Billie Eilish’s ‘HIT ME HARD AND SOFT’ Album

On May 17th, 2024, Billie Eilish released her third studio album ‘HIT ME HARD AND SOFT’. Billie stated in an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, “This is the most ‘me’ thing I’ve ever made.” Billie’s goal within the album was to be her true and authentic self, she talks with Zane Lowe about her vulnerabilities as a musician and how it has often held her back.

Billie went on to describe her triumphs during her 2021 album ‘Happier Than Ever’, saying it was recorded during a “confusing, depressive pandemic haze.” Within these last three years, she has tried to find her ‘normal’ again, going out with friends, being open with herself and her sexuality, etc. At first, she was uncomfortable with the idea of her ‘HIT ME HARD AND SOFT’ reflecting these more recent personal practices because of its openness about her sexuality and identity, but she then goes on to say, “But now I’m like, ‘Yeah’, I’m comfortable in who I am now.’ I feel like I know who I am now.”

To no surprise, Billie’s album has been beloved by all listeners. The 44 minute album has somber ballads with a mix of modern jazz and pop. Of course, as the album promises, every song has a hint of a ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ component. Written and produced by Billie Eilish’s long term producer, writer, and brother FINNEAS, FINNEAS himself admitted that with this album they continued to drill harder into styles and lyrics they’ve never explored before. It made him feel fulfilled by the end of the project, knowing that he tested his limits as a producer and writer for Billie.

The track consists of the songs ‘SKINNY’, ‘LUNCH’, ‘CHIHIRO’, ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’, ‘WILDFLOWER’, ‘THE GREATEST’, ‘L’AMOUR DE MA VIE’, ‘THE DINER’, ‘BITTERSUITE’, and ‘BLUE’.