Shades of Blue & Queer: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish

Overall Rating: 8.7/10

The album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish is truly a masterpiece of vocals, lyrics, and production. It was already a widely acknowledged fact that Billie was talented, but this album brought out so much more of her complexity and range. Her vocals are more powerful and expressive than ever, conveying a wide range of emotions with nuance and depth. The album also explores themes such as fame, queerness, death, and depression in a beautiful, heartbreaking, but relatable way. The album’s production is equally impressive, blending intimate acoustic moments with electronic textures and experimental soundscapes. With its honest lyrics, captivating vocals, and innovative production, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is a compelling portrait of love and heartbreak in the modern age. It’s an album that invites listeners to connect with their own experiences of intimacy, vulnerability, and self-discovery.  

Track 1: SKINNY 8.7/10 

I love this track. I think it’s a beautiful start to the album and highlights Billie’s iconic breathy vocals. The lyrics really resonate with me (and I’m sure many others) as a woman in her early 20s struggling with body image, identity, and being perceived. 

Track 2: LUNCH 8.1/10

GAY! I love that this is the second track of the album and how Billie is boldly embracing her queer identity. The production of this song is also incredible, and I appreciate how the very catchy beat and bold lyrics caused the song to go viral. 

Track 3: CHIHIRO 7.6/10

This one is a little unremarkable for me except when she goes “meeee” like an angel, as well as when she shouts “AT ALL”. However, I saw an edit that increased my rating a bit because it detailed all the references to the movie Spirited Away that occur in the song.  

Track 4: BIRDS OF A FEATHER 9.8/10

This is my favorite song on the album, and it seems I’m not alone in that since this is another song that went viral online. Literally every aspect of this song speaks to me and gives me chills. The melodies, the lyrics, the production; top tier. I love how the music is fairly upbeat but the lyrics are pretty dark and disturbing. Some of my favorite parts are the way she says “but you’re so full of SHIT” and the last quarter of the song where they add a backup melody using a nontraditional instrument. It hits me in the chest every time. 

Track 5: WILDFLOWER 7.1/10

This one is one of my least favorites. Most of it is so slow that I can’t get into it. I’ve fallen asleep to it multiple times. But the background vocals are unmatched. And when she sings “Did I cross the line?” oof it hurts.

Track 6: THE GREATEST 9.1/10

“The Greatest” is such an underdog to me. Originally I thought I didn’t like it for some reason but am now obsessed. It very much reminds me of “Happier Than Ever” in terms of structure and setup. The transition to the second half of the song and her vocals is one of the best on the entire album. 

Track 7: L’AMOUR DA VIE 8.9/10

I love the nonchalance of the first half of this song. It feels like she’s rolling her eyes laughing the whole time and I’m in love. The second part is a vobe, but a bit weird and out of place in contrast with the first in my opinion. That being said, it’s still one of my favorites and I like how she pushed boundaries. 

Track 8: THE DINER 9.4/10

This may be my second favorite track on the album. I love songs like this that are old-timey and wacky and echo-y. I also love the callback to Billie’s queerness when she says “You could be my wife!” And my favorite part is when she whispers a phone number at the end.. so good. 

Track 9: BITTERSUITE 8.6/10

The production on this song…the synths are EVERYTHING. This is another one that feels like multiple songs but to me this one is a bit more cohesive. The ending is just an extension of “BLUE” though and I’m not a huge fan of that. 

Track 10: BLUE 9.3/10

This song…..The TRANSITION and tone adjustment when she goes, “But they could say the same ’bout me” and the layering of the background vocals is so stunning. PERFECT way to end the album.

If you enjoyed reading this review, also check out my review of For Cryin’ Out Loud! by Finneas, Billie’s brother who produced HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.