Bright Eyes Gets Universal On ‘Lifted’

Though Bright Eyes’ latest effort ‘Lifted’ is replete with songs about one-night stands, girlfriend nostalgia, family foibles, and artistic self-doubt, singer Conor Oberst says he’s finally crossed the line between self-reflection for its own sake and broader forms of meditation. “I was aiming for something more universal this time around,” he says. “I mean, there’s a balance — I don’t think anyone who writes anything can help writing about themselves. But, like, I think this was the first time it really occurred to me that other people would be listening to these songs, and I wanted them to find something there . . . something hopeful?” Read more.