Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft | Album Review
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- Опубликовано: 16 май 2024
- Today we're reviewing the highly anticipated 3rd album from pop superstar, Billie Eilish. Once again working with brother Finneas, Hit Me Hard and Soft's 10 tracks cover a lot of ground. Does it add up to her best work yet?
#billieeilish #hitmehardandsoft #albumreview #pop #popmusic
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I strongly disagree with Billie working with someone else. "Billie Eilish" might be HER name, but effectively "Billie Eilish" is a duo consisting of Billie and Finneas and it's been like that since the beginning. So wanting Billie to ditch Finneas is basically asking a good band to break up for the lead vocalist to do a solo record, abandoning what made that group special in the first place. Sure, Billie is a great vocalist, but damn would I hate it if she became just another singer working with swedish producers, Jack Antonoff or you name it.
I’m not really getting the hype for this album. Billie’s debut was like a breath of fresh air and had a unique sound and Bad Guy and Bury A Friend are classic pop singles.
Happier Than Ever was a great follow-up and showed great maturity but also kept that edge from the first album. The title track, NDA and Oxytocin are absolute bangers and I also love slower tracks like My Future and Billie Bossa Nova. HTE is a brilliant album, although it’s less focused than her debut and a little overlong. It’s still a great album overall though.
This new one doesn’t really do it for me. Most of the tracks sound fine but none of them really grab me. However, the worst thing is that the songs mostly sound generic, she seems to have lost that special something that made her music so unique. The production is admittedly great though. I have only listened to this album a couple of times so far so maybe it will grow on me, but this is her weakest album so far in my opinion.
OK. Interesting take. The way I see it, Billie is a little girl who loves attention. And she gets attention by mumbling her words in a comatose way
that makes people sit up and listen because.....it must be something very important! But it's not. It's just the same old teenage trash, sung by
a silly little girl who's no longer a teenager. A fake Goth who's yet to grow up.
I agree with everything you are saying even if the new one is technically better it doesn’t excite me that much or nothing stands out like the other two albums.
Yes I agree with everything you said about the debut, nothing more to add other then I love edgy stuff as well plus I want something unique. The second album I felt had the best flow of any Billie Elish album so far with all the different styles that all felt like something different, new and exiting was always playing. Slower ballads, edm raggers, bosanova, I’m not your friend and of course the unforgettable ukulele sad girl first part of the song then it exploded into something awesome imo.
I also get bored very easily and I’m not easily impressed especially when it comes to entire albums.
However all that being said, this release was kind of a surprise release to me, like I never heard of any singles coming out or any hype or maybe I have been living under a rock idk. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing but maybe this is a grower and maybe It does take time to realize what’s special about it, but for now I just kind of like it and I got an idea of how I personally feel about it.
By the way my opinions on these albums are only the way these songs “hit” for me or what kind of impression they make. I may not nessicarly be rating things as fairly as I should but at the end of the day I feel like listening to music is like fishing or I’m an American idol judge but I’m waiting for an album or a song to break that threshold of an abomination- horrendous- terrible- bad- kind of bad- mid- kind of good-good-great-amazing- legendary. Or in this case because I don’t find this music bad, I’m waiting for it to break that threshold of being okay to being something I might actually listen to again.
@@xxcolinaterxx2867 I honestly feel like if I never listened to any of these new songs ever again, I wouldn’t care. They aren’t bad, just not really my thing - she has gone much more in a pop direction this time around but I much prefer her old, edgier sound.
A couple of weeks from now, I may feel differently about it but that’s how I feel right now.
@@marks.8780 yes I feel you on that one I’m also probably at the 3 star mark with this one. I might go back to a couple of tracks but I agree, I want something spicy.
A million percent agree, and it’s a bummer about the really generic rhymes.
Another great video, well constructed review critique there.
One thing picked up on was not about this new album, but your comments on Bad Guy - I forget the exact words but seems like it’s not seen as amongst her good work and you don’t rate it. One of the best pop songs of the 21st Century.
She’s a real talent. Also, while I get the idea of another producer, I think her whole ‘thing’ as a solo act is that it’s actually a duo with her brother, him behind the scenes and her being the face and voice.
Looking forward to your next video already. Cheers guys 👏
I think the second half is less accessible but, actually, far better (other than Diner which breaks the momentum).
Definitely agree that the first half is significantly stronger than the second overall - I did like how "Blue" started (but agree that it doesn't totally deliver on that) , especially after "The Diner" and "Bittersuite" which were the biggest downturn in the album for me. I still went with a light 4 on it as well because I really liked the songs in the first half a lot. "Skinny", "Birds of a Feather" and "Wildflower" were my favourites. Still always rooting for Billie.
I feel the EXACT opposite. I was pretty unengaged for the first 2/3 of the album with both the slow songs and the more upbeat songs. Then the song with the French title came on and I fell in love with it. From that point on the album was a weird, experimental fever dream that completely hooked me. I wish the whole thing was like that last stretch of tracks.
I actually preferred the more experimental Side Two. The first half just bored me to tears.
Are you guys doing a video on the new Apple Music top 100 albums of all time list? there are some interesting placements to say the least
Yes. We just recorded it
Interesting. We more or less agree on this one. I'm between a 3.5 and 4.0. I rated it at 4 based on the expectation that some of these tracks would grow on me over time. I also feel the front half is much stronger than the back half, but the dance beats don't really bother me. They just don't interest me as much. What I liked on this album was more singing and less whispering. Whispering is OK, in small doses. It loses its effect when that is all there is. So there is definitely growth here, but I'm not sure how close she is to reaching her ceiling.
Imo took the best parts of her previous two and expanded it. Lets loose vocally
This one brings me back to 1985’s Around the World in a Day by Prince, when no singles were released and we were encouraged to listen to the whole album as one piece from beginning to end. I’m looking forward to getting the vinyl & paint splatter CD this week!
Well, that album wasn’t very good either. ATWIAA and Parade are so much weaker than the 2 albums that bookend them.
@@echosmyron1278I don’t believe that, they are different but not weak at all.
Agree with Jason, an album of two halves. Personally thought Happier Than Ever was more cohesive. Appreciate your new music ratings each week, sometimes just for my own sanity - this album is way over hyped
Y'all should check out the new Ibibio Sound Machine record - Pull The Rope; Joe, you would love it!
It’s strange that this album, of all the ones that have been released as of late, is getting an “express review” (it’s been out for literally one day), as I don’t think it’s anything special. It basically sounds like Bjork for teeny boppers. Most of the melodies are middling at best, and Eilish isn’t a compelling vocalist. It probably has more artistic merit than the latest Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift records, but that’s the nicest thing I can say about it. 2.5 stars. Totally average.
And now I want to list a few semi-obscure records that have come out in the past few weeks that are worth a listen:
Adeem the Artist - Anniversary (alt. country)
Shannon & the Clams - The Moon Is in the Wrong Place (indie pop)
Charley Crockett - $10 Cowboy (neo-traditional country)
NO MAN - Glitter and Spit (post-hardcore)
Ekko Astral - pink balloons (post-punk)
I don’t see many releases of interest for the rest of May, with the exception of a new album by the sludge metal band Thou. It’s called Umbilical, and all of the teasers have been outstanding. Check that one out too if you like ridiculously heavy music.
It’s because she’s actually popular
Adeem The Artist album started well with the first track, thought it was quite new sounding and fresh, then it just sat back into standard country fare after that, nicely played and sung but really nothing special.
Have you guys listened to the new Beth Gibbons' album? Only 1 listen , but I thouhgt it was great
7/10. - Joe
Seeing as I have Dummy at 2 stars I think imma skip it. -Jason
@@TastesLikeMusic🤣😭😡
@@TastesLikeMusicthanks for sharing Joe.8/10 after 2nd listen
2 stars?! How is that even possible? It's a freaking masterpiece! Anyway, this album sounds nothing like Dummie, I think you should give it a chance, Jason
I’m also in the camp that it increasingly starts to lose steam as it goes.
Skinny and Lunch are bangers. Initially I didn’t like that much “Chihiro” because I felt there wasn’t enough songwriting substance to match the great production values, but I guess it grew on me. Birds of a Feather also grew even more with subsequent plays.
However, from here on out I start to get bored. Yes, the times Billie belts out are great, but it’s too little too late most of the time. I hated the autotune in L’amour De Ma Vie, it completely ruined it. Blue’s first two minutes are great, but then decisions were made that disappointed me.
I’m at a strong B for this one, which would be like the equivalent of 3.5/5 stars. Maybe Billie needs to assert more control or just work with another producer like Jason said.
Here’s my dumb score sheet thingy:
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft
86% or B
Track List
1. Skinny 5/5
2. Lunch 5/5
3. Chihiro 5/5
4. Birds of a Feather 5/5
5. Wildflower 4/5
6. The Greatest 4/5
7. L’amour De Ma Vie 3/5
8. The Diner 4/5
9. Bittersuite 4/5
10. Blue 4/5
Not a track under 3 and you only get to B? Harsh. - Joe
I’ve never heard of anyone saying Lennon and McCartney should’ve collaborated with someone else. Finneas isnt just her producer, they are songwriting partners. They write ~together~ accept every award they get ~together~
Not sure what's confusing about this.
If he were 1/10 the songwriter of either McCartney or Lennon you might have a point.
@@TastesLikeMusic huh? you not liking finneas doesn't have anything to do with this 😂 I could've referenced any famous songwriting partnership like king & goffin, or jagger & richards, or fucking abba. whether someone dislikes them doesn't affect their legitimacy as a songwriting duo.
@alannah0628 no one is saying they aren’t legitimate. I just think they could benefit from working with other people, especially Billie. I’m not saying they should never work together again. Carole king had a very successful solo career. John and Paul made solo records, Mick and Keith have solo records. It’s a normal thing to do.
How did you listen to this 3 times already before the video? 😂
Jason we gonna have a Waxahatchee lp review I know u didn’t like new Madi Diaz lp but thanks to you saw both together in 2020 thanks for the recommendation
Probably won’t get a full review but I’ll likely talk about it at the end of the year. I think the new record is a little overly safe and a step down from the last. Still pretty good though. Low 4 stars
I have a genuine addiction to the song Right Back to It (Crowbar and The Wolves are also in constant rotation)
Billie Eilish is not my cup of tea, but I do appreciate her creativity.
i couldnt name a billy eilish song before today so, it was decent enough , and gave it 3.5 stars , not sure i will dive into other albums tho
Agree with in groove..the lp record is the worst sonic experience in the modern age. Vinyl recycle sounds like shit.
Joe is closing in on 40?!? I had no idea!
I am 40! -Jason
More focused than Happier than Ever. I give it a 4,0
Ok, Jason know it’s yo A-, don’t give a F--, played Sax in MS HS, made 2nd chair but my gravitas lies in words, syntax, I PAINT with them, English degree, great school, but I continue to read Great Writers, my palate continues to EXPAND
What?
Can say it in French & Spanish do you speak them? your petty selfish shit needs to stop, it’s not ADDING viewers
Delete it, doesn’t change a damn thing, your arrogant, stingy perception is incorrect, AND fueled by something ELSE. I read many of these comments, “some” simplistic, they rank the music but leave me wanting, no color, no contrast, WHY did you rank it accordingly? but my contribution is rated, denigrated by a ONE
That you Finneas?
I don't know this singer from Adam other than all the praise heaped on her by fools. Anyway I am the fool now. Though the drumming is not to my liking on a few songs and I didn't listen to the last few songs. The drummer could use lessons from any drummer in the world. Too cute and without feeling.
"Skinny" is a beautiful song to the heart, though I know we can never stop the way people look from being important to others. It's a problem that can never go away, though 500 years ago fat was in, but don't think for a second that those people weren't judgemental as hell about looks. I liked "Wildflower" too. So sweet and warm, for a while, and no damn drumming, for a while. "The Greatest" is pretty good. I guess her music is depressing, and she can't sing all that well, but she whispers so great. I changed my mind and like her some, and I hope the young people appreciate that down songs can help them get in touch with who they are and lift them up and out of their blues. There is not much good music out, so this is a gift in years of awful music, that I know will never end. 3.5.
Don't care for Billy Eilish's music at all ever since I heard songs like Bad Guy which seemed like an ASMR teen androgyny meets horror movie/ SM face bleed grooming song especially when it is blessed with over a billion views for glorified whispering and implied sadism, but I respect everyone's right to have their own opinions.
fo
Very over rated just pushes by record companies
A tale of trash, more like...