Hands down, this album deserved a Grammy. Billy Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” album is both absolutely fantastic and an emotional rollercoaster. Released in 2024, the album blends alternative pop–and apparently “bedroom pop” although I have no idea what that entails. Also enough emotional turmoil to leave you wanting more, in a depressingly, peaceful way.
Although she is popular among the youth; it comes as no surprise that Billie Eileish is as famous and culturally impatcful as she is. Having grown up in Los Angeles, California, she first garnered fame with her viral Sound Cloud original, “Ocean Eyes”. Billie’s musical talent and skill is undeniable. Paired with her brother and fellow musician Finneas, she has a beautifully unique dark-pop and alternative indie sound, characterized by soft, whispery singing and elegant high notes. Billie’s talent shows through her nine Grammy awards, five of which originate from past labs, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” Overall, she’s a global icon and a good person recently calling out billionaires for hoarding wealth and the illegal actions of ICE. Her latest album in particular, “Hit Me Hard and Soft” explores themes of love and heartbreak, representing a significant part of Billie’s life, whee she embraces herself and her vulnerabilities.
“Hit Me Hard and Soft” features Billie’s signature breathy, dark emotional sound with large synth and orchestra build-ups that culminate in a grand bellow, devastating tone. This album makes use of a variety of instruments including bells, violins and guitars. Billie’s voice pairs perfectly with the instruments of each song; her ghostly voice clearly establishes and maintains the album’s emotional significance with ethereal vocals. “Hit Me Hard and Soft” explores etc complexities of love and heartbreak. The album discusses what it feels like to love someone who isn’t reciprocating the feeling. Billie combines personal experience and raw emotion to produce a truly emotional rollercoaster.
The first track that stands out amidst the sea of despair is “Lunch”. With a groovy, catchy baseline and drumbeat in the background, Billie has more of a “pop” sound compared to other songs in the album. Using dirty, playful lyrics, she reflect on the feeling of connection, intimacy and heartbreak that sets up the tone of the rest of the album. “Wildflower” is a sober yet radiant masterpiece. It utilizes an acoustic guitar to establish a tone of honesty, which flows perfectly with the lyrical story-telling that occurs throughout the song. Billie’s whispery harmonies display the emotional tone that the lyrics exemplify as she discusses her guilt for getting with her friend’s ex-boyfriend. However, both of these songs play in comparison to the “The Greatest” which has a uniquely fitting name. Plucked guitar chords sooth the tension created by the previous tracks, not because this song is any less a depressing piece of an art, but because you’ll need it. Massive synth symphonies are built alongside extremely emotional lyrics and impactful messaging. Billie solely focuses on the feeling of giving her all to so, and it was aeone that couldn’t give anything in return. If I had to describe this song in a single word, it would be “despair”
As difficult to find a weakness in this album as it was I was disappointed by a single thing: the lack of a happy ending. The album finishes with the track, “Blue” combining lyrics from all of the album’s songs to beautifully close the tear-covered curtain. Unfortunately, I was hoping there would be some kind of last, happy message. Sadly, this album left me alone in the sad, dark room it constructed around me.
Overall this album was beautiful. It emotionally manipulated me in a way that many other songs have failed to achieve. The production and musical themes were brilliant and it was a true masterpiece to behold. Anyone with good musical taste would enjoy this album–unless you are a Billie Eilish hater or don’t enjoy pop.
In conclusion, this album was a depressing spiral of musical brilliance that was robbed of a Grammy. Like seriously, what the hell is a “Cowboy Carter”?
Rating: 9.9 out of 10 for the figurative tear I shed at the end.