Is Billie's Hit Me Hard and Soft AOTY? | Review + Analysis
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2024
- Billie Eilish's 3rd studio album, "Hit Me Hard and Soft" might be her second AOTY Grammy. In this video, we're going to dive into this sharp and short 10 track record that's just as brave and daring as her old works. Is Hit Me Hard and Soft an AOTY contender? YES! I'm going to break it down for you before assigning this record a score! #hitmehardandsoft #billieeilish #popmusic
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What did y’all think of Hit Me Hard and Soft?! 💙
I need the second album bc I don’t believe this is the only one!
If there is a second album? She deserves to sweep the Grammys. Sorry not sorry.
@@theskeptic777People believe it’s July 5th based on merch release dates and the lack of a “red album”
What is AOLY?
Nevermind! I figured it out. I hate all the shorthand. I didn't hear a word you said until 3:03 mark because that's how much time I spend trying to figure out what it meant. Lol. No disrespect intended. I hope you are having a good weekend.
I can’t believe all the AOTY contenders dropped so early in the year
I think we still have surprises left up until September which is the Grammy cutoff
@@EljohnMacaranas Ariana, Dua, Taylor, and Billie ate too hard I fear, it’s gonna be hard to top them
Crazy we’re not even halfway in the year and we keep getting hits
@@noneapplicable1327literally they keep coming!
@@CatNagTaylorsVersionnot taylor. all her albums are trash.
The main pop girlies popped off this year, my wig has been thoroughly snatched
I don’t think anyone has disappointed me profoundly this year
Taylor diddnt snatch me though i'm perfectly fine 😐
@@quincetito9378 well, her album TTPD has grown on me, but I'm afraid the number of songs that have made it to my permenant playlist isn't very Big, those being :
My boy only breaks his favorite toys, down Bad, But daddy I love him(3rd favorite) guilty as sin (2nd favorite) fresh out the slammer (my absolute favorite) I Can Do it with a broken Heart, the alchemy and I'm gonna get you back, so 8 songs
@@quincetito9378I def think it’s the sheer volume of the work, like I’m only coming around on a few tracks I disliked before but then getting bored of other tracks I liked week 1
@@mohamedAgacemOnly 12 or so tracks have really stuck with me out of the 30 😓
This album blew me away I have to give credits to Finneas, he killed it on the production. Great review!
FINNEAS is truly one the best pop producers out there, I’d love for him to branch out and work with more artists but I feel like the sibling trust between Billie and him is what makes their music so real!
the diner being from a stalker’s POV and her taking that story and running with it is insane, reminded me of 2019 Billie
I see so many people hate on it as if it’s not a solid track, maybe a little jarring but it’s good!
BLUE does give Lana Del Rey vibes, I’m so happy she’s like open about the influence Lana had on her career, all these alternative girls would have never happened without Lana ☺️
No like she was so real for saying none of these girls would exist without Lana, also like Billie x Ultraviolence sound would be a slay as True Blue says
I feel like I could hear Lorde too
Yeah there def is a bit of Lorde in there!
I also got laufey vibes from some of the songs
@@dont.talk-2meLAUFEY needs to have her mainstream moment soon
People hate industry plant artists. But Billie is the kind of industry plant that is backed up with pure talent. She & Finneas are one of the rare gems in the music business.
Tbf so many people are plants like I was working on a Chappell Roan video and she was signed to Atlantic who tried to make her work for 5 years before dropping her! Like overnight successes are r far few and between nowadays
BIRDS OF A FEATHER is so cute! I’m so glad Heartstopper used it, like it’s perfect for Nick and Charlie even that sad bit you were talking about 😢
That one was my personal favorite! Like it’s such a sweet song like definitely for the coming of age crowd 😭💙
It’s such a cute lil bop! And it fits Heartstopper so well, it’s crazy, I need that song in literally everything from here on out. 😭
I need it in a cute lil trailer for a romcom rn
we are being FED this year
Every other week, the pop girls reminding us of their excellence
New fave album tbh, the greatest and bittersuite are 10s for me
The Greatest has to be one of her best songs like… most of this record is a step up from a pretty solid discography
bittersuite is one of my faves
Bittersuite’s really grown on me over the day!
@@EljohnMacaranas After relistening a few more times I added chihiro to my short 10s list. Both songs really transport you to somewhere else. And then the greatest just hits really hard for me rn.
Birds of A Feather is the cutest, most lovely, most happy, most fun track ever, I think this is a sign I need more happy cutesy music in my life
We need a little cute chill bop every now and then, the world’s too dark sometimes 💙
@@EljohnMacaranas This album reminded me how much I missed Billie’s and Finneas’s presence in the pop scene lol While the music this year has been great, it all js isn’t the same anymore since Billie has ran away w the AOTY 😭
Oh agreed, we needed some variation
Skinny hit me hard and I had to stop my Original listen of the album after Skinny but I’m glad I returned to the album. Wildflower is my personal favorite. I’m hoping the album ages well for me
Oh SKINNY is What Was I Made For?’s even more depressed sister, really gut punched me then Lunch comes in like 🤪
I think Wildflower’s one of her best ballads! I think the album’s gonna be amazing on tour which I really use to determine if something ages well! Like Reputation really grew on people after its tour!
I’m hoping that it isn’t a double album yet, I want this album to have time to breathe and I feel like when it’s a double album release especially coming so soon after the Original then it hurts the albums role out, I hope we get a proper roll out with a conclusion first and then maybe the other album if there is one. We just saw with TTPD how timing with a double album is everything and I hope Billie takes notes from that
I 💯 agree while TTPD was a big success, I thought the Anthology exhausted some critics and a few non-fans and took away from everyone appreciating the core record.
this girlie did not disappoint. I was weary because we saw how many called her a flop for HTE. I personally loved that album and will defend that to this day lol. this album is just too good. the first half was personally my favorite and the second half after lamour de ma vie will need some more time to get use to. she really proved herself as a vocalist with this album. she kind of steered away from her typical “whisper” singing and really emphasized her vocals. the greatest, chihiro, and birds of a feather along with obv lunch are some of my favs. skinny just had be bawling, so beautiful.
can we also appreciate finneas and his production. he is so versatile and unique with his sounds. normally I like to see artists work with different writers and producers but honestly they work so well together I would not mind if they stick together for their entire career.
HTE being called a flop for missing out on Grammys and being poorly promo’d she missed out on a Number 1 bc of Therefore I Am being dropped on a Thursday! I think she’s a true vocalist and agree she and FINNEAS do not get stale the way a certain other producer combo has gotten.
People called HTE a flop😭?
I thought that was just peak Billie
same!! my AOTY as of the moment. i'm obsessed at how good it was, love birds of a feather 💙
I love seeing Birds of a Feather love!!!! It’s one of my faves! It’s so cute and just perfect frothy pop!
@@EljohnMacaranas it actually made me cry on my initial listen 🥹
I feel like "the greatest" has a huge Ethel Cain influence, like the big huge moment of that song feels something out of thoroughfare, or Family Tree. Probably in my top 3
Oh, definitely the vocals having the same echo-y belt, I never realized how similar they could sound!
Well, yes! I think this might just be AOTY! And I thought Beyonce had it in the bag. But no, here comes Billie out of nowhere, this album wasn't even on my radar until 10 days ago. Is it too early to call this Billie's magnum opus?! Words cannot begin to explain how mesmerized I am. EVERYTHING! The production is so dynamic, colorful, epic. Billie sounds amazing, and I'm so happy she gets to use her voice in so many ways. When I saw 10 tracks, 43 mins I knew I was getting something good, and she did not disappoint. Absolutely no filler! 10/10
I needed this after the chaos that was Eurovision 2024, which I think aged me by 10 years from all the stress
Billie really sat down and channeled the best of her old work and something new. This is coming from someone who was sorta eh about her debut and eventually a bigger fan of HTE. It’s so disciplined which is rare for younger artists in a streaming age that’s fast and loose! Loved it!
(Tell me about with Eurovision)
indeed a headphone record!!
Seriously, something that made this a 10 for me because it’s magical on headphones in a way others aren’t!
Happier Than Ever became an all time favorite of mine on the first listen… and I love this one MORE?! I’m excited for all these songs to pop up in between all sort of others over the next couple years. There’s just so much sonic diversity I’m so interested to see how they’ll be once I can digest them out of context too.
I think the sonic diversity is gonna make for a good show when she does tour this. HTE slowly became one of my 2021 faves while this one has rocket shot to my Top 2! I think the restraint on this one vs HTE which was scattered and dense.
Little correction: The first part of "Blue" is derived from "True Blue"
an unreleased gem of her DSAM era that fans always admired.
The second part is based on "Born Blue", which was supposed to appear on HTE but
was scrapped last minute.
Aaaah thank you! Also wow! True Blue is that old?!
@@EljohnMacaranas Yes. “True Blue” is an unreleased song written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell. The track has been performed three times, but seemingly only recorded once, live at the Bardot Hollywood on October 10, 2016. A studio version of the song leaked on January 31, 2022.
hi! correction:
the first part of blue is "true blue" - which she has been teasing for years
"born blue" is the second part of blue. it was on the og HTE tracklist but was removed
Thank you! I wanted to know whats the second one’s name! That’s so cool!
Shocked! She hit me hard and soft - Chihiro is my song
Chihiro’s such a pretty little song like the energy… I can see it smashing
This might be one of the best albums this year. I was literally scared when I was at the 8th track and there wasn't a single bad song. I think a lot of artists should learn from this. There's no need for a long album only to have many fillers.
My faves so far are..
1. BIRDS OF A FEATHER
2. CHIHIRO
3. L'AMOUR DE MA VIE
4. THE GREATEST
I think this is her most deserving record to date. Not a single wasted or bad track, something her first two records can’t claim. Your ranked list of faves is pretty much my Top 4 in order rn ngl 💙 like Birds of a Feather has quickly become my most played. Something about its lightness even with dark lyrics that I adore!
This is the first Billie album I’ve liked off the first listen. I can’t wait to listen to it again with headphones
Headphones really make this one pop!
Ten tracks, 45 minutes? Well, that's very nice of her. 😉
Honestly, the restraint to not overwhelm us is pretty admirable, I’m shocked she didn’t double album bomb us
okay, this one is the one that makes me a billie eilish fan. holy crap!!!! thank you for another great analysis eljohn!! ❤
She’s won me over wholesale… like probably my fave Zoomer pop girl next to Olivia. Thanks for tuning in 💙
Album of the year will be really interesting to watch. My predictions are "Eternal sunshine" or "Hit me hard and soft"
Honestly, the Recording Academy has hard work ahead of it. I do think we’ll have a better picture once we see the campaigns begin in the late Fall. Ariana has Wicked promo but she will also probably campaign hard for ES
Great review! So many amazing albums this year and more to come (Charlixcx). This is a beautiful record and has a nice vibe. She’s choosing to share more of her vocal dynamic and range. “Birds of a Feather” reminded me of the Jackson 5 in the best way.
The vocal range honestly really did impress me, she’s been accused of being a mumbler and in this one she actually belts!
My initial response seems to be a lot more underwhelmed than a lot of people's. Her previous two albums were some of my favorites with "Happier Than Ever" being the best. I really connected with its maximalism and experimentation. It could just be that I liked how messy and honest it was even as it pushed her sound.
This isn't to say that I hate or even dislike "Hit Me Hard," but I got to the end and thought it was fine. The highest praise that I could give is that it would grow on me and maybe in a few months I'll see what everyone sees in it. For now, it feels a lot more muted and understated in ways that aren't fully connecting with me. With that said, I really enjoy how this feels like her most personal record to date and there is a sense that she's happier than ever. I love how alive she feels and that there's clearly some inspiration shining through.
I guess maybe I'm just not as sold upon first listen as some. More than anything, this feels like a personal record not designed for immediate mainstream appeal, and it makes me think something will click for me eventually. For now it's my third favorite though still evidence of her talent and ability to challenge and surprise. Wish I could give it a 10/10 like you, but it may take some time.
I get the comment, it’s definitely a more intimate quiet record, I don’t think Billie or her team want to push this as the “biggest record in the world” like the lack of pre-album singles and the album listenings being just the only promo makes it feel that way
I 100% agree, listening to it at it's midnight release maybe had a hand in why it felt like it started to drag a bit for me. Hopefully like you said it grows on me alot more
As an fan of all three
Hit me hard & soft- 9.5/10
Radical optimism - 8.5/10
TTPD - 6.5/10
This girl never misses, Billie AOTY is yours!!!!
Spill on that 9.5
Birds of a feather is straight out of the desire I want to turn into you play book
She said Pretty In Possible with that one!
loved this video!
Thank you!! Glad you did! 💙
What is with the pops girls making me come around to them this year, never really listened to Beyonce or Billie but CC and HMHAS has me coming back over and over
CC and HMHAS have really elevated Bey and Billie for me above me already liking them a lot!
I was a mix of hyperexcited and a bit scared for thos release, the latter because some of my favourite pop girls disappointed me with their most recent albums. But Billie gave me everything I wanted (reference unintended!) AND a whole bunch of stuff I never even knew I wanted. I'm so happy, it's an easy 10/10 for me. I can't pick a favourite song, (although Lunch and Birds of a Feather are bringing me so much joy - I turn 50 this year and they make me feel 19 again) I just love how cohesive the whole track list is. Billie and Finneas just keep getting better, and they started out at a point few artists ever reach. Just amazing people!
Billie and Finneas have outdone themselves! Just a really solid record and I’m so glad that Lunch and Birds of a Feather really clicked with you!
So I really wasn't much of a Billie fan. I liked some of her songs and that was it.
This album completely gagged me. Its totally fighting for my AOTY. The songwriting, letting songs breathe, the production, the songwriting, how experimental it was, and her vocals; everything was perfect.
I almost cried multiple times. Like I'm completely starstruck
For updates
Radical optimism grew on me but it's not one of my favorites that came out this year
And the scarlet deluxe songs i really like now
I think it’s like a well-executed and clever record. I agree that it does let the music breathe. I actually did get emotional during BLUE, I feel like as someone who also really felt a kinship with the color and had a pretty bad breakup last year, I felt seen!
Radical Optimism and the Scarlet DLX growing on you is great!
The double album theory too.
I’m so hyped for July if it’s true!
i love this album, and it pushed back Deeper Well from top 1 for AOTY contender. My fav tracks:
Chihiro, Birds of a Feather, The Greatest and L'amour de ma vie. I could listen to those 4 tracks over and over
Did you hear the extended L’AMOUR DE MA VIE REMIX
@@EljohnMacaranas ofc I did. Amazing, 🤩
I absolutely enjoyed HIT ME HARD AND SOFT !! The production & lyrics are really good. To me it’s more like chaotic to me..?? Like I did not expect for some of the songs to just, like, SWITCH IT UP LMAO ☠️ but overall it’s a really great record. I always love how detailed your reviews are🧎🏻♂️➡️
Edit: oh, & I forgot to add: this is most definitely AOTY material 😎
Thank you sm for watching! I fully agree that the records really a curveball like I’ve seen a lot of people shocked at the genre shifts but I adore it! 💙 and yes def AOTY material!
You forgot to talk about how the melody of the greatest is in the end of skinny and the end of blue 😩
I didn't even realize that omg
Kacey Musgraves ‘Deeper Well’ is still my favorite release of 2024 and my personal AOTY so far…. But this album is the only other album released this year that’s giving Deeper swell competition! Although Lana still hasn’t released Lasso so we will have to see! I’m so happy that we have been getting records that our favorite artists are really proud of putting out into the world!
Deeper Well’s in my top few! Another one I immediately had to snag tour tickets to! I think 2024’s been so generous about quality music!
So glad you caught how Lana coded Blue is. When she sings "Open up the door" it sounds like it's going to lead into Blue Jeans "a piece of me died"
Yesssss, the intonation is identical, as is the sort of progression of the chords, it feels very early Lana
IF LUNCH DOESN'T BECOME A SUMMER HIT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE ROYALLY SCREWED UP!!!! Billie really keeps outdoing herself and I am here for it! This album was AMAZING and Finneas absolutely COOKED with the production!
Lunch is the song of the summer for me with Espresso tbh, I see it smashing. This album is my personal fave insta smash this year. The production is classes above some of my other faves and the lyric work is just as solid. Cannot believe she dropped this in the middle of May without a crazy rollout, the confidence! Loved being surprised!
Well, first part of “BLUE” is a reedition of “true blue” which is a demo from the past and second part is “Born Blue” which is a song that didn’t make the cut from Happier Than Ever.
Oh wow, I think it’s cool she brought back the demos
My favorites are lunch and lamour de ma vie and blue
L’Amour De Ma Vie is 💙💙💙 and the second half omg
@@EljohnMacaranas frfr
Like cannot wait to see it live!
@@EljohnMacaranas I wish I could go but I can’t I hope someone records it
Agreed i mean its strobg competition in terms of major female srrists this year but ....agreed three outta three for her top tier pop
I think in terms of Grammy’s sorta meta, it’s probably one of the best well positioned albums (short tracklist, cohesive sound, critical acclaim), it’ll be stiff against Beyonce, Taylor, Ari, and Kacey but Billie is a fave for the Academy
Hope you can listen to Willow's new album Empathogen it's very Grammy Worthy as well
I def will listen soon!
I love the length. Most albums are too long these days
Agreed, or at least just not tracklisted!
Nice Reaction - of course, if everybody was as enthralled by "Hit Me Hard and Soft" as you they would win AOTY - I am! ONE NOTE: You are one - I can't think of another off hand -reactor who realized BitterSUITE was a reference not only to a hotel SUITE, but also a MUSICAL SUUITE and I appreciated that - I'm 70 and listen to classical music and actually did realize that FINNEAS and BILLIE almost certainly has that expansive meaning of SUITE in mind.
Thank you for watching! I’m glad you agree on Suite’s triple entendre, I feel like Finneas and Billie are truly musical nerds in a way that informs and improves their craft!
This, Eternal Sunshine and (hopefully) Brat will get me through this year 😫
Praying for Brat but I’ve loved everything so far!
@@EljohnMacaranas same! In Charli we trust
So far according to a lot of ppl eternal sunshine isn't even top3??? I love Billie and I did enjoy the album but the clarity that es has, I don't it has.
Eternal Sunshine flits in and out of my Top 3 along with Deeper Well!
Do you think you Could cover Gwen Stefani’s debut solo album!
Def in the down time once I filter through the last of the newer drops
I thoght she was talking from her perspective in the diner.. like yo know her crazy manic alter ego. Like shes so obsessed with that girl
It’s kinda up to interpretation, I only cast doubt bc in BLUE the song is omitted from the recap
This Album is underwhelming When We Fall Asleep Where Do We Go is still her Best.
I feel like WWFAWDWG is a hard record to match, maybe the other half if it’s real might be better for you (there’s a whole theory bc of ILOMILO)
@@EljohnMacaranas Yes I love a Bangers Record, This Album just like Taylor's TTPD there is no melody that stuck to your mind, any song out of the Album wouldn't make sense as a standalone song, they are both enjoyable experience Albums if you give them a full listen, but there is not a single song I could add to my playlist and listen to it. You know what I mean ?
I feel like both Albums dont have that timeless song that will stay forever like Lovely or Occean Eyes by Billie or Champagne Problems, All Too well by Taylor.
@@EljohnMacaranas Also after the success of Happier Than Ever (the song) I was expecting Billie to go more into the Rock/Metal/Punk Sound especially with all the Red photoshoots at the begining before the sudden switch to Blue. I hope the Double Album theory is true and we will get an Album to rock to, I know Billie is not a Rock kinda artist but I would like to hear in something new and different.
I'm so glad everyone else.likes the album. It's.... Well, I have nothing to say that is nice, so I won't.
😭
It came out last night and you already have a review?? Too soon imo
I was gonna hold off a day or two but have a busy weekend and made up my mind pretty fast!
Seeing Billie Eilish release a generic, radio friendly 80s throwback song as something meant to be a radio hit is incredibly depressing. I don't get why people are giving Lunch so much praise and just accepting this as ok. It feels like fake 80s music is becoming the new trap music and it needs to go away
am i the only one that thinks this album isn’t that good? probably only 4 good songs on this album, songs too personalized to relate to, and not to mention how it’s just too much. skinny is just nmr w/o the good transition into overheated. lunch is catchy but just repetitive? chihiro is one that’s great! love both parts and the lyrics are great. then we get birds of a feather which i guess isn’t bad but just.. eh? wildflower is probably my least favorite on the album, it just didn’t mean much to me and one of those songs that are too personal to relate to. i could go on but is there anyone that thinks the same way? don’t think it’s aoty quality:/
It's been only a day since the album came out, I think you should take a little bit more time to review these albums.
Eh, in this one’s case I actually did really click with it instantly in a way others haven’t clicked with me.
Tbh to me, a older generation, it just sounds like every song in the 80s. Nothing new, nothing brilliant. Very disappointed
easily her most generic and uninspired album. and a 3 year wait.. for... this? 💀
she should stop stealing marilia adamaki,she stole all hers,marilia sued them,finneas stop,return all awards back he stole them all with marilia's lyrics,law,she impersonates her clothes,hair,personality,but marilia talented,down to earth,nothing alike stop
????
We are so back MAC NATION RISE
MAC NATION 💙