For the better part of a decade, Billie Eilish worked to become one of the most recognizable forces in pop music. Through her collaborations with her brother and producer FINNEAS, the singer sold has more than five million albums and, at 18, became the youngest artist to sweep Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 2020 Grammys, according to the Harper’s BAZAAR. Last month, the artist dropped her third solo album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. Exploring new topics, the now 22-year-old proves she still has more of her story to share.

While the album discusses varying themes such as her sexuality and mental health due to being in the public spotlight, it also serves as a callback to her 2019 debut album through its subdued production and playful lyrics. Her signature whisper singing style is noted throughout the album especially on tracks like “CHIHIRO” and “BITTERSUITE.” 

A rarity in Eilish’s catalog because of its lyrics and production, “LUNCH” serves as the lead single for the album. Not only does the song explore her sexual attraction to women, it proves more upbeat than Eilish’s other songs. The song, along with the album as a whole, received praise from sources including Rolling Stone and The Guardian and audiences alike for its departure from her previous work and bold musical themes. 

Similarly, the opening track “SKINNY” exudes emotional vulnerability and explores themes of body image and the public eye. With “People say I look happy / Just because I got skinny / But the old me is still me and maybe the real me / And I think she’s pretty,” Eilish continues singing about her body and comments on her appearance in 2021 song “Not My Responsibility,” which also received praise for its vulnerability. 

She continues the track by singing “And you said I was your secret / And you didn’t get to keep it / And the internet is hungry for the meanest kind of funny and somebody’s gotta feed it,” which comments on the internet’s incessant and often harmful criticism. 

Standout tracks from the 10 song album include “SKINNY,” “LUNCH,” “CHIHIRO,” “THE GREATEST” and “BITTERSUITE”. While the album can feel short at times, Billie Eilish continues to maintain her reputation as one of the most innovative and compelling artists of this generation with her appealing stylistic choices. Additionally, fans of her earlier work will appreciate its similarity in sound to projects like 2019’s “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” 

4 birds of a feather out of 5