Big Black Heart by Better Oblivion Community Center is a Hidden Treasure
Sometimes I will listen to a song 40 times before I actually hear it. I didn’t know the reason I kept with “Big Black Heart” by Better Oblivion Community Center until I realized I might be in love with the song. Compelling at first, and then resonant and beautiful, I found it to be my personal favorite from Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst’s new project. It’s the second to last track on this group’s self-titled debut, buried by [also great] songs like “Dylan Thomas” and “Didn’t Know What I Was In For,” that claim a lot of the attention of this record. “Big Black Heart,” like many on the album, is a great example of how Bridgers and Oberst are able to merge their singular identities into a cohesive duo. In an interview, Oberst explained how the goal was to blend the sound of their voices together rather than split up the verses, allowing the two to transcend from a duet to certified band. One of the major strengths of this duo is their honesty. And not just in the confessional...