Billie Eilish’s third studio album with producer and brother Finneas O'Connell, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” was released on May 17, and fans have the album on repeat. In the album, Eilish dives into topics including sexuality, love, and heartbreak with her lyricism.
Eilish announced “Hit Me Hard and Soft” on social media in April 2024. Later in May, tickets for the “Hit Me Hard and Soft” world tour went on sale. As a live performer, Eilish never fails to captivate her audience, so fans rushed to secure a spot.
Despite Eilish’s decision not to release a single before the album’s release, track two, “Lunch,” became the album’s lead single as it featured catchy beats and lyrics and was accompanied by a vibey music video.
Highs
Eilish’s voice, sound, and lyrics have matured since the beginning of her career. From her sophomore album, “Happier Than Ever,” to “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” Eilish continues to showcase the variety in her vocal abilities. Eilish, known for her soft, whisper vocals can also effectively take on a more upbeat tone and scream vocals. We can hear the shifts in Eilish’s vocal styles throughout the album.
“Hit Me Hard and Soft” features both hard and soft beats in a compelling order. The album starts off hard with a catchy queer bop, “Lunch,” followed by an upbeat, “Birds of a Feather,” Eilish takes a soft turn with “Wildflower” and “The Greatest,” before transitioning to the vibey sounds in “The Diner” and “Bittersuite.” The album ends on a somber note with “Blue,” where Eilish refers to her previous tracks. “Hit Me Hard and Soft” takes listeners on a beautiful journey through love and heartbreak.
Lows
Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” has no overarching lows. However, there is always room for improvement. As we have heard Eilish’s sound mature with time, we can expect to hear more vocal and lyrical improvement from her.
Verdict
Overall, Billie Eilish utilizes both hard and soft vocals, lyrics, and beats in her third studio album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” creating an ethereal listening experience. “Lunch” will continue to be playing on repeat in my headphones.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Madison Cantrell is the Arts and Entertainment Editor at The Eastern Echo and the Editor-in-Chief of Cellar Roots, EMU’s Fine Art Magazine. Since Fall 2023, they have written news, features, and reviews and taken photos for The Echo.
