/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Uproxx'' | The Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|15}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2020-list/|title=The Best Albums of 2020|website=Uproxx|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205082709/https://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2020-list/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Us Weekly'' | 10 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|7}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hautman|first=Nicholas|date=December 24, 2020|title=10 Best Albums of 2020 Include Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, The Weeknd and More: Year in Review|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/10-best-albums-of-2020-taylor-swift-bob-dylan-the-weeknd-more/|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=Us Weekly|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224135011/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/10-best-albums-of-2020-taylor-swift-bob-dylan-the-weeknd-more/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''USA Today'' | The 10 Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|8}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ryan|first=Patrick|date=December 15, 2020|title=The 10 best albums of 2020, including Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Chloe x Halle|url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/entertainment/music/2020/12/14/10-best-albums-2020-list-ranked-taylor-swift-folklore-evermore-ariana-grande-positions/3856183001/|access-date=December 16, 2020|website=USA Today|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214225548/https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/entertainment/music/2020/12/14/10-best-albums-2020-list-ranked-taylor-swift-folklore-evermore-ariana-grande-positions/3856183001/|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"| ''Variety'' | Chris Willman's Albums of 2020 | {{center|7}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=December 15, 2020|title=Year In Review: The Best Albums of 2020 (Chris Willman)|url=https://variety.com/lists/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-dua-lipa-weeknd-phoebe-bridgers/chris-willman-10-best/|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=Variety|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218094702/https://variety.com/lists/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-dua-lipa-weeknd-phoebe-bridgers/chris-willman-10-best|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref>}} |- | Jem Aswad's Albums of 2020 | {{center|6}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=December 15, 2020|title=Year In Review: The Best Albums of 2020 (Jem Aswad)|url=https://variety.com/lists/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-dua-lipa-weeknd-phoebe-bridgers/jem-aswad-10-best/|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Vulture'' | The Best Albums of 2020 | {{center|5}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jenkins|first=Craig|date=December 9, 2020|title=The Best Albums of 2020|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-best-albums-of-2020.html|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Vulture|language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Wonderland'' | The Best Albums of 2020 (Part 2) | {{center|{{N/A}}}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Slater|first=Bailey|date=December 18, 2020|title=The Best Albums of 2020 (Part 2)|url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2020/12/18/best-albums-2020-part-2/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Wonderland|language=en-US}}</ref>}} |- |}
===Awards=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Awards and nominations for ''Punisher'' |- ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Ceremony ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Nominated Work ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | rowspan="3" |2021 | rowspan="3" |Grammy Awards | Best Alternative Music Album | ''Punisher'' | {{Nominated}} | rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|title=Grammy Nominations 2021: Beyoncé, Fiona Apple, Phoebe Brigers, Taylor Swift Lead Nominees|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2021-beyonce-fiona-apple-phoebe-brigers-taylor-swift-lead-nominees/|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Pitchfork|date=24 November 2020 |language=en-us|archive-date=2020-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124182550/https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2021-beyonce-fiona-apple-phoebe-brigers-taylor-swift-lead-nominees/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |Best Rock Performance | rowspan="2" |"Kyoto" |{{Nominated}} |- |Best Rock Song |{{Nominated}} |}
==Track listing== {{Track listing | title1 = DVD Menu | writer1 = Phoebe Bridgers | length1 = 1:09
| title2 = Garden Song | writer2 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Christian Lee Hutson *Marshall Vore}} | length2 = 3:39
| title3 = Kyoto | writer3 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Morgan Nagler *Vore}} | length3 = 3:04
| title4 = Punisher | writer4 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Conor Oberst *Vore}} | length4 = 3:09
| title5 = Halloween | writer5 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Hutson *Oberst}} | length5 = 4:31
| title6 = Chinese Satellite | writer6 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Oberst *Vore}} | length6 = 3:37
| title7 = Moon Song | writer7 = Bridgers | length7 = 4:37
| title8 = Savior Complex | writer8 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Hutson *Oberst}} | length8 = 4:01
| title9 = ICU | writer9 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Vore *Nicholas White}} | length9 = 3:10
| title10 = Graceland Too | writer10 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Hutson}} | length10 = 3:56
| title11 = I Know the End | writer11 = {{flatlist| *Bridgers *Hutson *Oberst *Vore}} | length11 = 5:44 | total_length = 40:37 }} {{clear}}
== Personnel == Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.
'''Musicians''' {{div col}} * Julien Baker – vocals (10, 11) * Tony Berg – electric guitar (3, 6, 8, 9), autoharp (3), Syndrum (4), Mellotron (7), bandura (7), banjo (10) * Phoebe Bridgers – lead vocals, baritone electric guitar (1, 3, 6, 11), "rubber Bridgers" guitar (3, 9), electric guitar (3, 9), fader performance (4), nylon guitar (7), hi strung guitar (8, 10) * Anna Butterss – bass (9) * Lucy Dacus – vocals (10, 11) * Lukas Frank – vocals (11) * Ethan Gruska – sound design (1, 5–8, 11), programming (2), synthesizers (2, 3, 5, 11), electric guitar (3), acoustic guitar (9), Mellotron (3, 9, 11), piano (4, 5, 7), Pocket Piano (7), vocoder (4), fader performance (4), tenor bass (4), sub-bass (4), bass (6, 7), Optigan flutes (5, 11), sampling (9), pump organ (10) * Christian Lee Hutson – 12-string guitar (2), baritone electric guitar (5), acoustic guitar (8), celeste (8), vocals (11) * Jim Keltner – drums (5, 8) * Jenny Lee Lindberg – bass (3, 9, 11) * Joseph Lorge – electric guitar (3) * Malcolm McRae – vocals (11) * Blake Mills – baritone electric guitar (5), slat drum (5), clarinet (8) * Rob Moose – strings (1, 4, 6, 8, 11), string arrangement * Conor Oberst – vocals (5, 11) * Emily Retsas – bass (11) * Kane Ritchotte – vocals (11) * Sebastian Steinberg – upright bass (5, 8), bowed bass (10) * Tomberlin – vocals (11) * Marshall Vore – drums (3, 6, 7, 9, 11), percussion (3, 4, 6, 9, 11), vocals (9, 11) * Jeroen Vrijhoef – vocals (2, 11) * Nathaniel Walcott – horns (3, 11), horn arrangement * Sara Watkins – fiddle (10) * Nick White – piano (11), Mellotron (11) * Harrison Whitford – electric guitar (3, 6, 7, 9), 12-string acoustic guitar (3), 12-string electric guitar (3), hi strung acoustic guitar (3), acoustic guitar (10) *Nick Zinner – electric guitar (11) {{div col end}} {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Engineers''' * Will Maclellan – engineering * Joseph Lorge – engineering * Mike Mogis – mixing * Bob Ludwig – mastering {{col-2}} '''Artwork''' * Olof Grind – photography * Chris Riddell – booklet illustrations * Travis DeMello – booklet layout and design * Nathaniel David Utesch – layout, design {{col-end}}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for ''Punisher'' |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Australia|12|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|album=Punisher|rowheader=true|access-date=August 2, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|20|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|album=Punisher|rowheader=true|access-date=June 26, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|96|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|rowheader=true|access-date=June 30, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|43|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|album=Punisher|rowheader=true|access-date=June 26, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Germany|39|id=414500|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|album=Punisher|rowheader=true|access-date=June 26, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Ireland3|18|date=20200626|rowheader=true|access-date=June 26, 2020}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|10|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|album=Punisher|rowheader=true|access-date=August 2, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|3|date=20200626|rowheader=true|access-date=June 26, 2020}} |- ! scope="row"| Sweden Vinyl (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/216?dspy=2022&dspp=7|title=Veckolista Vinyl, vecka 7|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> | 3 |- {{album chart|Switzerland|37|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|album=Punisher|rowheader=true|access-date=July 1, 2020}} |- {{album chart|UK2|6|date=20200626|rowheader=true|access-date=June 26, 2020}} |- {{album chart|UKAmericana|3|date=20200626|rowheader=true|access-date=April 15, 2022}} |- !scope="row"|UK Independent Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20200626/131/|title=Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 - 26 June 2020|website=Official Charts |access-date=April 15, 2022}}</ref> |1 |- {{album chart|Billboard200|43|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|rowheader=true|access-date=June 30, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|4|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|rowheader=true|access-date=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|2|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|rowheader=true|access-date=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|6|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|rowheader=true|access-date=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|4|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|rowheader=true|access-date=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardVinyl|2|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|rowheader=true|access-date=January 14, 2021}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for ''Punisher'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Top Current Album Sales<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/current-albums|title=Top Current Album Sales - Year-End 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 4, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203210128/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/current-albums|url-status=live}}</ref> | 160 |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Top Current Album Sales<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/current-albums/|title=Top Current Album Sales - Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> | 60 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Punisher''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|title=Punisher|award=Gold|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|access-date=April 15, 2023|id=17958-5897-2}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Phoebe Bridgers|title=Punisher|award=Gold|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|access-date=November 23, 2023}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Phoebe Bridgers}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2020 albums Category:Albums produced by Phoebe Bridgers Category:Phoebe Bridgers albums Category:Dead Oceans albums Category:Albums produced by Tony Berg Category:Albums produced by Mike Mogis Category:Libera Award for Record of the Year