Bright Eyes - The People’s Key

(Polydor)

Following musical dalliances with the Mystic Valley Band and Monsters Of Folk, Conor Oberst returns to the Bright Eyes fold with a fresh new take on the big life questions, from ‘who am I?’ and ‘do I really love you?’ to, ‘umm, are those scales on my back?’

A science-fiction theme pervades The People’s Key, inspired by the literature of Kurt Vonnegut and Margaret Atwood and driven by apocalyptic psych rock and compellingly obtuse lyrics all seamlessly woven together by a theoretical monologue based on the idea that we’re ruled by evil reptiles – yes, really. A staggering effort, and if the rumours are true, Oberst’s final work under his most famous moniker. What a way to say goodbye …