Indie supergroup boygenius released four singles ahead of the release of their first studio album, “the record.” The trio, composed of artists Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, released these impactful tracks following their 2018 self-titled EP, which included fan favorites such as “Souvenir” and “Me & My Dog.”

With three of the biggest names from the “sad girl indie” genre, the band has amassed a cult following, much like each of the aforementioned artists. Bridgers, Dacus and Baker all have common themes of mental health in their individual discographies, as well as in their boygenius tracks.

The full album is set to be released on Friday, March 31. For the time being, here is a track-by-track look into the newly released singles.

“Not Strong Enough”
This track is an unusual and seemingly upbeat tune compared to most of the triad’s discography, but the change in tone is welcomed and sung beautifully.

After a closer look, the mood of the song is definitely compliant with the rest of the artists’ music. The song opens with the lyrics “Black hole opened in the kitchen / Every clocks a different time” and follows with “I don’t know why I am / The way I am / Not strong enough to be your man.” In an interview with Rolling Stone in January, Bridgers revealed that this line was inspired by Sheryl Crow’s 1994 single “Strong Enough.”

“Half a mind that keeps the other second guessing / Close my eyes and count,” Baker and Bridgers chime in the chorus.

The song, premiering as Radio 1’s Hottest Record, seems to highlight the narrator’s fears of failing to be a “good enough” partner, whether that be romantic or platonic, and dealing with heavy feelings of self-hatred.

“$20”
The second track is fiery with scattered harmonies, beginning with the firm strum of the guitar and the lyrics “It’s a bad idea and I’m all about it / Give it one more chance and / Then I finally had it.”

This verse parallels the chorus of Julian Bakers’ “Crying Wolf” from her 2021 album “Little Oblivions,” which contains the lyrics “Cause I’m not crying wolf / I’m out here looking for them / In the morning when I wake up . . . I swear of all the things I thought that got me here.” Both verses deal with the narrator’s engagement with self-destructive impulses, justifying the actions by claiming this will be the last time they’re committed.

Similarly, “Souvenir,” the third track from the group’s self-titled EP also deals with the theme of self-hatred and trying everything to stop it. The track ends in a blissful mess, with lyrics such as “Can you give me twenty dollars?” and “I know you have twenty dollars” which could also be in reference to “Souvenir,” where Dacus sings “Twenty dollars and a souvenir / Anything’s worth trying.”

“Emily I’m Sorry”
Led by Bridgers with backing vocals by Baker and Dacus, the track was written by Bridgers after the release of her solo album “Punisher” and sent to the other two coinciding artists as a proposal — “Can we be a band again?”

“She’s asleep in the backseat / Looking peaceful enough to me / But she’s waking up inside a dream / Full of screeching tires and fire.”

Although portrayed in a negative light, dreams are a common theme represented in Bridger’s music, mentioned in songs such as “Funeral” and “Georgia” respectively with the lyrics “And I have this dream where I’m screaming underwater / And all my friends are waving from the shore” and “He came up from the water without a sound / With my back to the shoreline I dreamt that he drowned.”

The track itself seems to be an apology, and while fans may theorize to whom it belongs to, it is clear that Bridgers expresses her worry that her fate is to be unlovable to anyone but Emily. She will do anything to make Emily think she is worth something.

Throughout the song, the narrator comes to terms with the fact that she hasn’t treated Emily well. “Now I’m wide awake, spiraling / And you don’t wanna talk.” Bridgers has literally and metaphorically woken up and wants to change but realizes it’s too late and her relationship with Emily is unsalvageable.

“True Blue”
The final single teased, my personal favorite, explores themes similar to Dacus’ third studio album, “Home Video,” which perpetuates the struggles of moving away from home, as well as finding both yourself and love. It is a perfect melancholy track for the summer.

“You say you’re a winter ***** / But summer’s in your blood / You can’t help but become the sun,” Dacus sings. With a beautiful delivery, this lyric stunned me and is largely the reason why I love this track so much.

The lyric “And it feels good to be known so well” could be a reference to Dacus’ track “Brando” from “Home Video”, where she writes: “All I need for you to admit is that you never knew me like you thought you did.”

“I can’t hide from you like I hide from myself / I remember who I am when I’m with you / Your love is tough, your love is tried and true-blue.”

Although the narrator has troubles within their relationship, this song clearly represents their connection and love. The phrase “true blue” itself means to be “unwavering in one’s commitment; extremely loyal.” This song is a perfect and beautiful oral depiction of the phrase.

As always, Bridgers, Dacus and Baker have created yet another perfect collection of bittersweet, despondent and reflective tracks, and I’ll be keeping these songs on repeat as I anxiously await the album’s full release.