schnetzka
2x Platinum Member
The album that never ends... I mean 'THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY' out now!
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Post by schnetzka on Jul 30, 2021 7:58:16 GMT -5
"Oxytocin" and "Happier Than Ever" are my two favorite songs from the album. Album overall doesn't have much replay value. Definitely prefer her first album.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2021 8:23:19 GMT -5
The title track is the clear standout for me. I love the fuzziness. Nothing here matches the urgency of 'bad guy', which immediately sprung out on my first listen of her first album, but generally this album is very consistent. I'm still not a fan of 'my future' or 'therefore i am', and I wish 'Everything I Wanted', her best song, was included on the album, but I'm not sure where it would've flowed well.
Other standouts are 'Oxytocin', 'NDA', 'GOLDWING', and 'Your Power', which I wish she did more in the vein of. 'I Didn't Change My Number', 'Everybody Dies', aswell as the two aforementioned singles are the only misses for me. The former devolves into a rather generic trap beat, though I found it intriguing at first. 'Everybody Dies' comes across as a bit too corny and the mixing makes her vocal mannerisms come off as grating.
Solid album overall, not as good as her first two projects (EP included), but better than the singles initially suggested.
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ethanhunt
Gold Member
Joined: August 2014
Posts: 681
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Post by ethanhunt on Jul 30, 2021 8:41:28 GMT -5
I think on a sonic level this just sounds so much more appealing to me than the first album. (Which I thought was a good but kinda messy album)
Male Fantasy is so gorgeous omg
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Koochie
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Post by Koochie on Jul 30, 2021 10:03:16 GMT -5
“Oxytocin”…. she had NO right
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thezatch
Platinum Member
Joined: August 2015
Posts: 1,752
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Post by thezatch on Jul 30, 2021 14:09:47 GMT -5
A little too snoozey on first and second listen but I’ll use “Oxy”, the title track, “NDA” and “Therefore I Am” until the inevitable re-release just in time for the holiday season.
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Ty
Diamond Member
good vibes and R&B
Joined: March 2009
Posts: 12,795
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Post by Ty on Jul 30, 2021 15:44:36 GMT -5
Therefore I Am Oxytocin I Didn't Change My Number Billie Bossa Nova NDA GOLDWING Happier Than Ever OverHeated
I don't like the vocal production which feels like she's singing directly to my ear via a iPhone speaker. But this is a strong album, and unlike her debut, very cohesive. I don't think there's any monster hit in here like "Bad Guy", but she did what needs to be done to keep her core fans fed.
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wyckyd
Platinum Member
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Post by wyckyd on Jul 30, 2021 16:45:43 GMT -5
from the first couple of listens, I really like HTE but I don't love it like I loved WWAFA,WDWG?. My personal favs are Oxytocin, Not My Responsibility/OverHeated, NDA and Happier Than Ever.
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Post by adamalterlago on Jul 30, 2021 17:01:43 GMT -5
This album is excellent. The growth…this is my summer night, roll a joint by myself album. And it’s released on my bday. She’s the only young pop artist doing it right IMO. I love an album w layers to unpack and she delivered. This def isn’t a get it one time through album, it deserves multiple listens.
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Hefty Hanna
Diamond Member
a prettier jesus
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Posts: 20,342
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Post by Hefty Hanna on Jul 30, 2021 21:39:51 GMT -5
I didn't really enjoy this on first listen, but I definitely enjoyed it more on the second listen. Most of it isn't as wonderful as some of the stuff on her first EP/debut, but there are certain songs that are really great.
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NeRD
Diamond Member
RIHANNA NAVY
Joined: March 2010
Posts: 15,058
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Post by NeRD on Jul 31, 2021 7:30:44 GMT -5
Debuts with 35 million streams for the album first day.
Absolutely horrible numbers.
EDIT: Are we sure these numbers a real?
For context...
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Choco
Diamond Member
lavender haze
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My Charts
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Post by Choco on Jul 31, 2021 9:01:22 GMT -5
If you see the singles' performance it's no wonder the numbers are lower than her previous album. It's not a disaster either, considering it doesn't feel like it has many more hits on it. And physicals will probably put her close to 300k.
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Koochie
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Post by Koochie on Jul 31, 2021 11:11:31 GMT -5
“Absolutely horrible numbers”
*only 2 million away from the top 10*
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taylor
Diamond Member
Pulse’s #1 Conan Stan
Best Country Poster 2023 and 2x Woman of the Year!!!
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Post by taylor on Jul 31, 2021 11:19:07 GMT -5
Took a drive around the old county roads last night and put this album in the car and nearly crashed at least 25 times. Happier Than Ever is such a stunner from beginning to end. I really am floored. It's better than her debut imo, and by lightyears. The lyricism is spot on and the production is right up my alley, especially such songs as "Male Fantasy" (which I had been intrigued about and waiting for since the tracklist was released). Billie's vocals are also phenomenal here. A+ record through and through, and I see Grammy nominations, and a win for AOTY if the Recording Academy avoids awarding evermore. It would be deserved, because this is easily among the best releases of 2021.
I gave it a second listen on my record player this morning and was floored at how pristine it sounds on vinyl...this album feels and sounds like it was made for turntables. It was an ethereal experience.
"Getting Older" hit me hard and made me cry and then swerved right into "I Didn't Change My Number" without warning and made my jaw drop to the floor. "Oxytocin" is a certified banger, "Not My Responsibility" was a powerful spoken word song, "Everyone Dies" also hit me hard and made me cry, "Your Power" is still one of my absolute favorites, "Male Fantasy" like I just said did not let me down and was a beautiful country song, and don't you dare even get me started on the title track. What the F**K is this second half of that song?!?! She had NO right! I'd like an entire album of THAT. That s**t would end careers.
My Top 5 based on first impressions:
1. Male Fantasy 2. the title track 3. Your Power 4. Everybody Dies 5. Oxytocin
Also can Pulse not delve into stan Twitter mentality? 35m first day is literally on the cusp of the Top 10 best first days of ALL TIME. "Absolutely horrible numbers" my aching ass. She has not dropped off and she's not going anywhere lol
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Koochie
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Post by Koochie on Jul 31, 2021 11:59:55 GMT -5
I definitely agree with the sentiment that this album is one that demands a few listens and needs to simmer a little, but I’m not sure that works for it in this kind of market. It still surprises me how the label lets her put some of these sounds on her records and get away with it.
I think this is way, way better than her debut but then I thought that was a self-indulgent mess with a handful of strong standouts. This feels more polished. Still self-indulgent but it’s not so much her trying to sound mature as it is her actually maturing as a writer.
Only a few songs really work outside of the record as stand-alone tracks and a few songs should’ve been cut entirely (“Therefore I Am” is still shit) but I’ll give it up, she sold me on this one.
I cannot tell you how obsessed I am with “Oxytocin” though, that bears repeating.
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iHype.
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2014
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Post by iHype. on Jul 31, 2021 12:40:00 GMT -5
As far as I'm concerned this album is pretty nice. It's a great follow-up to a debut that was already going to be very difficult to top.
Lots of highlights and I was pleasantly surprised at how many nice songs there were that hadn't been released. Usually when there's so many songs released pre-album those are the best and it kinda makes the album anti-climatic.
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Wave.
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Look...
Positive Vibes🙏🏾❤
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Post by Wave. on Jul 31, 2021 16:26:43 GMT -5
Nice numbers!
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circadian
4x Platinum Member
alone and undisturbed
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Post by circadian on Jul 31, 2021 16:38:36 GMT -5
OmG sHe'S dOnE!!!1!!! CaReeR iS oVeRrRr!!!!!!1!!
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Wave.
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Look...
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Post by Wave. on Jul 31, 2021 17:34:14 GMT -5
OmG sHe'S dOnE!!!1!!! CaReeR iS oVeRrRr!!!!!!1!! Nasty flop.
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Mike
Diamond Member
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 15,895
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Post by Mike on Jul 31, 2021 19:01:31 GMT -5
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Post by areyoureadytojump on Jul 31, 2021 20:51:15 GMT -5
hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=327586&title=NEW-RELEASES%253A-BILLIE%2527S-BACKSaturday, July 31, 2021 NEW RELEASES: BILLIE'S BACKDarkroom/Interscope's Billie Eilish will see her sophomore release, Happier Than Ever, land atop the HITS Top 50 next Friday. The album is projected to do 200-225k. Her previous full-length, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, opened with 313k in April 2019. Of that total, nearly a third came from now-disallowed ticket and D2C bundles.Physical sales will make up about 50% of Happier's first-week total thanks largely to vinyl. Major retailers are stocking exclusive versions in colors like sage green, pale yellow and opaque sienna. Happier’s pre-street ATD is just over 400k.Billie Eilish (Darkroom/Interscope): 200-225k total activity, 130-140k albumsPrince (Legacy): 45-50k, 43-47k
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Ty
Diamond Member
good vibes and R&B
Joined: March 2009
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Post by Ty on Jul 31, 2021 20:55:41 GMT -5
The title track is also #6 on global chart.
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alexandria2001
New Member
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Posts: 173
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Post by alexandria2001 on Jul 31, 2021 22:19:15 GMT -5
Here are my personal opinions:
Getting Older: I like that nice, interesting sound throughout. It captures the "I'm dying inside" vibe the lyrics suggest exists to some extent.
I Didn't Change My Number: The beat though. 2000s AND fresh.
Billie Bossa Nova: This is really chill, even though the lyrics depict something less chill. It sounds old and modern at the same time too.
My Future: Always liked this song's optimistic message.
Oxytocin: The beat, bass, electro-synths here and there are all great in this song.
GOLDWING: This song has good harmonies, along with a good beat/harmony chop. I'm not absolutely into this though, but I don't dislike it.
Lost Cause: I like the message but it could've been expressed better. Though Therefore I Am exists.
Halley's Comet: I love a good Billie ballad, with the dreary instrumental and gloomy lyrics. The switch up near the end is amazing too. It gives me great Porcelain vibes.
Not My Responsibility: Great message about how no one realistically has to feel responsible for anyone's feelings or opinions. People's feelings/opinions are entirely their own doing (taking ideas they came up with seriously,) therefore only their own responsibility.
OverHeated: I love the old trap/future beat in this song. Also there's gotta be some Childish Gambino influence too, unless it's a coincidence. It's probably the lyrics about how she can't be deleted, therefore she's over heated. This song exists because the internet. That's why it's giving me that energy. But yeah, it's Billie expressing Billie here, and I like it.
Everybody Dies: Her death songs are always interesting. This sounds like it would (should) be in a movie.
Your Power: Another good message, this time simply telling those in power not to use their power for sinister purposes. Enough said.
NDA: This is indie Billie. Though it's interesting, it's not something I'd be obsessed with.
Therefore I Am: Billie takes aim at those who think they're truly righteous, but are living in a fantasy world led by their own egos, misconceptions, misinformed lifestyle, feelings of entitlement, and self righteousness. They're douchebags in reality.
Happier Than Ever: I like the lyrics all throughout. She's not afraid to just let it all out. This gives a kind of ending hurrah energy I haven't personally felt from a song since Kanye's Ghost Town. Ghost Town and the song Happier Than Ever are very different lyrically, but their energy is similar in a way, production wise. I like that energy. The rock influences are golden, the lyrics are golden edge, the fact it's perfectly calm/dreary, then it transitions into hardcore/dreary, is very very good. Billie mentioned how albums shouldn't end on an angry note, so I get why this song would be the second to last song on the album rather than the last.
Male Fantasy: The melody is so sweet sounding. This'll be somewhat of a favourite for me.
RIP my personal weekly charts.
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Au$tin
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Pop Culture Guru
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Post by Au$tin on Aug 1, 2021 4:10:22 GMT -5
Lordt WHO green lit that transition from "Getting Older" to "I Didn't Change My Number"? Fucking demonic pig about gave me a heart attack!
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Hefty Hanna
Diamond Member
a prettier jesus
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Posts: 20,342
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Post by Hefty Hanna on Aug 1, 2021 7:53:37 GMT -5
‘Male Fantasy’ is really good. A bit Bon Iver circa late 00s sounding.
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Enigma.
Diamond Member
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Post by Enigma. on Aug 1, 2021 8:22:12 GMT -5
Happier Than Ever (the song) climbs to #3 on Spotify and is still #3 on AM. A hit! And one of the best songs this year.
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suzcruz7
Gold Member
Joined: January 2021
Posts: 535
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Post by suzcruz7 on Aug 1, 2021 9:16:14 GMT -5
I listened to this for the first time last night and I love love love loved it. Maybe not as much as the debut but I'm not disappointed at all.
Favorites from the new songs are I Didn't Change My Number, Billie Bossa Nova, Oxytocin, Goldwing, OverHeated, Happier Than Ever, and Male Fantasy. It's just a great listening experience as an album as well. That NDA - TIA transition >>>>>>
Your Power also really hit me for the first time listening to the album, and Lost Cause gets better and better for me. My Future is also still pure magic.
This is at least my second favorite album of the year so far. And god PLEASE let the title track turn into a hit.
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HEADOFTHEPACK
5x Platinum Member
Joined: November 2008
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Post by HEADOFTHEPACK on Aug 1, 2021 11:56:07 GMT -5
I've let this sit with me for a bit and I think it's great. Excellent sequencing/transitions. It could be a little shorter (honestly, I don't care much for Your Power/Lost Cause), but it's solid. I may end up preferring it to her debut, there's something about it.
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irice22
9x Platinum Member
listening to Kesha. Always.
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Post by irice22 on Aug 1, 2021 15:01:09 GMT -5
The numbers are great, but it does feel a little underwhelming (even if a bit expected) for Stream Queen Billie.
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spiritboy
3x Platinum Member
Joined: April 2008
Posts: 3,319
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Post by spiritboy on Aug 1, 2021 15:08:59 GMT -5
I don't think there's anything underwhelming in those numbers, she doesn't have big hits, no touring or other bundles allowed, she had the novelty of being a new album when she debuted. Even if she declined, they are pretty healthy numbers so far.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Aug 1, 2021 18:42:20 GMT -5
MILES ahead of her debut. It's not even a competition. The singles/album teasers were...curious choices, but at least they let people know we were getting a different vibe. Chill suits her, turn-up ravers suit her, there's nothing Billie and that murmuring throat can't do! Also, with the critical acclaim outpacing her overpraised debut, it wouldn't surprise me if she gets another AOTY nomination. Just ace. Fuck sales, streams, whatever. Melodrama got the shaft everywhere but in the hearts of fans and critics, so I couldn't care less about how "well" this does.
What is this Rich Bitch Realness. LOVE this look for Billie. She still keeps personality in spades, but doesn't resort to being bratty.
Everybody Dies (the sighing really does it for me and the underwater feel. absolutely gorgeous. also, my favorite vocal performance of hers to date.) OverHeated (yup. Finneas does peak-era Timbaland almost better than the man himself, which is a feat.) Lost Cause (whew, this KNOCKS on the album.) I Didn't Change My Number My Future (Pretty sure I only gave this a spin when it dropped because it was Billie, but what a groove. I love when the beat comes in, but even before that, it's...luxurious. Easily one of my favorite songs of hers, especially in context of the album.) Goldwing (even this sounds more Nelly Furtado Loose-era than Oxy does, so again, critics are lazy. What a JAM though.) Oxycontin (what I imagine gays who do meth listen to, but it sounds great. that said, not sure why critics are referencing Timbaland on THIS song, when they should be referencing OverHeated instead. but, whatever, it serves Matrix soundtrack realness and I dig it!) Happier Than Ever (I think Olivia does this better, but OK.) Therefore I Am Your Power Halley's Comet Billie Bossa Nova Getting Older Male Fantasy NDA Not My Responsibility
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