When we all fall asleep, where do we go? This is the question the 22-year-old, LA-born singer pondered back in 2019 in her debut album entitled that exact question. Going further back, Billie Eilish broke down the doors of the music industry in 2016 with her hit debut single “Ocean Eyes.” Eilish and her brother, Finneas, decided to submit a short little tune to the indie streaming service SoundCloud. Without anticipating any streams, this song quickly became a hit. Fans from across the country and beyond sunk their teeth into this dreamy, almost tragic ballad. The magic of Billie Eilish and her brother attracted loads of new fans in such a short period of time. Not long after this single was released, Billie Eilish released her EP entitled Don’t Smile At Me. She dove deep into the themes of her previous single and stunned listeners with her dreamy vocals, deep bass, and gut-wrenching lyrics of teenage romance and heartbreak.
Billie Eilish has taken over the music scene over the past seven years. She shocked audiences with her ominous, darkly comical first album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? This album won the “Big 4” awards at the Grammys, winning best new artist, album of the year, song of the year, and record of the year. She is the second artist in Grammy history to win all four. I mean, this album coming out was transformational for me in 2019. If you were called the dramatic friend or known as the one who would blast their music at 7 a.m. in the high school senior parking lot, you also probably loved the album. Packed with angsty California themes, Eilish related to an entire audience of loyal listeners.
Billie Eilish and her brother are a force to be reckoned with. They mean business. Their music is extremely emotional and personal while relating to people of all different backgrounds. I think that true artists can write a deeply personal song while also being extremely universal. I find that her two most recent albums do that very well. She released Happier Than Ever in 2019 and Hit Me Hard and Soft in 2024. Happier Than Ever explores themes of growing up, finding love, losing love, and experiencing all those 20-somethings’ emotions. Some notable songs are “Lost Cause,” “Therefore I Am,” “Your Power,” and, of course, “Happier Than Ever.” With her Barbie blond hair, she released about an hour of the most dreamy pop vocals known to man, with her brother producing the entirety of it. Did somebody say Barbie?
Think about that blockbuster we were all talking about in 2023. You know the one. The hit movie Barbie by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach was released in 2023, which shifted the world. We all felt the impact of this tremendous film that discovers themes of sexism, self-discovery, misogyny, and just pure cultural reflection. With beautiful composition came “What Was I Made For?” This song… I have no words. If you listen to this song, I guarantee it will have you in tears in the first thirty seconds. Billie Eilish and Finneas upped their game with this single. Winning the best song written for visual media at the Grammys, this brother-sister duo changed the world.
With Hit Me Hard And Soft being released more recently, Billie Eilish taps into a seductive, playful tone. She speaks on current queer relationships and looks back on old partners. She stuns listeners with outstanding vocals that can come across as more jazz-like sometimes when she sings in her lower register. With songs like “CHIHIRO,” “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” and “LUNCH,” she totally surprises audiences with her risque lyrics and lively themes. I think this album was Billie’s way of reclaiming her sexuality, personality, and overall music industry existence. Listening to this album will take you through a whirlwind of emotions, from lust to absolute loss.
Whether you want to sit in a dark room for a while and headbang, dance at the club with your friends, or just passively listen to some good beats, Billie Eilish is the artist for you. Eilish and her brother create music for those of us who are deep feelers; this doesn’t always mean you feel sad emotions. If you like to go out and be around your friends, Billie Eilish is perfect for you, and if you like to stay in and wallow, she is also perfect for you. My advice is to listen to her most recent album while you walk to class. If you’re coming from the back of Hoboken, the 18th floor of UCC towers, or a cute little first-year dorm, blast Billie Eilish in those earbuds, and you will be sure to have a motivating and upbeat day. I recommend listening to “CHIHIRO” right before you go into your boring lecture. Trust me, you’ll instantly be pumped up and ready to go.
