Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Reading Time: <5 mins
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Anyone who has ever heard Fiona Apple will definitely tell you that she is one of the most unapologetic, blunt, and honest singers rock and pop music has ever seen. It has always been a trait that the mainstream music media has found to be her "specialty," whether it is her unfiltered attitude towards the media or the brutal songwriting in her music.
Following a highly praised debut album named Tidal, released in 1996, it was very evident how much her personality shines throughout the record and how it immediately grabs you. When the Pawn... is a case where Fiona Apple takes those characteristics that she is very well known for and turns them up to the max while still displaying an immense lush quality in the sonic side of the music.
On The Bound kicks off the album with a bang. Immediately, you can hear the prominence of the piano on this track; it just hits you like a truck. Fiona Apple discusses her struggles with dealing with a happy and healthy emotional life as she acknowledges that she always fishes out for the worst aspects of her life, declaring that pessimism might be the right choice for her. She shines big time on the chorus as her vocals hold so much power and emotion, it is hard to ignore. You can't really ask for a better intro.
A big thing that I appreciate lots about this album is the prominence and power the choruses hold within each individual song. To Your Love is a great example of this. Literally every single time the chorus is sung, it becomes more emotionally driven, aggressive, and passionate. Incredible horns as well on the track, and I love the take she delivers on refusing to accept the love from someone who loves her.
Limp is one of my favorite tracks sonically. I absolutely am head over heels for that instrumental breakdown towards that 2nd half of that track. I also believe this track is her most emotionally driven track, and it is not hard to understand why when looking at the songwriting, which explores the dynamic of a toxic relationship where she is sick of her significant other gaslighting her.
If there is one thing that is apparent time and time again throughout this album, it is the significance of the piano. Every track utilizes the piano as a foundation, and Love Ridden is no different. I would go as far as to say that the use of the piano is more significant here than anywhere else on the album. It is truly an incredible ballad about the stages that a relationship takes as it is coming to an end.
Paper Bag was the big hit off this album, and rightfully so. The songwriting is incredible and very clever throughout, utilizing the metaphor of a paper bag to show how having unrealistic expectations and hope can ultimately lead you to disappointment if those standards are not met. I love the progression and how the song fills up sonically in a gradual sense.
A Mistake probably features some of my favorite production on the album. I love the use of guitar throughout the song, and I think it just adds so much flavor to the song. Fiona Apple discusses on this track her desire to make the "mistake" of putting herself first instead of everyone else, but she ultimately can't get herself to do that. It is everything that you could hope for on a Fiona Apple song.
Fast as You Can is an incredible ride; the fast-paced start sends a sense of urgency and anxiety as she navigates the ongoing struggle of negotiating the power balance in her relationship. I love how the track switches abruptly towards the middle of the track to a slower pace, then it builds right back into the fast-paced instrumental in the beginning.
The Way Things Are features some of my favorite vocals. It is incredible to see the amount of versatility that is displayed throughout this album and the amount of weight and power that Fiona Apple's voice holds. Again, I love the implementation of guitar throughout this song. I just think it adds so much.
If there was one song that I would introduce to someone who has never heard Fiona Apple before, it would be Get Gone. Get Gone discusses the moment of realization that Fiona Apple encounters, where she discovers that her current relationship is not benefiting her, but rather is damaging her due to the prominence of toxicity in the relationship. It is an incredible showing of the power her voice and lyrics hold, and I can never get enough from listening to this.
The closer offers a soft landing sonically, but the lyrics still hold some weight to them as I Know discusses the situation of an affair with an already committed significant other. It is probably the closest thing to a "love song" that this album has to offer, yet the classic traits of doubt, skepticism, and resistance are still very prominent. Nevertheless, a great ending to an incredible album.
The Verdict:
An absolute display of excellence on all fronts is the only way I could truly describe this album. There are not many albums out there that can offer an immense amount of quality in the production, vocals, and melodies without sacrificing an ounce of quality in the songwriting and lyrics department, but I can definitely affirm that this is one of those albums, and as a result, this album is a perfect 10/10
Standout Tracks:
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