BECOMING a global pop star while in her teens was traumatic for Billie Eilish. Dressed in baggy clothes and singing a goth-brand of pop, she was "the bad guy" who didn't follow convention.
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Album No.2 Happier Than Ever (a sarcastic title, if ever there was one) addresses her trauma of being used and abused by the music industry, the media, fans (including stalkers) and lovers (who she made sign non-disclosure agreements).
Compared to her debut When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? there's less trap and more jazz and balladry. There's less weirdness, and more fragility. On Getting Older, Eilish sings "Things I once enjoyed/ Just keep me employed now". Eilish is weary beyond her 19 years, but she's a genius, too.
4 stars
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
