Billie Eilish's 'Hit Me Hard and Soft': Soft Whispers, Hard Hits
With 'Hit Me Hard and Soft,' Billie Eilish proves she can softly caress our souls while delivering a hard punch to our hearts.
Billie Eilish's third album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft”, sees her exploring her sexuality and love in a way she’s never done before and through a dynamic mix of new sounds and themes, offering a refreshing take on her established style. Collaborating once again with her brother and producer, Finneas O’Connell, Eilish delivers 10 tracks that traverse the highs and lows of an intense and flawed relationship. The album’s title, inspired by a ProTools sound effect, perfectly encapsulates the record’s whispery delivery of big emotional impacts. Lust, adoration, possessiveness, infidelity, jealousy, sorrow, liberation, regret, and self-knowledge are all dissected in this hauntingly beautiful 44-minute journey.
The album kicks off with "SKINNY," a deeply personal reflection on adolescent stardom. Eilish questions her self-image, lamenting that even after becoming "skinny," she feels like "a bird in a cage." The track’s melody transitions into a string section, creating a poignant ending that highlights her vulnerability amid constant public scrutiny.
"LUNCH" is a swaggering, sapphic anthem that stands out as the album's catchiest electro banger. The song’s pulsating synth bassline and ska-inflected guitar merge with an explosive EDM-inspired bass, making it an irresistible celebration of lesbian desire.
"CHIHRO" offers a heavier, more familiar sound reminiscent of Eilish's previous work. The track is a reference to Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away” film and it’s main character Chihiro. This mid-tempo track, with its muffled vocals and deep house pulse, crescendos with Eilish’s intense background screams, marking it as one of the album’s best-produced pieces.
On the more mainstream front, "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" brings a mix of love and gloom with lyrics like “I want you to stay / Til I’m in the grave / Til I rot away… in the casket you carried.” This track’s somber tone contrasts sharply with the playful yet complex "WILDFLOWER," which delves into a ménage-à-trois but falls short of maintaining interest.
"The GREATEST" starts as an acoustic lo-fi confessional and crescendos into a powerful belter with a striking electric guitar solo. It serves as a thematic sequel to "Happier Than Ever," showcasing emotional depth and a subtle, yet explosive build that only Eilish is capable of.
"L’AMOUR DE MA VIE" takes a different turn with Eilish’s revelation that the person she’s singing about is no the love of her life. Midway through, the track transforms into the 80s club-influenced high synths and a strong beat that resembles The Weeknd’s hit “Blinding Lights”. Eilish’s vocal distortion adds a smoky, Laufey-esque quality, painting the tale of a doomed love affair in a whimsical, mocking tone.
In "THE DINER," Eilish recounts her chilling experience of being stalked, reflecting a real-life incident. The song's eerie vocals and shifting electronic beats transform into a haunting show tune, encapsulating the horror of unrequited love turning sinister.
"BITTERSUITE" and "BLUE" both also feature mid-song transitions, enhancing the album’s experimental edge. "BITTERSUITE" references "L’AMOUR DE MA VIE" and shifts to a darker organ-led melody, while "BLUE" carries a moody jazz chanteuse vibe, delivering a devastating critique of emotional helplessness.
Heavily influenced by French music on the album, Eilish and O’Connell's work on “Hit Me Hard and Soft” blends Eilish’s usual analogue acoustic intimacy with a new deftly woven electronica. With “Hit Me Hard and Soft”, Billie Eilish refines her sound while pushing musical boundaries. Her creativity shines through, and she has showcased to the world that she isn’t just one thing or one sound. Her artistic vision now seems limitless. The album’s diversity and brave production choices confirm that her presence in the music industry is not only needed but essential.
