IN the past 12 months Lucy Dacus' Boygenius bandmates Julien Baker (Little Oblivions) and Phoebe Bridgers (Punisher) have delivered acclaimed albums. The latter was among 2020's highlights.
Dacus has been similarly inspired by her association in the three-woman supergroup and their 2018 self-titled EP. Home Video, the third album from the 26-year-old from Norfolk, Virginia is easily her most immersive, following on from No Burden (2016) and Historian (2018).
Home Video is a nostalgic and emotional examination of adolescence, like opening up a long-forgotten diary, sound-tracked by Ducas' minimalist indie and haunting country-folk vocals.
It deals with betrayal (Cartwheel), conflicted faith (VBS), lust (First Time) and on the stunning Thumbs Dacus tells the story of her friend whose father attempts to re-enter her life at 19 after abandoning her as a kid.
Dacus sings in support "I would kill him if you let me" before delivering the poignant line of "You two are connected by a pure coincidence/ Bound to him by blood, but baby, it's all relative."