Taylor Swift wanted Phoebe Bridgers to understand how deeply her latest record has connected with her, and she chose the perfect moment to share her thoughts.
On Monday, Aug. 17, Swift marked Bridgers’ birthday with a post on her Instagram Story. Alongside wishing her friend a happy birthday, the pop star delivered a glowing response to Bridgers’ recently released album, Lost Weekend.
“It’s her birthday but she gave us a gift,” Swift wrote. “Haven’t been able to stop listening. This album is an absolute triumph in every way. To write about grief with such vulnerability and detail, to trust the listener with this much honesty.”
She continued, “Happy Bday @phoebebridgers I love you!!”
Lost Weekend is Bridgers’ first solo studio project since Punisher arrived in 2020, and the positive reactions from listeners, reviewers and fellow artists suggest it was well worth the wait. Released Aug. 14, the album contains 16 songs that explore some of Bridgers’ most intimate subjects yet, including grief, romance, heartbreak and a difficult family past.
Swift has been familiar with Bridgers’ music for years. The musicians previously worked together on “Nothing New (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” which reached No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and appeared on Swift’s 2021 record Red (Taylor’s Version). Bridgers later opened several dates on the Eras Tour and joined Swift to perform their collaboration during multiple concerts.
With Lost Weekend now available, Swift has clearly spent plenty of time listening to the project and appears to have been emotionally affected by it, much like many other fans.
Bridgers has also enjoyed a significant return this year. Arriving after her Grammy success with boygenius, Lost Weekend brings her back to solo music following a six year gap. The record has already received praise for moving her deeply personal writing into more adventurous musical territory while preserving the emotional detail that made Punisher so powerful.
Happy birthday to Bridgers. If Taylor Swift describing Lost Weekend as an “absolute triumph” does not convince you to listen, what are you waiting for?
