I’ve been underwhelmed by the new songs Billie Eilish has released from her sophomore album Happier Than Ever (which was released a few days ago as you’re reading this post, but a week after I’m writing it).
Following my lukewarm reaction to her Grammy-sweeping smash When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, I figured maybe her 2017 debut EP Don’t Smile At Me was an exception and she just isn’t my cup of tea.
That may still be true, but I really like the new album’s fifth single, ‘NDA,’ which dropped a few weeks ago but escaped my attention until now.
‘NDA’ finds Eilish bemoaning the dark side of her fast fame, including a scary encounter she had with a stalker who camped outside of her house.
“Woe is me” tales by pop stars can be hit or miss, but given Eilish’s age and the misogynistic ugliness she has encountered over how much of her body she shows or doesn’t show, I completely buy any angst she’s expressing over her celebrity.
Did you think I’d show up in a limousine? (No)
Had to save my money for security
Got a stalker walkin’ up and down the street
Says he’s Satan and he’d like to meet
I bought a secret house when I was seventeen (Ha)
Haven’t had a party since I got the keys
Had a pretty boy over, but he couldn’t stay
On his way out, made him sign an NDA, mm
Yeah, I made him sign an NDA
Once was good enough
‘Cause I don’t want him havin’ shit to say, oh-oh
[Chorus]
You couldn’t save me, but you can’t let me go, oh, no
I can crave you, but you don’t need to know, oh-oh
[Verse 2]
Mm, mm-mm, mm
30 Under 30 for another year (Another year)
I can barely go outside, I think I hate it herе (I think I hate it here)
Maybе I should think about a new career
Somewhere in Kaua’i where I can disappear
I’ve been havin’ fun gettin’ older now
Didn’t change my number, made him shut his mouth (Shut his mouth, yeah)
At least I gave him somethin’ he can cry about
I thought about my future, but I want it now, oh-oh
Want it now, mm-mm-mm
You can’t give me up
[Chorus]
You couldn’t save me, but you can’t let me go, oh, no
I can crave you, but you don’t need to know, oh-oh
[Outro]
Did I take it too far?
Now I know what you are
You hit me so hard
I saw stars
Think I took it too far
When I sold you my heart
How’d it get so dark?
I saw stars
Stars
Meet Me In Montauk 
We just played the whole new album on one of our vacation drives. The reaction of the family was decidedly mixed, with Maddie, Amy and I liking most of what we heard, while Daniel was underwhelmed. I generally liked her jazzy 40s style sound, though I can see feeling she can get a bit too quiet and monotonous, particularly if you are not in the mood for her unique vibe.