Phoebe Bridges has kicked off a new era. The singer-songwriter debuted new music at a couple of surprise shows in Roswell, NM and Lubbock, TX, causing speculation that her third album is on the way. Here’s everything we know so far.
How long has it been since Phoebe Bridgers’ last album?
It’s been six years since Bridgers released Punisher, her sophomore album. In the couple of years that followed, she appeared on tracks by Taylor Swift, SZA, the Killers, the National, and MUNA, among others, and contributed to the Jack Antonoff-curated soundtrack for the Minions: The Rise of Gru. 2023 saw the reunion of boygenius and the release of the group’s debut album, the record, which they toured throughout the year before going on hiatus in February 2024.
When did Phoebe Bridgers return to the spotlight?
On May 7, 2026, Bridgers announced she would be playing a show in Roswell, New Mexico, the following day. Flyers promoting the show indicated no recording devices would be allowed inside during the concert. The same was true for a subsequent show in Lubbock, Texas, announced on May 9 for the same night. Accompanying Bridgers onstage was frequent collaborator Christian Lee Hutson, who played guitar, harmonica, and percussion.
What did Phoebe Bridgers perform at the surprise shows?
Bridgers debuted new music during both shows. The first show featured three new songs, and night two got four, half of which she played during the previous night. Though devices had to be locked in Yondr pouches, you can see the setlists for each night here and here.
What did the new songs sound like?
Reddit user BSismyname described the new songs as “f**king great and also very sad.” One of the new songs allegedly addressed the 2023 death of Bridgers’ father, while another might be about her relationship with Bo Burnham. Another attendee said that Bridgers “experimented with new vocal techniques,” with BSismyname noting that she was “more ‘on her voice,’” and that she sounded “less breathy and with more power.”
Did Phoebe Bridgers tease a new album during the shows?
Bridgers didn’t mention a new album during the shows, but there were some hints. Fans received a small piece of a painting in the pouches their phones were locked in, with some speculating that when combined, the fragments reveal Bridgers’ next album artwork. New merch also seemed to feature rumored lyrics from a new song: “Now I can’t see any stars in the sky/ When a dream comes true, a fantasy dies.” Alien imagery was a theme throughout the shows, which would explain why the first show took place in Roswell.
Who worked on Phoebe Bridgers’ new album?
More clues about Phoebe Bridgers’ third LP were revealed in a now-deactivated link from Bridgers’ publisher Blue Raincoat Music, which displayed “pblp3studioharrisonwhitford” in the URL. (Harrison Whitford is a guitarist who played on Punisher and accompanied Bridgers on tour.) As Stereogum reports, they show in the studio with Matty Healy, Alex G, Jack Anotonoff, Christian Lee Hutson, and Bo Burnham.
This post will be updated…
