Introduction
The current assignment focuses on Billie Eilish’s most famous album. This artist was born in 2001 and gained worldwide fame by the time they were 18. Eilish grew up in Los Angeles, and this diverse and competitive environment shaped her personality and musical preferences (Anderson, 2019). In particular, her music perfectly combines elements of electropop, pop, and multiple genres from other movements.
Eilish is also distinctive because her songs frequently explore dark themes and mental health issues, while her visual aesthetic contributes to a mysterious image. All these characteristic features are found in When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, while “Bad Guy” is its most popular part. I want to analyze this artist and this very song because I liked it, and millions of people from all over the world simultaneously acknowledged this composition.
Album Evaluation
To begin with, I would like to offer my overall expression of the album. I like it, and a few specific arguments can justify my opinion. First, the album flows because it is a large and connected project. As Arora (2020) states, Eilish uses a circular narrative in which the protagonist “undergoes dramatic dispositional and moral transformation across several impressionistic dreams” (para. 2). Second, I find the album attractive because it includes dressed-down avant-pop, which sounds hyper-modern and classic simultaneously (Exposito, 2019).
Third, the album impressed me due to its themes and atmosphere. Eilish was inspired by night terrors and lucid dreams when she created the songs (Anderson, 2019). Additional research demonstrates that Eilish’s music is sad because she was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome and has suffered from depression since her childhood (Biography, 2021). Thus, this environment had a profound impact on Billie Eilish, both personally and as a musician. In any case, the artist managed to create an atmosphere in her songs that was attractive and suitable for me.
Now, it is reasonable to focus on “Bad Guy” since it is the most famous and successful song from the selected album. The composition became popular internationally because it combined specific features that will be discussed below. First, a minimalist approach with sparse instrumentation immediately catches listeners’ attention. In particular, the bassline, subtle synths, and electronic beats make the song recognizable and peculiar.
Second, the chorus establishes a playful rhythm that is combined with Eilish’s vocals to create a sound that is both casual and captivating. Third, since the artist’s vocals are frequently layered, the song impresses with depth and richness, which correspondingly promotes complex harmonies. Fourth, “Bad Guy” is peculiar because it includes moments where Eilish’s voice is pitch-shifted to present different tonal qualities, as well as parts where more energetic and dynamic sections follow quieter and subdued ones.
Finally, the song’s lyrics are captivating and thought-provoking because Eilish ridicules the way people present themselves (Krol, 2019). All these features demonstrate why millions of people, including me, admired Eilish’s album and songs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have no doubts about stating that this album is excellent, as judged by my own criteria. That is why I would assign Four Stars to this creation by Billie Eilish. While the album is a large story with a central theme, each song is a valuable and separate piece of art. “Bad Guy” is the most popular song from When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, and multiple musical characteristics justify this statement.
References
Anderson, S. (2019). When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Pitchfork.
Arora, R. (2020). Decoding the narrative of Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Vol. 1 Brooklyn.
Biography. (2021). Billie Eilish.
Exposito, S. (2019). Review: Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? is noir pop with bite. Rolling Stone.
Krol, C. (2019). Billie Eilish explains what Bad Guy is about. NME.