Album Review: "Happier Than Ever" by Billie Eilish (9/10)

Interscope Records

Producer: Finneas

Eilish’s sophomore album is an honest reflection of her evolution—the public scrutiny, the culmination of dreams, and the bittersweet acceptance of a new normal. Most tracks resemble a diary entry, made more vulnerable by Eilish’s whispered vocals. As a direct address to critics, “Not My Responsibility” is powerful in its sincerity, yet her vocal delivery is fragile and drained. It’s this same paradox which encapsulates the album as a whole. While the title suggests happiness, the stripped-back jazz tone evokes melancholy. Fans will appreciate her candor, but the weight of the ballads are a heavy load for pop music to carry.