Bright Eyes Returns with Eclectic "Five Dice, All Threes" Album

Indie folk trio Bright Eyes is poised to unveil their latest musical endeavor, "Five Dice, All Threes", on September 20, 2024. This release marks the band's first collection of new material since their 2020 reunion, following a nine-year hiatus that began in 2011.

The album presents a complex auditory tapestry, interweaving confessional lyrics with opaque narratives, creating an intimate yet expansive sonic experience. Conor Oberst, the band's frontman known for his distinctive trembling vocals, continues to serve as the emotional core of the group's sound.

Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, longtime collaborators of Oberst, contribute their musical expertise to the album. Their instrumental prowess spans a wide range, incorporating banjo, pedal steel, synthesizer, and celeste into the mix. The result is a lo-fi yet intricately layered soundscape, further enhanced by the inclusion of movie dialogue and dice game sounds.

The album's compositions, primarily crafted by Oberst with assistance from Walcott and Alex Levine of the So So Glos, draw inspiration from diverse genres. Elements of punk, power pop, and classic rock are evident, with subtle influences from jazz and hip-hop. This eclectic blend provides a fitting backdrop for the album's exploration of themes such as discontent, disillusionment, and mortality.

Despite the weighty subject matter, "Five Dice, All Threes" maintains moments of levity. The opening track features a whimsical whistling introduction reminiscent of Disney productions, while Oberst's lyrics occasionally veer into playful territory. For instance, in "Bells and Whistles", he quips, "You shouldn't place bets on the New York Mets."

The album features notable guest appearances, including Matt Berninger of The National, whose deep baritone adds gravitas to "The Time I Have Left". Chan Marshall, known professionally as Cat Power, lends her ethereal vocals to "All Threes", a song that contemplates the passage of time.

Throughout the album, Oberst's lyrics touch on a wide array of subjects, from artificial intelligence to aging, and even current events. In "Real Feel 105°", he references recent weather conditions, singing, "Hot in LA tonight," alluding to the heatwave that occurred approximately a week before the album's release.

"I hate the protest singer staring at me in the mirror"

This introspective line from the song "Hate" showcases Oberst's self-awareness and complex relationship with his role as a musical commentator on societal issues.

As the 11th studio album in Bright Eyes' discography, "Five Dice, All Threes" continues the band's tradition of blending folk and indie rock elements while pushing their sound in new directions. Since their formation in Omaha, Nebraska in 1995, the group has consistently produced music that resonates with listeners through its emotional depth and musical innovation.

With this latest offering, Bright Eyes reaffirms their position as influential figures in the indie folk genre, delivering a record that is both a reflection of our times and a deeply personal artistic statement.