The List of Bright Eyes Albums in Order of Release Date

All Bright Eyes Albums Available on:  Apple Music 

Also See: My Morning Jacket Albums in Order

How many albums does Bright Eyes have?

The discography of Bright Eyes consists of twelve studio albums, one compilation album, one live album, two box sets, fourteen extended plays, 36 singles, and fifteen music videos.

The List of Bright Eyes Albums in Order of Release Date

Here is the list of Bright Eyes Album in Order of Release Date:

1. A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995–1997 — January 20, 1998
2. Letting Off the Happiness — November 2, 1998
3. Fevers and Mirrors — May 29, 2000
4. Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground — August 13, 2002
5. A Christmas Album — December 1, 2002
6. I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning — January 25, 2005
7. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn — January 25, 2005
8. Cassadaga — April 10, 2007
9. The People’s Key — February 15, 2011
10. Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was — August 21, 2020
11. Five Dice, All Threes — September 20, 2024
12. Kids Table — September 26, 2025

All Bright Eyes Albums List in Order

---

1. A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995–1997 (1998)

Tracks:

1. The Invisible Gardener
2. Patient Hope in New Snow
3. Saturday as Usual
4. Falling Out of Love at This Volume
5. Exaltation on a Cool Kitchen Floor
6. The Awful Sweetness of Escaping Sweat
7. Puella Quam Amo Est Pulchra
8. Driving Fast Through a Big City at Night
9. How Many Lights Do You See?
10. I Watched You Taking Off
11. A Celebration Upon Completion
12. Emily, Sing Something Sweet
13. All of the Truth
14. One Straw (Please)
15. Lila
16. A Few Minutes on Friday
17. Supriya
18. Solid Jackson
19. Feb. 15th
20. The ‘Feel Good’ Revolution

A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995–1997 is the debut studio album by Bright Eyes and marks Conor Oberst’s first major commercial release. Originally issued by Saddle Creek Records, the album captures Oberst’s raw early songwriting through intimate vocals, guitar work, and lo-fi experimentation. Reissued in 2022 by Dead Oceans with a six-track companion EP, it highlights alternate versions and deeper cuts from the same era. Featuring heartfelt tracks like “Falling Out of Love at This Volume” and “The Invisible Gardener,” the collection offers an honest look at Bright Eyes’ beginnings and the emotional foundations of Oberst’s later work.

2. Letting Off the Happiness (1998)

Tracks:

1. If Winter Ends
2. Padraic My Prince
3. Contrast and Compare
4. The City Has Sex
5. The Difference in the Shades
6. Touch
7. June on the West Coast
8. Pull My Hair
9. A Poetic Retelling of an Unfortunate Seduction
10. Tereza and Tomas

Letting Off the Happiness is the second studio album by indie rock band Bright Eyes, released on November 2, 1998. Marking the band’s first collaboration with producer Mike Mogis, the album showcases Conor Oberst’s raw, emotional songwriting supported by guest musicians from Cursive, Tilly and the Wall, Neutral Milk Hotel, and of Montreal. The record later saw a vinyl re-release in 2012 as part of the Bright Eyes Vinyl Box Set. In 2022, it was reissued by Dead Oceans alongside a six-track companion EP, offering refreshed versions and notable collaborations that highlight the album’s lasting influence.

3. Fevers and Mirrors (2000)

Tracks:

1. A Spindle, a Darkness, a Fever, and a Necklace
2. A Scale, a Mirror and Those Indifferent Clocks
3. The Calendar Hung Itself…
4. Something Vague
5. The Movement of a Hand
6. Arienette
7. When the Curious Girl Realizes She Is Under Glass
8. Haligh, Haligh, a Lie, Haligh
9. The Center of the World
10. Sunrise, Sunset
11. An Attempt to Tip the Scales
12. A Song to Pass the Time

Fevers and Mirrors is the third studio album by American indie band Bright Eyes, released on May 29, 2000, through Saddle Creek Records. Known for its raw emotion and experimental storytelling, the album blends intimate lyrics with atmospheric instrumentation. It opens with a child reading Mitchell Is Moving and features a satirical mock interview that plays on the album’s dark themes. Praised as one of Bright Eyes’ most defining works, it later gained renewed acclaim with a 2022 reissue by Dead Oceans. Fevers and Mirrors remains a fan favorite for its heartfelt vulnerability and inventive narrative style.

4. Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (2002)

Tracks:

1. The Big Picture
2. Method Acting
3. False Advertising
4. You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will.
5. Lover I Don’t Have to Love
6. Bowl of Oranges
7. Don’t Know When But a Day Is Gonna Come
8. Nothing Gets Crossed Out
9. Make War
10. Waste of Paint
11. From a Balance Beam
12. Laura Laurent
13. Let’s Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and to Be Loved)

Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground is the fourth studio album by Bright Eyes and a defining moment in the band’s rise. Released through Saddle Creek Records, it marked their first appearance on the Billboard 200 and showcased Conor Oberst’s emotionally charged songwriting and expansive folk-rock arrangements. Praised by critics, the album earned a strong Metacritic score and landed high on several year-end lists, including Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2002. Reissued by Dead Oceans in 2022 with a companion EP, Lifted remains a landmark indie release celebrated for its lyrical depth and ambitious sound.

5. A Christmas Album (2002)

Tracks:

1. Away in a Manger
2. Blue Christmas
3. Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. The First Noël
6. Little Drummer Boy
7. White Christmas
8. Silent Night
9. Silver Bells
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
11. The Night Before Christmas

A Christmas Album is Bright Eyes’ heartfelt 2002 holiday release, blending lo-fi folk warmth with nostalgic seasonal classics. Originally issued online through Saddle Creek, the album donates its proceeds to the Nebraska AIDS Project, adding meaning to its intimate sound. Beloved tracks like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Blue Christmas” later appeared in films and TV, boosting its cultural impact. Praised by Pitchfork for its cozy, basement-recording charm, the album has been reissued multiple times, including a 2023 edition via Dead Oceans. Featuring arrangements by Conor Oberst and Maria Taylor, it remains a cherished indie Christmas staple.

6. I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (2005)

Tracks:

1. At the Bottom of Everything
2. We Are Nowhere and It’s Now
3. Old Soul Song (for the New World Order)
4. Lua
5. Train Under Water
6. First Day of My Life
7. Another Travelin’ Song
8. Land Locked Blues
9. Poison Oak
10. Road to Joy

I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, the sixth studio album by Bright Eyes, was released on January 25, 2005, through Saddle Creek Records. Celebrated for its warm, folk-driven sound, the album marked the first appearance of Nate Walcott, now a core member of the band. Featuring standout tracks like “First Day of My Life” and “Lua,” it blends intimate songwriting with political undertones, including the Beethoven-inspired “Road to Joy.” Widely acclaimed by critics, it earned a strong Metacritic score and reached number 10 on the Billboard 200. The album was reissued in 2022 with a six-track companion EP, further cementing its legacy.

7. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (2005)

Tracks:

1. Time Code
2. Gold Mine Gutted
3. Arc of Time (Time Code)
4. Down in a Rabbit Hole
5. Take It Easy (Love Nothing)
6. Hit the Switch
7. I Believe in Symmetry
8. Devil in the Details
9. Ship in a Bottle
10. Light Pollution
11. Theme from Piñata
12. Easy/Lucky/Free

Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is the seventh studio album by Bright Eyes, released on January 25, 2005, through Saddle Creek Records alongside I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. Known for its electronic sound in contrast to its folk-driven counterpart, the album reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 43 in the UK, later earning a gold certification from IMPALA in Europe. Featuring contributions from Nick Zinner and Jimmy Tamborello, it includes standout tracks like “Take It Easy (Love Nothing).” The album was reissued in 2022 with a companion EP, further highlighting its innovative production style.

8. Cassadaga (2007)

Tracks:

1. Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed)
2. Four Winds
3. If the Brakeman Turns My Way
4. Hot Knives
5. Make a Plan to Love Me
6. Soul Singer in a Session Band
7. Classic Cars
8. Middleman
9. Cleanse Song
10. No One Would Riot for Less
11. Coat Check Dream Song
12. I Must Belong Somewhere
13. Lime Tree

Cassadaga is the eighth studio album by Bright Eyes, released in April 2007, showcasing the band’s most ambitious and expansive sound. Named after a Florida town known for spiritualism, the album blends rich folk-rock arrangements with vivid storytelling. Featuring guest vocals from artists like Z Berg, Sherri and Stacy DuPree, and Rachael Yamagata, it highlights Conor Oberst’s emotionally charged songwriting. Led by the single “Four Winds,” Cassadaga debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and earned widespread acclaim, including a Grammy for Best Recording Package. Its 2023 reissue introduced a companion EP, further enriching this fan-favorite release.

9. The People’s Key (2011)

Tracks:

1. Firewall
2. Shell Games
3. Jejune Stars
4. Approximate Sunlight
5. Haile Selassie
6. A Machine Spiritual (in the People’s Key)
7. Triple Spiral
8. Beginner’s Mind
9. Ladder Song
10. One for You, One for Me

The People’s Key, the ninth studio album by Bright Eyes, is a bold, synth-driven project released on February 15, 2011, via Saddle Creek Records. Recorded at ARC Studios in Omaha, it showcases Conor Oberst’s sharp lyricism and a rich lineup of guest musicians. The album blends introspective themes with energetic electronic elements, highlighted by standout tracks like “Shell Games” and “Ladder Song.” Widely streamed before release through NPR’s First Listen, it earned generally favorable reviews and debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200. A 2023 reissue by Dead Oceans introduced a companion EP, expanding its immersive soundscape.

10. Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was (2020)

Tracks:

1. Pageturners Rag
2. Dance and Sing
3. Just Once in the World
4. Mariana Trench
5. One and Done
6. Pan and Broom
7. Stairwell Song
8. Persona Non Grata
9. Tilt-A-Whirl
10. Hot Car in the Sun
11. Forced Convalescence
12. To Death’s Heart (In Three Parts)
13. Calais to Dover
14. Comet Song

Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was marks Bright Eyes’ powerful return after nearly a decade, released on August 21, 2020, through Dead Oceans. Recorded in Los Angeles and Omaha, the album reunites Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott for an emotional, richly arranged project shaped by personal loss and renewal. Featuring guest performances from Flea and Jon Theodore, it blends orchestral layers with Bright Eyes’ signature indie-folk sound. Preceded by singles like “Persona Non Grata” and “Mariana Trench,” the album earned widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number 36 on the Billboard 200, celebrating a compelling new chapter for the band.

11. Five Dice, All Threes (2024)

Tracks:

1. Five Dice
2. Bells and Whistles
3. El Capitan
4. Bas Jan Ader
5. Tiny Suicides
6. All Threes
7. Rainbow Overpass
8. Hate
9. Real Feel 105°
10. Spun Out
11. Trains Still Run on Time
12. The Time I Have Left
13. Tin Soldier Boy

Five Dice, All Threes is Bright Eyes’ eleventh studio album, released on September 20, 2024, through Dead Oceans. Recorded at ARC Studios in Omaha, the album blends emotional storytelling with bold collaborations, featuring artists like Alex Orange Drink, Cat Power, and Matt Berninger. Supported by singles “Bells and Whistles” and “Rainbow Overpass,” the record explores themes of chance and resilience, inspired by Conor Oberst’s dice-themed concept. Praised by critics with a solid Metacritic score, the album delivers a rich mix of indie rock textures and introspective lyrics, marking a confident and creatively refreshing chapter for the band.

12. Kids Table

Tracks:

1. Kids Table
2. Cairns (When Your Heart Belongs to Everyone)
3. 1st World Blues
4. Sharp Cutting Wings (Song to a Poet)
5. It Always Feels Good and It Never Hurts
6. Dyslexic Palindrome
7. Shakespeare in a Nutshell
8. Victory City

Bright Eyes’ EP Kids Table showcases the band’s rich indie-folk sound with heartfelt lyricism and layered instrumentation. Led by Conor Oberst, Nate Walcott, and Mike Mogis, the project blends emotional storytelling with warm, organic arrangements. The EP features standout collaborations, including Hurray for the Riff Raff on the title track and “Dyslexic Palindrome,” and Leslie Stevens on the gentle “Sharp Cutting Wings.” Tracks like “1st World Blues” and “Cairns” highlight dynamic drums, brass, and soulful vocals from talented contributors such as Griffin Goldsmith, Jason Boesel, and Macey Taylor. Kids Table delivers a reflective, diverse listening experience that captures Bright Eyes’ signature depth and artistry.

Conclusion:

Bright Eyes’ evolution is a testament to their creative fearlessness, emotional depth, and lasting influence on indie music. Exploring Bright Eyes Albums in Order reveals a band constantly reshaping its sound—from lo-fi experimentation and folk-driven storytelling to bold electronic textures and mature, reflective songwriting. Each release captures a pivotal moment in Conor Oberst’s artistic journey, enriched by the contributions of Mike Mogis, Nate Walcott, and longtime collaborators. Their discography not only charts musical growth but also mirrors shifting eras in indie rock. For listeners seeking a meaningful, immersive catalog, Bright Eyes offers an unforgettable narrative told album by album.

---

Thanks for visit!