Welcome to this week's edition of Record of the Week. This week, the Randomizer serves up a 2020 EP, Phoebe Bridgers' Copycat Killer. This is the copy that's on my turntable today. My copy is actually a 2021 reissue, the original sold out super quick and I was too slow on the trigger. Thankfully, it was given another pressing and I was able to grab this one.
This EP collects 4 songs from her album, Punisher (released in the summer of 2020), and reimagines them with strings. I haven't listened to this in a while, I like these versions well enough but I usually reach for Punisher because I prefer the originals.
The strings are a nice touch but Phoebe's voice is front and center here, and the strings support her in that way. As a result, these tracks are kinda stripped down to their emotional core. I feel like her songs are already emotionally resonant, but this minimalist take definitely gives a different vibe, and maybe a little more impact. I think Chinese Satellite is my fave of the four.
This is a nice EP and an excellent addition to her canon, it's definitely worth tracking down and adding to your collection. Like I mentioned, fans ate it up and sold out the original pressing in a heartbeat. For me, I prefer the originals but it's cool to hear these versions and wonder how they would stand up in a live setting. Could you imagine Phoebe doing an orchestral-only tour? That would be pretty cool.