Billie Eilish has left behind the dark and edgy aesthetics of “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” for the more playful groove of lustful queer anthems that make up her latest release, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.” As the title suggests, Eilish delves into her hard-hitting feelings — mainly, getting together and falling apart — while in whispery restraint. The record, released May 17, is her invitation to plunge into these emotional depths with her — if you couldn’t tell already by the album cover.
Los-Angeles born Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell began her songwriting career at the age of 13, alongside her brother and producer FINNEAS. Three albums and nine Grammy Awards later, she is currently one of the leading voices in contemporary pop music, making it easy to forget she is only 22 years old.
Eilish’s reflections on her first experiences with sapphic love runs throughout the entirety of “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.” She did not publicly address her sexuality until late 2023. “I’ve been in love with girls for my whole life, but I just didn’t understand,” she said in an interview with “Variety.” “But I kind of thought, ‘Wasn’t it obvious?’ I didn’t realize people didn’t know.”
The opening track, “SKINNY,” explores the pressures that Eilish has experienced as a young woman in the spotlight, particularly concerning her weight. The track is stripped back, letting her impassioned, signature breathy vocals take the reins. She sings: “People say I look happy / Just because I got skinny / But the old me is still me / And maybe the real me / And I think she’s pretty.” “SKINNY” seamlessly transitions to fan-favorite “LUNCH,” in which Eilish describes her appetite for lesbian intimacy. My favorite off the album is “CHIHIRO,” with prominent bass lines that build up to a synth-heavy climax.
Eilish’s discography is full of cynicism and melancholy, which only makes “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” all that more refreshing. “I don’t know what I’m crying for […] I don’t think I could love you more,” she sings, her voice drenched in sincerity. This track, along with “THE GREATEST,” particularly showcases the maturity of her vocal performance. On the other hand, “BITTERSUITE” is easily the most forgettable song of the album, while “L’AMOUR DE MA VIE” feels like a painfully conventional breakup ballad. The album concludes with “BLUE,” which is reminiscent of her older work. Key and beat changes throughout each track make it difficult at times to appreciate the intricacies of every song, but they do make the record unique.
In an interview with NPR, Eilish said: “I think that a big part of us being able to finish this album was me needing to be shoved out of my comfort zone: I had to be pushed out of it to figure out what I was doing and what I wanted and who I was. For this album, I finally got over the need to prove everyone wrong. I just figured it out myself, and it wasn’t about explaining myself — it was about expressing myself. I think that’s what we did.”
Overall, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” may not be her most interesting album thematically to date, but it is exceptionally unique sonically and production-wise. The album is cohesive, playful and remarkably vulnerable, even though it is clear that Eilish is still struggling to carve out an identity for herself.
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