Billie Eilish looks to three-peat with the release of “HIT ME HAND AND SOFT.”
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TOP 5
5. BLUE
I rather have a girl that makes me turn blue than red.
“BLUE” is a multifaceted track. It begins with Billie Eilish reflecting on the heartbreak and regret often associated with relationships. As the song progresses, she discovers common ground with her ex, sharing insights into their shared struggles and emotional wounds. The track transitions through different emotional tones, starting with a positive, dreamy atmosphere, evolving into a somber mood, and blending upbeat and melancholic vibes. Billie’s performance is poignant, captivating, dynamic, and evokes feelings of both despair and optimism.
4. L’AMOUR DE MA VIE
The timeless quality of this track is undeniable. If you were to tell me it was crafted in 1923, I wouldn’t doubt it for a moment.
Seriously, add some static to this s**t and play it through a broken radio, and voilà, you’ll have Roaring Twenties gold! Though my favorite part of the track is actually the beginning, where Billie works over stripped-down production, I think plenty of people will appreciate it when it fully blooms and eventually turns into an intergalactic banger with serious punchy energy. It’s crazy to think that this track is about lovers breaking each other’s hearts like a game of Rock’em Sock’em Robots.
3. WILDFLOWER
Yes, Billie, you crossed the line…
I was on the edge of my seat reading the lyrics to “WILDFLOWER.” In the track, Billie talks about a girl she fell for while she was with someone else. Throughout, she makes it seem like it was an accident. Can you accidentally fall in love, though?
“WILDFLOWER” feels like a coming-of-age track. Aside from its candid lyrics, it just has that sound with its striking guitar licks, graceful lyrics, and eventual blossom. I bet you that Billie took a major sigh of relief after this track was finished being created.
2. CHIHIRO
“CHIHIRO” pays homage to ???? (Chihiro “Sen” Ogino) from Spirited Away, a Studio Ghibli film.
I admire Billie Eilish’s ability to transform simple lyrics into something extraordinary. While some may find her words in “CHIHIRO” repetitive, I believe it’s a strength because of the depth conveyed through her delivery and underlying meaning. Billie explores the concept of opening her gate, symbolizing how elaborate that may be. Eventually, that s**t opens, and you get a full sunshine. We like rays of sunshine, right?
1. LUNCH
Billie Eilish opens this track by saying she can “eat that girl for lunch.” Nope, she isn’t beating the rumors!
While I adore Billie Eilish’s enchanting, stripped-down ballads, there’s a refreshing thrill in hearing her serve up something that’s just plain electrifying. “LUNCH” boasts an infectious uptempo pop beat, a hook that’s bound to stick in your mind, some edgy guitar riffs (especially towards the end), and lyrics that offer a spicy glimpse into Billie’s rizz.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. SKINNY (5/5)
2. LUNCH (5/5)
3. CHIHIRO (5/5)
4. BIRDS OF A FEATHER (5/5)
5. WILDFLOWER (5/5)
6. THE GREATEST (4.5/5)
7. L’AMOUR DE MA VIE (5/5)
8. THE DINER (4/5)
9. BITTERSUITE (5/5)
10. BLUE (5/5)
RGM RATING
(A)
Goddammit, Billie Eilish is such an amazing artist!
When it comes to an artist as multifaceted as Billie Eilish, listeners have the luxury of selecting their preferred aspect of her artistry. In HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, the title aptly encapsulates the range of emotions she presents. At times, Billie tugs at heartstrings with poignant vocal deliveries, while at others, she offers lively and engaging performances. It’s almost like she’s the party starter, the buzz killer, and the one who wakes up without a hangover.
This album serves as a reminder that music is indeed an art form. It traverses through various eras and explores themes of love and heartbreak in diverse ways, eliciting a spectrum of emotions from the listener. It also captures the essence of musical theater’s allure and reaffirms the beauty of music itself. I kid you not: I found myself on the verge of tears while experiencing this exquisite body of work (though it could also be these funky gym clothes I’ve been stuck with for hours). Man, how fun is it listening to someone’s soul for several minutes?
F**k my top 5 list, just listen to this whole f**king album from start to finish, please.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
This Post Has One Comment
I’m a 70 yr. old Billie and Finneas fan – I haven’t seen your site before; I love your review; WWAFAWDWG is for me a classic and I do not believe HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is in competition with 17 yr old Billie and 21 yr old Finneas, but I believe this, too, is absolutely awesome. While “Lunch” is fun, engaging ear-appealing catalyst, as is “Birds of A Feather” – the more Ballad-like tunes captivate me at a more soulful level – especially “Chihiro”, “Bittersuite” and “Blue” [my favorite] – Wildflower does not completely captivate me possibly because I can’t relate to the drama of Jesse Rutherford, Devon Carlson and Billie; The DINER is engaging because she takes on a toxic theme and the world of THE STALKER”S who have really, truly violated her and her parents’ boundaries [otherwise, it’s a scary subject & obsession to deal with].