The long-awaited second album from Billie Eilish is here! On Happier Than Ever, Billie and her brother FINNEAS introduce several new sounds to their joint body of work. While this second album may not surpass its predecessor, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?—a challenging feat in itself—it still excels as a sophomore album, a phase often deemed the most demanding for artists.
It was evident that Billie Eilish and her brother had been working on new music during their COVID-19 quarantine. Since the onset of lockdowns, they released successful singles like “my future” and “Therefore I Am”. Both of which are featured on “Happier Than Ever”. These singles served as a precursor to the album, where Eilish embarks on a new musical direction, as hinted in “my future.” While the lyrics still touch on somber themes, they don’t delve as deeply into darkness as her debut album did.
Musically, Billie Eilish and her brother FINNEAS remain a golden duo. Their heartfelt lyrics, co-written, are still very much present. The less Billie reveals about her personal life in the media, the more she conveys through her lyrics. Particularly, her relationship with rapper 7:AMP serves as a frequent source of inspiration. Resulting in intense yet authentic songs about the abuse that occurred during their relationship. The Apple TV+ documentary, “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry”, also highlights the significant impact this relationship had on her life and mental health. On “Happier Than Ever”, she vents her feelings on multiple tracks.
Themes on “Happier Than Ever”
Despite her young age of just 19, Billie has already experienced quite a bit in her life, including a situation involving abuse. She sings about this on several tracks, exploring it from various perspectives. She shares how she coped with these events on the title track, “Happier Than Ever”. On “Oxytocin,” she presents a more aggressive side of the story.
Related to her personal experiences of abuse is her rise within the music industry. The harsh nature of the industry has become a common theme among young artists, as recently heard in Tones and I’s album “Welcome To The Madhouse.” Eilish also addresses this theme on tracks like “Billie Bossa Nova,” “OverHeated,” and “NDA.”
During her world tour for her debut album, which was abruptly halted in early 2020 due to the pandemic, she presented a short film called “Not My Responsibility.” In it, she discusses why she always wears baggy clothes and how everything she does, says, or thinks attracts negative comments. The text from this film is now incorporated into a spoken word track on “Happier Than Ever,” aligning perfectly with the themes Eilish wants to convey.
In addition to the heavy themes prevalent in both the lyrics and music, there is room for lighter songs, such as “Halley’s Comet” and “Male Fantasy”. “Halley’s Comet” serves as the successor to the beautiful and sensitive “I Love You” from her first album. Delivering a melancholic message about opening up to a loved one. This is a rare occurrence in Billie’s music, and she likens it to the infrequent sighting of Halley’s comet, which only appears every 75 years.
Fan Criticism After Initial Singles
After the release of the first singles, Billie Eilish faced criticism on social media. Some fans were concerned that the new sound on “Happier Than Ever,” as heard in songs like “Your Power” and “Lost Cause,” might not resonate with them. This criticism isn’t entirely fair, as every artist seeks to reinvent themselves continually. Especially a young pop star like Billie Eilish, who is far from settling into her own sound.
Eilish’s recognizable sound is still prevalent throughout “Happier Than Ever.” She fully utilizes her unique, whispering vocal style. You can also hear the growth in her voice. Reflecting her maturity and the wealth of experience she gained while creating this album in her brother’s bedroom.
A new sound also makes an appearance and does not disappoint. On the title track, “Happier Than Ever,” which comes as the 15th track, Eilish starts as we are accustomed to. However, halfway through the song, there’s a change. Eilish’s vocal prowess is well-known, but her ability to explore different genres is a newer development. In the middle of the title track, she incorporates a common pop/rock sound complete with roaring guitars and real (non-computerized) drums. Her vocals also take on a different, positively different, tone here. Knowing that Eilish can diversify her music only enhances the album’s appeal.
Another highlight on the album is “Oxytocin.” Set to a captivating beat that blends elements of her previous hits “Bad Guy” and “Bury A Friend,” she explores the perspective of someone wanting to exploit her sexually. It’s a powerful song, consistent with Eilish’s previous work, and it translates well to a danceable beat. The growth of FINNEAS as her regular producer is abundantly evident here. It’s safe to say that this track will be a highlight on the “Happier Than Ever” World Tour!
In addition to her extensive music career, Eilish is increasingly involved in directing. This began with her own music videos, driven by her disappointment with previous directors, leading her to take control. Her music videos have consistently complemented her strong songs. Beyond music videos, she recently created a short film for Prime Video, featuring her music in a long-form video. Eilish’s collaboration with streaming services continues to grow. To promote her album, “Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles” will be released on Disney+ on September 3rd. This cinematic concert experience for her powerful second album is sure to be a must-watch for pop music enthusiasts!
