Boygenius released their second EP, “the rest,” on Oct. 13, which is a continuation of their full-length debut album “the record” released in March. 

“The rest” was released before Boygenius concluded their tour for “the record” at the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 31. The EP seems like a farewell gift to the fans, as the future of Boygenius remains unknown. In an interview for Apple Music, Zane Lowe asked Boygenius if the release timing was strategic, as it feels like a “beautiful dot, dot, dot (dot)” to “the record” era. 

Lucy Dacus explained that it was about whether or not the songs were ready for “the record.” Phoebe Bridgers said that the three of them are getting really good at recording with each other. The overarching theme of “the record” is their friendship, and “the rest” only amplifies that.

“The rest” consists of four new songs, three of which are individually led by the trio (in typical Boygenius fashion). The EP opens with “Black Hole,” in which they describe the black hole creating stars instead of destroying them – “You can see the stars, the ones/The headlines said this morning/Were bein' spat out by what we thought/Was just destroyin' everything for good.”

Then, it transitions into the Dacus-led “Afraid of Heights.” Dacus describes being friends with someone who is reckless, yet still wanting to remain safe – “I wanna live a vibrant life/But I wanna die a violent death.”

Bridgers leads the folktale-feeling track “Voyager,” in which she describes drifting away from someone. In Bridgers’ song “Moon Song,” she expresses how she would do anything for this person, even give them the moon  – “If I could give you the moon/I would give you the moon.” Now, in “Voyager,” she illustrates how that person took this love from her – “You took it [Earth] from me, but I would’ve given it to you.”

In the Julien Baker-led closer “Powers,” Baker uses comic book tropes and references to destructive scientific reactions to question her own origin story. Bridgers and Dacus join Baker in the outro, as she concludes – “The hum of our contact, the sound of our collisions.” Her voice fades out and horns close out the EP – leaving the listeners to wonder what will come next.

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