Bright Eyes
Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
(Saddle Creek)
Digital Ash feels like the kind of record Oberst might have put out under a psudonym if he hadn’t decided to release two records at once. If I’m Wide Awake is the singer-songwriter opus that cements his status, Digital Urn showcases lyrically similar songs covered in excess: organs, synth, beats, detached vocals. It’s less accessible but still gorgeous. Dear Ben Gibbard: For the next Postal Service record, here’s a new address to add to your mailing list.
—Tara Thorne