Billie Eilish’s new debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” has proven she is the queen of creepy pop. She emanates a confidence manifested out of darkness. At the same time, she shows off her emotional side and flaunts how it feels to be human. Released on March 29, its spooky themes, openness and daunting lyrics prove that Eilish’s successes, including debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, are well-deserved.
The album starts off with a comical intro involving Invisalign and then takes a turn. “Bad Guy” hits with an upbeat melody and heavy base. Eilish’s lyrics taunt a lover, questioning his tough guy image while emphasizing her own inner badness. A guy who puffs out his chest is nowhere near as intimidating as she, who makes his mother sad and even considers seducing his father. It’s not a song to listen to with parents, but it is absolutely one to make someone feel unstoppable for a few minutes.
“You Should See Me in a Crown” stands out as the most empowering song on the album, both lyrically and instrumentally. More intense than the rest, it is loud and full. Eilish’s use of crescendos and voice effects help to assert her dominance. The music itself brings the song’s story to life.
Similarly, “All Good Girls Go to Hell” and “Bury a Friend” are powerful songs, too. “All Good Girls Go to Hell,” with a louder baseline than “Bad Guy,” uses Christian references to challenge the concept of morality between good and evil. In a way, Eilish is praising those who go to hell, despite people in heaven being “good.” Once taken a step further, the allusions become metaphors for climate change, as Eilish has confirmed the song to really be about.
“Bury a Friend” is as chilling as its title implies. The video itself is like a short horror film. The song is also as catchy as it is horrific. In it, Eilish takes on a monstrous identity and questions what happens after death. Filled with disturbing lyrics that leave the listener feeling haunted, the song has a deeper meaning.
During the refrain, she asks, “what do you want from me? Why don’t you run from me?” and “why aren’t you scared of me? Why do you care for me?” Whether there is a scary creature in her presence, or if she herself is the monster, the subject is met with some sort of empathy. Life and self-identity both come into question. The music is infectious. It’s message is eerie and fascinating.
“My Strange Addiction” is another dance tune. Being sung to a love interest, Eilish’s words show the strong pull she feels toward a certain person. Not quite a love song, it depicts Eilish’s addiction as a serious problem. She uses harsh lyrics like “bite my glass, set myself on fire,” representing how messed up she is over it. It’s a memorable song. The strangest thing about it, though, isn’t her addiction, but the sampled voice clips from “The Office” used throughout.
Several of Eilish’s songs are shocking and dark, but her voice is eloquent and always beautiful. The way she uses it evokes raw emotion in many of her songs, including “Wish You Were Gay,” “When the Party’s Over” and “8.” She expresses her mournful situations in a way that is very personal. It’s as if she is taking something private about herself and courageously sharing it with the rest of the world. She does it charmingly. It’s clear that she put her soul into these songs. Eilish is talented enough to make the listener feel what she is feeling, even if the situation does not relate to them.
Billie Eilish is a brilliant, young artist with a voice like no other. Her writing abilities are well beyond her years. She is grim, yet imaginative and enchanting. “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” is a well-written, well-produced album, and Eilish has claimed her rightful place in the spotlight where she belongs.
By Vanessa Donadio, Contributing Writer
donadivj16@bonaventure.edu
