"When Alexander Hellene first invited me to write about music, we had a conversation about the goals of this publication and what sort of albums we wanted to focus on . . ."
I’d give it a 7.8. It’s interesting that “Lunch,” the big leadoff single, is by far the worst song on the album. It’s rote dance-by-numbers, and the “salacious” lyrics have zero impact. Wow, she’s in love with a girl. So edgy. Worse, it doesn’t fit with the rest of the tracks. At least it’s the second song.
Otherwise, Hit Me Hard and Soft displays a lot of creativity, and proves that Eilish can actually sing. “Skinny” has gorgeous guitar figures and the way it melts into a string-quartet at the end is downright Beatles-esque. Some tracks are uunderwritten, relying on production and not new melodic or harmonic material to maintain interest, such as “Chihiro” and “Birds of a Feather”; the latter is gorgeous and short enough to not overstay its welcome.
Hit Me Hard and Soft is at its best when it throws caution to the wind, mashing disparate ideas together in ways unexpected for a mainstream pop album. “The Greatest” trades plaintive acoustic balladry for crunch guitars and thunderous drums halfway through, and the Gallic pop of “L’Amour De Ma Vie,” a harsh kiss-off to some ex, gives way brilliantly to throbbing club techno. It’s honestly exhilarating and Eilish and her producer brother Finneas pull it off perfectly.
Not so much with “Bittersuite,” which I find interesting but disjointed, the transitions sort of forced. She brings it back with closer “Blue,” dreamy watery pop that opens up to a choppier section before ending with hushed vocals and haunting violin.
This is good music by a talented young woman. Much more interesting than Taylor Swift’s latest, bloated offering. Give Hit Me Hard and Soft an 8.2 or whatever if you like “Lunch.” This didn’t resonate as much with me as it did with Alexandru, but I still recommend giving Hit Me Hard and Soft a listen, even if you’re a fellow jaded oldhead.
I agree on Lunch, my least favorite on the track, it feels like a fun song they liked so it stayed.
One thing I really like, and the reason I'm so into this album is because shes 21 and was 17 when her first one came out. It tells me that there is stuff out there that takes pop from the past and remixes it along with a new fresh infusion for the future. Once again, she was 21 when she wrote this album, Debbie Harry was 29 when she formed Blondie.
Barely made it past the embed, "Lunch" is gross. "Birds of a Feather" is a really nice synthpop song. "Blue" wraps it up nicely by using lyrics from the rest of the album. 9.5 feels really high to me, that's stuff of legend level - I really doubt we'll all be listening to this album and talking about 5-10 years from now.
L’amour de ma vie was worth the second listen. Billie and her brother are seriously talented.
They are. Definitely a cut above most if their peers in the songwriting department. That song stuck out to me as well.
I listened to four or five tracks and loved them. On a first listen. Quality.
I’d give it a 7.8. It’s interesting that “Lunch,” the big leadoff single, is by far the worst song on the album. It’s rote dance-by-numbers, and the “salacious” lyrics have zero impact. Wow, she’s in love with a girl. So edgy. Worse, it doesn’t fit with the rest of the tracks. At least it’s the second song.
Otherwise, Hit Me Hard and Soft displays a lot of creativity, and proves that Eilish can actually sing. “Skinny” has gorgeous guitar figures and the way it melts into a string-quartet at the end is downright Beatles-esque. Some tracks are uunderwritten, relying on production and not new melodic or harmonic material to maintain interest, such as “Chihiro” and “Birds of a Feather”; the latter is gorgeous and short enough to not overstay its welcome.
Hit Me Hard and Soft is at its best when it throws caution to the wind, mashing disparate ideas together in ways unexpected for a mainstream pop album. “The Greatest” trades plaintive acoustic balladry for crunch guitars and thunderous drums halfway through, and the Gallic pop of “L’Amour De Ma Vie,” a harsh kiss-off to some ex, gives way brilliantly to throbbing club techno. It’s honestly exhilarating and Eilish and her producer brother Finneas pull it off perfectly.
Not so much with “Bittersuite,” which I find interesting but disjointed, the transitions sort of forced. She brings it back with closer “Blue,” dreamy watery pop that opens up to a choppier section before ending with hushed vocals and haunting violin.
This is good music by a talented young woman. Much more interesting than Taylor Swift’s latest, bloated offering. Give Hit Me Hard and Soft an 8.2 or whatever if you like “Lunch.” This didn’t resonate as much with me as it did with Alexandru, but I still recommend giving Hit Me Hard and Soft a listen, even if you’re a fellow jaded oldhead.
I agree on Lunch, my least favorite on the track, it feels like a fun song they liked so it stayed.
One thing I really like, and the reason I'm so into this album is because shes 21 and was 17 when her first one came out. It tells me that there is stuff out there that takes pop from the past and remixes it along with a new fresh infusion for the future. Once again, she was 21 when she wrote this album, Debbie Harry was 29 when she formed Blondie.
Barely made it past the embed, "Lunch" is gross. "Birds of a Feather" is a really nice synthpop song. "Blue" wraps it up nicely by using lyrics from the rest of the album. 9.5 feels really high to me, that's stuff of legend level - I really doubt we'll all be listening to this album and talking about 5-10 years from now.