Entertainment

Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever (2021)

Taking the JAR out of the 90s cupboard to an artist that wasn’t even born in the 90s! Billie Eilish’s new album Happier Than Ever is up for judgment!

Published

4 years ago

August 28, 2021

Andrew Balaz

Taking the JAR out of the 90s cupboard to an artist that wasn’t even born in the 90s! Billie Eilish’s new album Happier Than Ever is up for judgment!

Massive deviation in the timeline! Wait, wrong gimmick, wrong article. Either way, Billie Eilish’s newest album seems to be getting some interesting buzz. To be fair, I didn’t know who she was until I saw her on Hot Ones in 2019. Then I went back and heard Ocean Eyes and Bellyache, and I had to admit the girl (she was like 17 at the time she did the Hot Ones episode, hence why I say girl) had talent. Not just one of those factory produced pop stars that we get so many of.

Now her first studio album, especially Bad Guy, was a pop smash hit; so Billie was made. The thing that brings the ruckus when it comes to this album though, is it’s a giant tonal shift. Granted, the world is in a much different position now as opposed to a few years ago. So let’s take a look at the new album Happier Than Ever.

Artist: Billie Eilish
Album: Happier Than Ever (2021)
Record Label: Darkroom – Interscope

We kick off with a very somber and muted Getting Older which sounds like a song off of Bo Burnham’s Inside. I really think the line of “Things I once enjoyed, just keep me employed” is a very relatable line for many people. I also really appreciate the juxtaposition between the title of the album and the entire feeling of this first song. It’s like being in on a very sarcastic joke. I Didn’t Change My Number raises the tempo a little using keyboard effects and a drumbeat that keeps the song bouncing. It definitely gets across the mocking nature of the break up song.

Okay I appreciate the words used, Billie Bossa Nova, has a nice jazz club swing to it. Plus I just like someone other than the Ninja Turtles using Bossa Nova. The song though does have a very sexy rhythm with lyrics that compliment that about a fast passionate meeting/night, something sudden but worthwhile. These first three songs tie together with a little bit of the overall lyrical tone staying tempered, but the emotions are a little scattered. My Future really sounds like a Disney song. Musically it’s very stripped down and sparse, Billie layers her vocals with her brother Finneas and there’s only a very light strum early on before the drumbeat and picks up the tempo. The lyrics seem to be moving on from someone, because she’s in love with her future, so it’s really clever on wording about focusing on herself.

Oxytocin is clever because I was pretty sure most of Billie’s generation just likes to refer to things as “Dopamine”. Oxytocin seems to be a song about using someone just for personal pleasure. The lyrics urge them that they should run away, but she needs them for the oxytocin. Interesting, especially since this is one of those songs that get a faster club beat. I had to double check I was listening to the same album, Goldwing, starts out…like a Roman Catholic hymn. After the hymn fades out like a fever dream, we get a pretty nice electro beat but lyrically the song still dances around Gold-Winged Angels, sacred things staying away from darkness. So this almost feels like a warning from Billie to others to not get involved in a dark industry if you still have your purity.

Lost Cause goes back to the ex-partner lyrics. A small occasional drum kick and a funky but light bassline keep the song bopping along. But song does just enough to help the story of the lyrics along, probably getting across how much of a lost cause the relationship was and even reminiscing on it isn’t much. Halley’s Comet is beautiful. It’s such a quiet love song, where Billie sounds exasperated. Almost like the previous snarky songs have been trying to fight against admitting she’s fallen in love. It’s got almost a stripped down like Beach Boys ballad vibe (mostly the guitar tone). But it’s really sweet about a long distance relationship where she’s falling in love, but the line of “Halley’s Comet comes around more than I do” is cute, sad, but it also really gets across how much she’s falling for this person. Simple yet smart song.

Not My Responsibility is more of a spoken interlude, reminds me of something Prince would do. Talking about people judging her appearance, her music, her figure without knowing anything. The last few lines “Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me Not my responsibility?” is a very nice way to tell haters to…get bent, shall we say. OverHeated keeps that stripped down, almost electro sound of the album going. Lyrically it takes the stance of her reaction to when people wanted to know what her figure looked like when she wore all the baggy clothes, and then thought she was just part of the trend. Punctuating the verses getting across that she looks like she does naturally and she’s not plastic, is a nice jab at the industry and perceptions of beauty; without being overtly nasty.

Everybody Dies is not Lance Archer’s new theme song. Or well…if it was…it would be more like Lance Archer in Dreamland. It’s a dreamy jazz number just reflecting on death, seemingly missing someone in particular and waxing poetic about when it might be her time. Nothing profound, just really nice sounding. Your Power lyrically exposes a concept that a lot of people can relate to, especially young women; when it comes to someone exploiting them by using their power or manipulation tactics. Who knows if it’s directed at anything in particular, but putting it into words might help people avoid or get out of a similar situation.

NDA has more of a pop single house beat and continues to stay in most of the vein of break ups and getting older. I do like how she brings a few of the other lyrics from previous songs into this, but I really appreciate the concept of making someone sign an NDA after a breakup. The concept of the song just amuses me. Therefore I Am has a fun enough beat, but the lyrics just dismiss this person who’s basically just clout chasing. The song paints a picture of someone who name drops and acts like they’re cool just to elevate themselves, but Billie’s prospective is not knowing who the hell this person is. This was a funny little song, which I think the album needed to not just be a giant ball of depression.

Now we get to the title track Happier Than Ever, and it’s simple acoustic strumming that reminds me almost of I’m a Lonely Little Petunia, with the way the guitar is strumming and interspersed through the verses. The second verse actually hits in like Barenaked Ladies, where it has an Indie Rock vibe and then explodes into this choral belt for most of the rest of the song. A ton of different and very cool elements change the song from somber, to fed up and it’s really awesome. Also the title isn’t so much ironic, as it is, she’s happier than ever, when she’s away from who she’s sick of. So it’s just a tonal thing.

Male Fantasy is an interesting song. Personally I can’t tell if she’s speaking to a person or the concept itself, but I suppose it helps to put into light how women think regarding this. Seemingly frustrated over it, but still starving themselves or doing things to satisfy the “male gaze”. Lines about getting over you, or just pretending or trying to convince themselves they hate you; that could be at a person, society, concepts, it definitely leaves a lot to think about. Plus it ties in nicely with a few of the other songs, so I really think this is the perfect song to end the album on.

So this is not a quirky album with trap beats and club bangers, but it’s very intelligent. From what I’ve covered across a few genres, a lot of the musical tones out of the pandemic are dark, or sad, but Billie basically recorded a diary. The bare and raw aspect to a lot of the songs, the lyrics, and the subjects are a little more poignant with how she just laid it all out there.

Do I think some of the more uptempo songs were the record company needing singles? Yes. So that hurts the overall fluidity of the album, pop industry influence aside; there is more than enough merit in the real songs to give this album some support. Smart, heartfelt, vulnerable and witty. Not something you’ll clean the house to, but if you need some cathartic commiseration music…it doesn’t get much better than this!

Final Judgment: 8.25/10

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Entertainment

Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)

June will be electric!

Published

2 days ago

May 9, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Prepare for the most electrifying even of the HPW calendar!

While the stage is set for Blood & Thunder 4 and the HPW World Trios Championships, HPW must also address the return of KAGE!

Thundra Plateau is ready.

Wrestling is Life, but life has its stormy weather. The rain is going to be hot in June, but will the reign continue through the Summer? The Dark Forces may have failed to take the Undisputed Triforce World Championship from Zelda, but they still have the World Trios Championships. Harlequin, Lupay & Glutko will step inside the double ring, double cage to defend their gold. On one side, Arrow Club’s special combination of Fin Balure, Torbevito & Bad Croc Scaly. On the other, a new combination of its own in Cia, Lana & Midna.

Speaking of Cia, Lana & Midna…

The three of them are together, dressed in workout attire, in what appears to be a dance studio. This is a collaboration stream for Midna and Lana as they’re both big presences on the internet, aka “influencers.” Lana and Midna wave and say hi, and they give introductions, including Cia, who is reluctant to be standing there. Cia doesn’t know why they need to do this. Lana says they have to improve their teamwork. They may have won against Los Taros Locos, but it was really sketchy there for a second. Midna adds that doing a dance routine together is great for their timing and coordination.

Cia says she didn’t mean that, she meant having to stream it! Oh, well obviously, combining Midna’s viewing audience with Lana’s, and HPW’s overall, this makes huge numbers! So? And huge money…! Cia raises her eyebrow and says, “Oh really?” The trio sets up, and Lana says obviously they first have to learn the steps. Midna brings up, “Wait, what song are we dancing to?” Oh, good point. Lana was thinking something from Lulu. Cia asks, “Lulu? From the Indigo-Go’s?” Midna says Lulu’s got a great solo album. Lana agrees! That’s so great that they like the same music. Cia isn’t as familiar with her solo stuff, so she’ll rely on them for this.

Lana suggests they go with Energetic Me. For one, it has the most energy, duh. And it still has a dance vibe, which is the whole point. Midna says she might’ve gone with Royal Discotheque or Ten Outta Ten, but she sees Lana’s point. Lana shows them the dance moves she has in mind. Left arm up, bent at the elbow, and the hand up against the side of the chest. Then they switch so the right arm goes up to mirror that position while the left hand goes back to the hip. Maybe add a little hip pop as that happens. Do that a couple times, and then turn to the right. This puts the left hand on the back of the hip, right hand on the back of the neck for a sexy pose.

Then you turn to flip it the other way, then do a 360 with a big neck whipping, hair flipping move. Then finish with feet apart and double V’s up by the eyes, maybe with a wink. Cia says, “Yeah, okay…” while Midna says, “I like it!” Midna says she’ll set up in the middle. Cia asks why Midna is in the middle, and Midna says it’s symmetry. She’s the tallest, Cia and Lana are about the same, it makes sense. Yeah, but it also means Midna is the center of attention. Well, that’s just coincidental. Lana says it doesn’t matter, the point is them doing it all in synch. Cia sighs and says, “Fine.” Midna is in the middle, Cia is on her right, and the music plays.

Left arm, right arm, left arm, right arm, pose to the right, pose to the left, 360 spin and neck whip, then double V. Midna nailed it, but Cia was lagging. Cia defends she was not, but Lana says it’s alright, they’ll just keep trying. They run through it a couple more times, they do tighten it up, and all three feel really good about how that went.

The Dark Forces are watching.

They aren’t impressed by the “little dance party.” Harlequin says the Faces of Evil are way better anyway. Especially with the classics like the Thriller dance and Macarena. Zant says, “The Macarena? Pfft, and people think I’m a dork…” Harlequin says, “Don’t you dare mock the Macarena!” Harlequin changes tabs on the computer and starts playing the song! After the introduction, he lifts his right arm up flat, then his left. Then he turns the right hand up, the left hand up, puts his right hand on his left shoulder, left hand on right shoulder, then moves right hand up behind his head, and then his left.

Now his arms crisscross, right hand on left hip and left hand on right hip, to then switch so right hand on right hip and left hand on left hip. And of course, he swivels his hips in one big circle to go with “HEY~ Macarena! AIGHT!” Zant rolls his eyes while Harlequin keeps going, jumping 90 degrees to his left. Ganon walks in, Ghirahim following behind, and he tells Harlequin to “turn that crap off.” Harlequin pouts but he does as told. Ganon seethes as he takes a seat in his big arm chair. “Needless to say… Wrestling is Life didn’t go how I’d hoped. What was Kage even doing there?! Did either of you have any idea he was going to betray us?!”

Zant and Ghirahim are a bit flustered. Zant isn’t even sure Kage was part of The Dark Forces at the time Ganon took ownership. He’d kinda gone rogue at some point, didn’t he? Ghirahim agrees, it didn’t seem like he was even aligned with Cia and the others. All the more reason for Kage to keep his nose out of Ganon’s business! If Kage cared about the Dark Forces, then he would’ve helped them fight back at HyruleMania, or any time since. Kage clearly just wants the title, same as Ganon, so he’s a dead man walking. Speaking of that… Where’s Kevin? He came back in April, why isn’t he here?

Somewhere dark and spooky…

Heavy footsteps can be heard echoing as Kevin Gibdo moves down the hallway. He speaks with a low, airy voice, “Majora… Your madness… spread like wildfire… You thought by setting me ablaze… I would crumble into ash… You were wrong! Instead, I have been purified…! Purged of flaws and weaknesses… I now come forth… as gold!” There’s a light at the end of the hall, and Kevin enters a grand hall, with treasure gleaming in the light. At the center is the sarcophagus. Kevin walks up to it, opens it, and then his burnt and tattered bandages fall away before he steps inside. The sarcophagus closes, then the eyes on it begin to glow… Then the entire thing glows!

The glowing becomes a shining light, and that shining becomes so bright that nothing can be seen. It is clear things between Kevin and Majora are not over. Will the Masked Monster even stand a chance once the Gibdo of All Gibdos is restored to full strength?

Back to the Dark Forces…

Shabonne says, “I’m sure Kevin is just fine doing whatever Gibdos do on their time off.” Tali says, “What matters is what I’m about to do to that tiny little weasel with the Goddess Championship. If The Dark Forces is gonna have all the gold, then I need to squash her like a bug and take that title off of whatever’s left!” Ganon nods and says he likes the initiative. Tali will start on her own Triple Crown as the Dark Forces will make Hyrule Pro-Wrestling their kingdom! The group cheers while raising a toast! And then Harlequin gets Glutko and Lupay to join in on the Macarena, to which Ganon groans and facepalms.

And so, the ThunderStruck card is set!

The double ring, double cage will rattle with Blood & Thunder as the HPW World Trios Championships are on the line! The Gerudo Ace looks to settle a grudge with the Hero’s Shadow! And now, the Million Rupee Championship and HPW Goddess Championships will also be on the line! Will the Dark Forces absolutely dominate the Summer? Be ready to endure the heat on Friday, June 20th!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Bandwagon Nerds

Bandwagon Nerds #287: Filling A Void

The Nerds review Thunderbolts*, check out the latest trailers, and celebrate Star Wars Day as only they can!

Published

6 days ago

May 5, 2025

PC Tunney

The Bandwagon is stripped down this week as Dave and PC Tunney helm the ship for a big week in the Nerdosphere. Naturally, we are covering Thunderbolts as Dave, Tunney (and the rest of the Bandwagon, for that matter) all saw the latest entry into the MCU. What was the consensus, and did the longest post-credit scene in MCU history push the Universe in the right direction? In other MCU News, we discovered why Hawkeye had no second season. From there, the guys head into the Trailer Park to look at the latest, including a sizzle reel for Netflix’s TUDUM event, Dwayne “The Rock ” Johnson’s latest movie, The Smashing Machine, and a very creepy look at Weapons. GTA 6 got delayed, again….but could that be a blessing in disguise? But this Episode was recorded on Star Wars Day, and to commemorate the event, Dave tries his best to convince Tunney to watch Andor, while Tunney tells Dave what he likes most about one of the most successful franchises of all time. All that, plus Dave tells you why The Last of Us is the best show anywhere on TV. Dave & Tunney cover a lot of ground in an action-packed episode of BWN, so make sure you tune in!

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PROWRESTLINGTEES.COM/TheChairshot – Makes a GREAT GIFT!!!

About Bandwagon Nerds

Join Patrick O’Dowd, David Ungar, PC Tunney, Rey Cash, and DPP as they keep everyone up on all things nerd and maybe add some new nerds along the way. It’s the Bandwagon Nerds Podcast!