The People's Key

The People's Key
Studio album by
Bright Eyes
ReleasedFebruary 15, 2011
StudioARC (Omaha)
Genre
Length46:58
LabelSaddle Creek
ProducerMike Mogis
Bright Eyes chronology
Cassadaga
(2007) 		The People's Key
(2011) 		Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
(2020)
Singles from The People's Key
  1. "Shell Games"
    Released: 2011
Singles from The People's Key: A Companion
  1. "When You Were Mine (Companion version)"
    Released: May 9, 2023

The People's Key is the ninth studio album by American band Bright Eyes. The album was recorded in Omaha, Nebraska at ARC Studios, produced by Mike Mogis, and engineered by Mogis and Andy LeMaster. The album was released on February 15, 2011, lead singer Conor Oberst's 31st birthday, by Saddle Creek Records.[1] Prior to its official release, the album was available to stream online in its entirety, as part of NPR's "First Listen" series.[2]

The album features guest artists Andy LeMaster of Now It's Overhead, Matt Maginn of Cursive, Carla Azar of Autolux, Clark Baechle of The Faint, Shane Aspegren of The Berg Sans Nipple, Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds, and Denny Brewer of Refried Ice Cream.[3] The lyrics make mention of Haile Selassie, the Lion of Judah and I and I; all things associated with Rastafari.

The album was reissued by Dead Oceans alongside a six-track companion EP on June 16, 2023.[4]

  1. ^ Breihan, Tom. "Bright Eyes Return With New Album", Pitchfork, November 30, 2010, accessed November 30, 2010.
  2. ^ NPR. "NPR First Listen: Bright Eyes — The People's Key", NPR, January 31, 2011, accessed January 31, 2011.
  3. ^ Smith, Bethany. "Bright Eyes’ releasing The People’s Key February 2011" Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine, Popwreckoning, November 30, 2010, accessed November 30, 2010.
  4. ^ Corcoran, Nina (May 9, 2023). "Bright Eyes Announce "Companion" Reissues of Cassadaga, Noise Floor, and The People's Key". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 12, 2023.