Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…
The Ladies of 2024
#5 – Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
At just 22 years old, Billie Eilish already has a slew of Grammys, two Oscars, and two best-selling albums. So what does one do as a follow-up to all that success?
Based on Eilish’s third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, the answer is whatever the hell she wants.
This is a record full of experimental production, fluid song structures, and unexpected detours. It sounds like what a creative artist comes up with when she’s had so much success that she’s no longer under any pressure to succeed.
Hit Me Hard and Soft is an interesting contrast to Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department. Swift, too, has made history in a dozen different ways, but she seems determined to double down on those achievements. I can’t imagine her putting out an album as non-commercial as this one.
Maybe that’s the right instinct. As much as I admire Eilish’s album, I don’t think I’ll be playing it through very often. I will return to some of the songs, including flirty first single ‘Lunch’ and today’s SOTD — ‘Birds of a Feather’ — which has a beautiful pop airiness I haven’t heard from here before.
This album might not sell as well as Eilish’s previous releases, but it might just win her a few more Grammys. The critical raves are already piling up. This is an album that deepens and broadens one of the most impressive and unique careers in popular music.
I can’t wait to see what she does when she’s 23.
I want you to stay
‘Til I’m in the grave
‘Til I rot away, dead and buried
‘Til I’m in the casket you carry
If you go, I’m goin’ too, uh
‘Cause it was always you (Alright)
And if I’m turnin’ blue, please don’t save me
Nothin’ left to lose without my baby
[Refrain]
Birds of a feather, we should stick together, I know
I said I’d never think I wasn’t better alone
Can’t change the weather, might not be forever
But if it’s forever, it’s even better
[Pre-Chorus]
And I don’t know what I’m cryin’ for
I don’t think I could love you more
It might not be long, but baby, I
[Chorus]
I’ll love you ’til the day that I die
‘Til the day that I die
‘Til the light leaves my eyes
‘Til the day that I die
[Verse 2]
I want you to see, hmm
How you look to me, hmm
You wouldn’t believe if I told ya
You would keep the compliments I throw ya
But you’re so full of shit, uh
Tell me it’s a bit, oh
Say you don’t see it, your mind’s polluted
Say you wanna quit, don’t be stupid
[Pre-Chorus]
And I don’t know what I’m cryin’ for
I don’t think I could love you more
Might not be long, but baby, I
Don’t wanna say goodbye
[Chorus]
Birds of a feather, we should stick together, I know (‘Til the day that I die)
I said I’d never think I wasn’t better alone (‘Til the light leaves my eyes)
Can’t change the weather, might not be forever (‘Til the day that I die)
But if it’s forever, it’s even better
[Post-Chorus]
I knew you in another life
You had that same look in your eyes
I love you, don’t act so surprised
Meet Me In Montauk 
Couldn’t resist another dig at Taylor Swift?🤪
For what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure Taylor is recording whatever the hell she wants nowadays. The fact that Tortured Poets is a commercial success is due to Taylor’s singular stratospheric popularity and perhaps her marketing savvy. The songs themselves on the album, however, much like those on Folklore and Evermore, could hardly be classified as commercial. Frankly, if Taylor released a 30 track album of Gregorian chants, it would still sell like hot cakes (especially if she released alternate versions in the weeks that followed😉).
You’re more protective of Taylor Swift than Travis Kelce! 😀
Neither Travis nor Taylor needs Dana’s protection ;p
I wasn’t sure the best way to word that!
You’re more protective than Travis Kelce of Taylor Swift?
I really like her voice 🙂
I’m a really big fan of this album – I think it’s some of Billie and Finneas’ best work as a duo. There’s so many cool threads and callbacks from song to song. The production is experimental at times, but never in an annoying or repetitive way. And Billie sounds incredible – her vocals keep getting stronger.
I hope Cowboy Carter claims its Grammy this year; but this would certainly be a close runner up in my book.