It's no small feat to follow up two Grammy-winning albums at the age of 22, but Billie Eilish pulls it off with gusto on her third collection, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. Announced a little over a month ago and without any lead singles, her fans weren't sure what to expect from the singer's new era. Her debut album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO?, featured dark, noisy, synth-toned production on most of the tracks, but here she complements it with guitars, drums, and gorgeous strings. , contains a rich repertoire of more organic sounds. Irish gentle vocals. She thrives on being responsible for her entire collection as opposed to her throwaway hits.
But it wouldn't be a Billie Eilish album without a twist, and this record takes listeners on a journey in half. Up until track four, “WILDFLOWER,” the album seems to take the form of a (mainly) traditional pop album, relying on acoustic guitars punctuated by a glorious string section; From the middle of “THE GREATEST” onwards, electric guitars and electric guitars become the focus. drum.
Some tracks may be more editorially accurate, but the runtime may feel less guaranteed. Still, songs like “L'AMOUR DE MA VIE” move from a brooding Parisian thriller score to electro-synth work, and “BLUE” closes the album with an uptempo change to a string-heavy crescendo. It's interesting to discover. Credit must be given to Eilish's brother Finneas (who once again helmed the production) and the talented string players. Ever since No Time to Die, I've been waiting for strings to become a key element of her sound.
Apart from this, Eilish's expanded vocal range is a notable element here. “CHIHIRO” sees her utilize a fantastic range of runs and trills, while “THE GREATEST” sees her push her voice to its limits against a rock-sounding backing. The track oozes pure passion, reminding us of Eilish's ability to surprise listeners with both quiet inner monologue and anthemic grandeur.
The entire album builds on the premise of 2021's Happier than Ever, when Eilish began planning and documenting her fluid identity. “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” details what was revealed in a recent Rolling Stone interview. She explores her own sexuality in “LUNCH,” the breakup of her relationship in “BLUE,” and her troubling physical changes in “SKINNY.” These growing-up reminiscences are balanced with up-tempo moments, especially on “LUNCH,” which has already emerged as a fan favorite on her TikTok.
Hidden details tie HIT ME HARD AND SOFT together with invisible strings. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” has carefully crafted instrumentals that include mythical declarations like “I love you till the day I die,” while closer “BLUE” features “We It records the death of a relationship with the heartbreaking line, “I thought we were the same.” Bird of a Feather, I'm so embarrassed right now. ” and “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” Eilish conveys a musical restraint beyond her years, shaping her musical identity in her image rather than in the pop game. is obvious.
8/10
Text: Amrit Virdi
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