One of the biggest stars of the century is back. Stark in maturity, complexion and musicality, Billie’s “Happier Than Ever.” Her genre-defining sound has been prolific since the debut of ocean eyes, and her first debut, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? with bad guy and when’s the party over. But this time, gone are the baggy clothes, the adolescent catharsis and the unique hair. This time, comes a new Billie. All grown up. Illustrious, sleek and sexy, Billie Eilish comes of age. And with, her first vogue cover. In what seems like a turning of age, she has become the female face of modern diplomacy, charting course for changes not just in an old-fashioned music industry for women, but the restrictions women face in every day-to-day environments.
If the album name goes by anything, safe to say, she is finally happy and comfortable with who she is, out and proud within her music, too.
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Happier Than Ever brings a more wiser, self-reflective approach to Billie’s artistry with Getting Older, which tackles responsibility, sexual harassment and reflecting the distress she has gone through within the music industry. Which to me, after seeing her grown up in such a difficult industry being in the limelight, is quite sad.
“Things I once enjoyed,
Just keep me employed now.”
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Fan pre-favourites, my future, Your Power and Lost Cause are strong contenders within an album fluxed with empowering emotion, undulating electronics and lustful lyrics that are so Billie. GOLDWING and Everybody Dies are my favourites among those already chosen, with the atmospheric space scapes making a return to her sophomore album. It’s a refreshing take on her music, shedding the skin of the angry from her debut and returning to her former modest self on her new and nurturing EP of don’t smile at me.
Worth the listen – even for the status of the artist.
