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boygeniusloves a good book.
(In fact, Baker herselfonce gave Vulturea corresponding rundown for each song on her 2021 albumLittle Oblivion.
Its not surprising to see these women connect to Batuman.
For one, Dacus is an avowed fan of Russian lit, as she notes in the groupsRolling Stoneprofile.
More telling, however, is the overlap between the authors style and the groups.
Boygenius lyrics are regularly funny in the same way.
Will you be a satanist with me?
/ Mortgage off your soul to buy your dream … vacation home in Florida, Baker asks on Satanist.
Baker is being droll here, contrasting larger-than-life ideologies with a dream that is realistic in its slightness.
The implicit question is not Will you be a satanist?
but What is the value of our potentially consuming goals?
In Bakers hands, the idea of the dream home seems ridiculous, yet human.
Like Batuman, she operates at a slight removal, noticing the inherent ridiculousness of the society around her.
Ecclesiastes
Yes, even the Old Testament makes an appearance.
Meanwhile, Dacus yearns for nihilism even as she reveals herself as someone who cares deeply.
Will you be a nihilist with me?
/ If nothin matters, man, thats a relief, she sings.
TheRolling Stoneprofile reveals that this line is a favorite of Bridgerss.
Like Didions work, Bridgerss lyrics capture her surroundings and mental state with rigorous precision.
Take Letters to an Old Poet, a clear reference to Rainer Maria RilkesLetters to a Young Poet.
So much the better do we make it ours.
The implicit tradeoff between Dacuss favorite line leading to Bridgerss sadness changes the song.
Instead of being the individual evisceration that Bridgers is best known for, here she has backup.
