Billie Eilish’s album “Hit Me Hard and Soft” released on May 17. The album is composed of 10 songs, including “LUNCH” and “CHIHIRO,” which were leaked before the release and captivated listeners with Eilish’s unique sense of lyricism and style. This album is similar to her previous airy sound in “Happier Than Ever,” featuring Eilish’s vulnerability through light vocals and elements of jazz.
“SKINNY”
The opening track of the album, “SKINNY,” showcases Eilish’s soft vocals with guitar instrumentals, creating a soothing yet melancholic atmosphere. Since her debut, Eilish has faced critical comments about her appearance, which she has previously addressed in her album “Happier Than Ever.” In “SKINNY,” Eilish sings, “People say I look happy / Just because I got skinny,” highlighting the misconception that her weight loss equates to happiness and addressing superficiality within the media. She further reveals her pride in her past self with the lyrics, “But the old me is still me and maybe the real me / And I think she’s pretty.”
“WILDFLOWER”
A ballad sung over mellow guitar chords, “WILDFLOWER” discusses the controversial relationship between Eilish and singer Jesse Rutherford. Portrayed as a homewrecker by the media, Eilish tells her gut-wrenching side of the story. She references her friendship with Devon Lee Carlson, Rutherford’s ex-girlfriend, asking herself “Did I cross the line?” Eilish reveals her deep-rooted insecurity by comparing herself to Carlson through the lyrics “I’d never ask who was better ‘cause she couldn’t be more different from me.” Throughout the song, the strain in Eilish’s voice parallels the difficulties of her relationships and gives the album a reflective yet desolate undertone.
“L’AMOUR DE MA VIE”
“L’amour de ma vie” translates from French to “the love of my life.” In this snazzy song backed with an upbeat guitar, Eilish uncovers more about her relationship with Rutherford. She expresses her unhappiness with the end of their relationship through the lyrics, “You said you’d never fall in love again because of me / Then you moved on immediately.” As she closes the song, Eilish sings, “It’s such a pity / We’re both so pretty,” possibly referencing herself and Carlson.
“BLUE”
At the album’s end, “BLUE” is the official version of Eilish’s unreleased song “True Blue,” popular among fans eager for its release. Alongside the album cover’s imagery of Eilish falling out of a door into deep blue water, this song highlights her despair through the opening line “I try to live in black and white, but I’m so blue.” Her emotions build throughout the song as she admits “I’d like to mean it when I say I’m over you / but that’s still not true,” implying that her misery partly results from a past relationship. The mood shifts from upbeat to soft piano chords, providing a sense of resolution as Eilish reveals her understanding of her partner and asserts she feels no resentment towards them. When the instrumentals fade away, Eilish asks “But when can I hear the next one?” — a subtle critique of insatiable fans already anticipating her next release.
