Billie Eilish has all the reason in the world to scream – that’s why she whispers
Get Exclusive Music Insights In Roisin O’Connor's Free Newsletter Now Hear This!
Subscribe To Our Free Now Hear This Email
Despite being only 22 years old, Billie Eilish has already achieved more than many artists who are much older than her. She has won nine Grammy awards and two Oscars, and she holds the record for being the youngest person to headline both Coachella and Glastonbury music festivals. Her music has been streamed over 76 billion times and she has more than 64 million monthly listeners on Spotify. These numbers are truly remarkable.
Eilish has gained a devoted following among a certain age group thanks to her memorable lime green hair, which she recently reverted back to black after a brief stint as a blonde. Many young girls going through a tough time have latched onto her image as a role model. Eilish's music is deeply personal and honest, with lyrics that deal with topics such as anxiety and self-doubt. She's like a close, supportive friend who's always there to listen when you need to vent about your deepest fears and worries.
The fresh collection of songs called "Hit Me Hard and Soft" by this artist has just been released, and it's received heaps of positive feedback from music journalists. According to The Independent, it's packed with a range of mellow melodies created by guitars, cellos, and electronic beats. Regardless of what the critics say, this album will resonate with countless young girls on an emotional level.
Similar to female singer-songwriters before her who mixed elements of the sacred and profane, such as Madonna, Kate Bush, and Alanis Morrisette, Eilish heavily relies on balancing between playful and frightening themes in her music. Her songwriting explores a wide array of emotions, as the experience of being a woman today is constantly changing. It can range from humorous moments to terrifying events, all while feeling like a dystopian fairy tale at times.
Similar to many artists from the Gen Z generation, Eilish's career started with an internet sensation. At the age of 14 in 2015, she shared "Ocean Eyes" on SoundCloud, a spellbinding track with shining sound effects where she reflects on "burning cities and napalm skies" accompanied by sorrowful synthesizers. Eilish wrote this song with her brother and collaborator Finneas for a dance lesson and it promptly gained enormous popularity. Although she grew up home-schooled by her parents in their two-bedroom bungalow in Los Angeles, Eilish released her first EP after two years, as she was literally maturing. Recently, Eilish finally moved out of her family home. Even during her debut project, where she was not well-known yet, Eilish expressed in bold letters screaming for solitude, making it known to everyone that she wished to be left alone.
The song "Party Favour" had a clever element to it: it started off sounding like a simple voicemail message, but then slowly evolved into a song about a break-up. Like many other bedroom pop artists who shared their music on YouTube through a webcam, Eilish used a ukulele to create a sweet melody. However, the instrument's innocent sound only added to the menacing tone of her lyrics. Eilish's EP, which included songs like "Idontwannabeyouanymore" and "hostage", showcased her talent for singing in a barely audible whisper that draws the listener in.
In her first album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie Eilish made a unique and intimate sound that was distinct from other pop stars. The beginning of the album features the sound of her taking out her Invisalign, which is gummy and wet. It feels like we are in the studio with her, as if we are a part of the moment. This is similar to rappers smoking or asking for more volume on their headphones. The sound is important, as it brings us into her body and makes us aware of her physicality, just like the "bloody nose" she mentions in her song "Bad Guy". Everything about Billie Eilish is intense and impactful, and her music is no different.
The album received positive reviews and sold 3.9 million copies. Critics liked the gothic style and whispered quality of the singer's voice. But what's most interesting about "Bad Guy" is the distortion effect that makes Eilish sound both scary and vulnerable. When she sings softly, she suddenly growls like a wolf with sharp teeth. In "You Should See Me in a Crown," she rejects the idea of being a conventional princess and demands our respect. She's not sweet like Snow White, she's more like Maleficent. When she sings, "Come over baby/ I think you're pretty," she's not asking for affection - she's independent.
The song "Xanny" has a similar sound to SoundCloud rappers like XXXTentacion with its compressed rattle. Billie Eilish's ability to show her vulnerability through her delicate vocals makes the song powerful. This pattern continues throughout the entire album where Eilish opens up about her personal life but also keeps a safe distance by using Autotune and tremolo effects. Her voice is beautiful and well-trained, but these effects create a barrier between her and the outside world.
Experience limitless streaming of 70 million tunes and podcasts without any pesky advertisements on Amazon Music.
Don't hesitate any longer and register today for a complimentary 30-day test period.
Experience endless streaming of ad-free music and podcasts with Amazon Music's library of 70 million tracks.
Register today for a trial period of 30 days without paying anything.
Over time, Eilish has gained much fame and success. However, it has come with a cost, as people have crossed boundaries and violated her personal space. It's not worth reiterating the hurtful comments made by some, mostly men, but some women too, as it only gives them validation. What really matters is Eilish's reaction to it all. She expresses her disappointment with the industry through her latest album, Happier Than Ever. The album has a jazzy feel to it, but the lyrics reveal her disillusionment with the industry and the toll it has taken on her. She navigates the aftermath of her success, sifts through the debris, and shares her story with the world.
In her first song "Getting Older", she expresses that the things she used to enjoy are now only serving the purpose of keeping her occupied. This brings to mind the experiences of another artist, Morrissette, who also signed with a label at a young age (14 years old). Like Eilish, Morrissette had to learn to create her art with the whole world watching, facing challenges such as exploitative industry big shots and overly passionate fans. Unfortunately, Eilish has also had to cope with the dangers of being a public figure, such as when she received threats from an alleged stalker who broke into her home and sent her and her family countless aggressive messages. This wasn't even the first time she had been targeted.
There are many female musicians, like Eilish, who have experienced both danger and rewards from being in the public eye.
Moving away from the harshness of her first album, Eilish's voice reflected more reluctance and hesitation in her second release as she cautiously navigated her way in the public eye. In the middle of the album lies "Not My Responsibility", a hazy spoken-word section about the daily judgement she faces on her body. "If I wear comfortable clothes, I'm not considered a woman. If I take off my layers, I'm seen as a slut," she murmurs. "Does my worth rely solely on your perception?" During her concerts, these words were accompanied by a four-minute video of Eilish shedding her clothes and sinking herself into a dimly-lit pool of dark liquid. It's a tragic irony that Eilish won her second Oscar for "What Was I Made For?" from Greta Gerwig's Barbie soundtrack. Here is a woman whose appearance has been analyzed to the minutest detail and compared to unrealistic standards set by the very same toy she sings about in the film.
Whenever she gets the chance, Eilish seizes control in her own way. Despite the men who tried to silence her, Megan Thee Stallion's 2022 hit song "NDA" sheds light on the issue. But Eilish's "NDA" turns things around as she refuses to let a "pretty boy" stay the night. "I didn't switch my number, I made him zip his lips," she playfully sings. This gesture resonates with the strong independence and defiance embodied by Fiona Apple.
Many female musicians, like Eilish, face just as much danger as they do reward from being in the public eye. From stalkers to unscrupulous producers, it's understandable if she were to scream out in fear. However, it's even more impressive that she doesn't. Instead, Eilish's voice is often soft and her lyrics sound like a chilling tale shared with a close friend.
The latest release from Darkroom/Interscope Records is now available and it's called 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'.
