Phoebe Bridgers Wants Fans to Support Racial Justice Before Listening to Her New Album, ‘Punisher’

The indie-rock star released the album on June 18, one day before its scheduled release.

Despite her album release being scheduled for June 19, Phoebe Bridgers has spent the last couple of weeks fighting for the Black Lives Matter movement instead of promoting Punisher. Protesters worldwide have been demanding racial justice after George Floyd was murdered by police officers in Minneapolis, MN. To show solidarity with the movement, Bridgers used her online platform to share fundraisers, support Black Trans Lives, and advocate for defunding the police.

On June 18, Bridgers unexpectedly dropped her album Punisher on her social media. The release, however, had a twist: The link she provided lead to a database of organizations for fans to donate to, such as Movement for Black Lives, Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, and The Trevor Project. At the bottom of the page, fans could also click on the “I’ve Donated” button to access the album.

“I’m not pushing the record until things go back to ‘normal’ because I don’t think they should,” Bridgers wrote in the tweet. “Here it is a little early. Abolish the police. Hope you like it.”

I’m not pushing the record until things go back to “normal” because I don’t think they should. Here it is a little early. Abolish the police. Hope you like it.https://t.co/vmwERN0SOm

— traitor joe (@phoebe_bridgers) June 18, 2020

Released through Dead Oceans, Punisher is Bridgers’ second studio album. It features a total of 11 tracks, including the singles “Garden Song,” “Kyoto,” and “I See You.” With songs discussing inner struggles, personal fears, and loneliness, Punisher received incredibly positive reviews: It currently scores 90% on Metacritic, with some critics even calling it one of the best albums of 2020.

Still, despite a killer album, Bridgers doesn’t want to distract anyone from what really matters at the moment.

“I’m trying really hard to put it out and simultaneously not make what is happening on earth about me,” Bridgers shared in an interview with NPR. “I just hope to do what I can and direct people to the charities that I feel are important.”

Make sure to listen to Phoebe Bridgers’ Punisher, but don’t forget to support organizations that fight for racial justice while you’re at it. You can check out Bridgers’ database of places to donate to by clicking here or on the posts above.