Happier Than Ever is Billie Eilish’s sophomore LP, released on July 30, 2021. Since the outburst of her career, the media has paid more attention to her clothes rather than her talent. On this record, she addresses it all and fires back.

As mentioned in Willow’s post, the parent’s trajectory can influence the path to pursue something akin. And that is what happened to Billie Eilish O’Connell with her mother and father being an actress and a musician, respectively.

Whereas some attend school, she was homeschooled, which sparked creative freedom in some way. Hence, during her infant years, she became involved with anything artistically. Whether it was playing an instrument or attending acting auditions.

Other essential members of the family are the siblings. Luckily for Billie, she wasn’t alone on the journey of becoming a singer. Her older brother, FINNEAS, was leading the way.

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In 2015, he had written and produced the song “Ocean Eyes.” Nevertheless, he gave it to his younger sister for an assignment and they uploaded it to Soundcloud. Needless to say, it blew up. Marking the birth of her career.

Ever since then, the relatives began collaborating. Hence, in 2017, her debut EP “don’t smile at me” (produced by FINNEAS) arrived, including “bellyache.”

Although the EP wasn’t a commercial success, it put her on the radar as an artist to watch. Throughout the next year, she finished recording what would become her next endeavor.

On March 29, 2019, her full-length LP, “When Do We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (prod. by FINNEAS), hit online streaming services. If “Ocean Eyes” was the before part of her career, this album was the after.

A dark-themed record, which debuted atop the charts and its singles (e.g., “You Should See Me in a Crown,” “Bury a Friend,” and “Bad Guy“) catapulted her to new heights.

Unfortunately, with fame comes along critics. Instead of focusing on the music, the media began body-shaming a then 18-year-old.

However, that did not stop her from recording. Throughout 2020, she and her sibling locked in his studio to record 16 new tracks for her sophomore, “Happier Than Ever” (prod. by FINNEAS).

Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever

The opening track, “Getting Older” has a dark tone similar to her previous LP. Nevertheless, the beat cuts short before “I Didn’t Change My Number” proceeds with an electro-pop.

On “Billie Bossa Nova” and “Your Power,” FINNEAS knocks it out of the park with guitar strings lingering in the background. Furthermore, “Lost Cause” brings the summer vibes. Also, the visual is a “fuck you” to the critics.

“If I wear what is comfortable, I am not a woman.
If I shed the layers, I am a slut.”

-Billie Eilish, Not My Responsibility (2021)

“OverHeated” brings a fast-paced tempo rarely heard in her music. “Happier Than Ever” and “Male Fantasy” bring closure to a happy phase in Billie’s life.

In conclusion, record companies tend to team up producers with singers expecting to create a hit duo, in most cases being inorganic. However, for the siblings, it has happened organically.

With both still in their teenage years, we will wait for what the future holds for them. Like her brother, she also is a Grammy Winner.

Happy birthday, FINNEAS! Watch and stream Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” on its 1st anniversary.

1. “Lost Cause” music video by Billie Eilish. Directed by Billie Eilish (Darkroom, Interscope, 2021). ↩︎
2. “Happier Than Ever” album by Billie Eilish. Cover artwork by Kelia Anne MacCluskey (Darkroom, Interscope, 2021). ↩︎

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