Bright Eyes, Persona Non Grata | Track Review 🎵

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Indie/alternative rock collective Bright Eyes returns with its first song since 2011, “Persona Non Grata.” The results are superb. 

“Unwelcome in the autumn / Persona non grata / I’m the last of the best / I’m your thoughts in the swamp.” Phew – that’s a lot to unpack! First things first, this song, “Persona Non Grata,” marks the first new Bright Eyes song since 2011, when the band released the album, The People’s Key. Conor Oberst has remained active since then, but unassociated with the collective itself.  The next thing to unpack from the excerpted lyrics? Simply the reference of persona non grata, which is defined as “a person who is unacceptable or unwelcome.” Honestly, considering the title and subject, there’s lots to like about “Persona Non Grata.”

First and foremost, Conor Oberst is true to self throughout “Persona Non Grata.” What does that mean? Well, ultimately, listeners experience the vocal style and songwriting style they’ve been accustomed to and come to love throughout his lengthy career.  Once you hear Oberst sing, you almost instantly know it’s him, considering his tone of voice and delivery.  That’s the case on “Personal Non Grata” – he’s instantly recognizable.  Furthermore, the lyricism is emotional, poetic, and quite engaging. Take the first verse: “Getting dressed for a date / Put on blue aftershave / Wore a kilt like a Celt / Hid the weight that I felt.”  Worth noting about the Celt lyric is the use of bagpipes – Pretty cool ‘tone poem’ element in that regard.

Final Thoughts 

Of course, the kilt/Celt lyric is only one lyrical excerpt.  There are so many more gems on this brilliant, thoughtfully penned record, which references the disenfranchised, spirituality/hypocrisy, and of course, politics.  President Donald Trump is never explicitly mentioned, but his presence is clearly perceptible throughout.  Additionally, “Persona Non Grata” is well produced, beyond the aforementioned, creative incorporation of bagpipes.  Bright Eyes comes back strong – I could write so much more about this three-and-a-half-minute song, sigh!

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Bright Eyes • “Persona Non Grata” • Dead Oceans • Release: 3.24.20

Photo Credit: Dead Ocean