7.5/10
By: Ryley Choroweic
The might seduce your dad type…
Billie Eilish has quickly become one of the world’s youngest and well known pop stars. At just fourteen, Eilish made an impact on the music scene going viral with her release of “Ocean Eyes,” which garnered over 173,000,000 streams on Spotify. The seventeen year old pop-sensation has already sold out Toronto’s iconic Budweiser Stage, and has an entire tour of sold out arenas, stadiums, and amphitheatres lined up for this summer. Not to mention, these were sold-out before ever dropping a single album.
On Friday March 29th, Billie Eilish dropped her much anticipated powerhouse of a record entitled “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?”
Eilish has quickly developed her own sound; a dark, gothic, bass heavy, I-don’t-give-a-fuck kind of sound. Throughout the record, we see her jump from her sweet and solemn choir driven vocal roots, to her more recent gothic demonic whispers, which now seem to have completely separated her from the overly saturated pop-industry.
The intro of the album, “!!!!!!!” sees Billie remind everyone that she's certainly still a teenager, as she celebratory takes out her Invisalign to kick off the record. This track is directly followed by what might be the best song on the entire record. Paired up with one hell of a music video, “bad guy” sees billie taunt her partner lyrically over the most pop-influenced production of the entire record.
Although the production is nearly impeccable, I can't help but have a slight feeling of cognitive dissonance when listening to Eilish’s lyrics. At times lyrically, the teen prodigy truly seems like one of the most mature lyricists in her genre, with tracks like “bury a friend,” and “you should see me in a crown” showing a deeper complexity and understanding of her own emotion. However, Billie seemingly never forgets to remind me that she's not completely grown up just yet, with songs like “wish you were gay” or “xanny” reminding me of lyrics most seventeen year olds are capable of writing. With that being said, it seems as though any time I have anything critical to say about this album, Eilish's brother, co-writer and producer, Finneas O’Connell, seems to save the day with his production abilities. Finneas, who has been working with Billie through her entire career in music, is no stranger to the music industry and show business. O'connel has produced tracks for Rebecca Black, and starring in the final season of musical comedy television series Glee.
I cannot give Billie enough credit when it comes to her talent and songwriting capabilities. “when the party's over” sees Eilish return to her original vocal style, mesmerizing me throughout the duration of what may be her best vocal performance on the record.
With this release, Eilish and her brother have seriously cooked up something a little different, and something a little more raw in the pop industry. The 43 minute record definitely has something for everybody. Maybe that was her goal; perhaps it is just the way things worked out. Regardless, Whether you like pop, rock and roll, or hip hop, there is going to be at least one track on this album for you. And well, if you like The Office, Steve Carrel is even on the track “my strange addiction.”
It truly is exciting to see Billie release such an ambitious and creative album, even if I have a few critiques regarding her maturity and lyricism. She's seventeen. This is her first album. Imagine how long we are going to be hearing about this young woman? This is just the beginning of a lifelong career for this young talent. The sky is truly the limit for Eilish, with so much room to grow and progress- it is only up from here.
Favourite Tracks: “you should see me in a crown” “bad guy” “bury a friend”
Least favourite tracks: “wish you were gay” “xanny”
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