Review: Billie Eilish- When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

While faltering at times, the debut album from the 17 year old star surprises with its gripping production and songwriting.

At first, I was surprised to find that Billie Eilish had over 36 million monthly listeners on Spotify while having only one studio album and a handful of singles. After taking the time to soak this new project in, I now understand why. Her haunting and atmospheric vocal performances I found to be unique and her hushed and quiet delivery work well to accentuate her devilish aesthetic. At their core, these are simple verse/chorus/verse pop tracks but due to compelling and gripping production, done entirely by Billie’s brother, help make these songs more captivating. You can tell this sibling duo had a clear vision and direction for this album, and both of their talents combine for a project that I believe achieves their artistic goals.

“bad guy’ is this bass filled banger with Billie seeming to embrace and enjoy her dark and sinister persona. The beat is undeniably catchy and the sinful and flirtatious themes of seduction and temptation help to set the tone for the rest of the album. The bridge and outro on the track hit me out of nowhere and is one of the more explosive moments on the album with Billie repeating “im the bad guy” as the track slowly fades out over this volatile trap infused beat.

Up next is the track “xanny” which is a topical song questioning the motives and trends of recreational drug use among Billie's peers. The chorus on this track could blow out a pair of headphones from the pounding bass and the eerily hypnotic effect put on Billie vocals that add to the nightmarish charm of the album. “I can't afford to love someone/Who isn't dying by mistake in Silver Lake” she emotional states. One of the few moments on this album where I was impressed by Billie’s lyricism.

The hook on the next track, “you should see me in a crown” is undeniably infectious. The slow build of the verse helps for the glass shattering chorus to be even more effective. This is such a refreshing song and I have been happy to hear this song making its rounds on the airwaves lately. One of the records highlights.

The next stretch of the album is when a tonal change is evident and some weaker cuts start to become noticeable. “wish you were gay” into “when the parties over” into “8” are the three worst songs on the project with very few new ideas or intriguing commentary being brought to the table. These also feel especially lackluster after such a strong start to the album. “8” in particular is hard to listen to with a pitch shift put on Billie’s vocals that emulates, what I believe, a baby singing through a tin can would sound like.

The somber ballads “i love you” and “listen before I go” showcase Billie’s vocal chops but offer little in the way of compelling songwriting. Also, the minimalist arrangements hold these songs back from reaching their true potential. "all the good girls go to hell" has Billie's more satirical side come out, as she takes religious imagery and upends it in ways that is admittedly clever.

While the ominous and nocturnal tonal aesthetic works well on a superficial level, it didn’t carry the whole weight of the project. I saw a tweet that said “Billie Eilish makes music for people who take antidepressants as a fashion statement.” While I laughed out loud reading that, after listening to the album, I understand why Billie’s music is catching the attention of music fans who normally steer clear of the Billboard Top 100. It is a catchy, well produced, and, at times, an inventive melancholic pop album. Considering Billie Eilish is only 17 years old, this is a commendable first stab into a musical landscape that will continue to have high expectations for this young star.

Rating: 6/10

Essential Tracks: bad guy, xanny, you should see me in a crown, bury a friend, i love you, all the good girls go to hell