Deep Dive: "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT" by Billie Eilish
May 22, 2024
auto_awesome
Billie Eilish discusses her new album, 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT', the complexities of her artistry, the sexual song 'LUNCH', and the odd resurgence of the movie 'Madame Web' on Netflix. The podcast also explores themes of self-awareness, artistic evolution, parasocial relationships, unconventional music choices, and the cultural impact of Jesus' parables.
'Lunch' in Billie Eilish's album explores same-sex relationship authentically, impacting the overall listening experience.
Billie and Phineas Eilish prioritize musical authenticity and intelligence in their craft, setting them apart.
'Skinny' by Billie Eilish addresses external perceptions of happiness, promoting self-respect and acceptance.
Deep dives
Lunch: A Standout In the Album
The track 'Lunch' in Billie Eilish's new album explores a same-sex relationship, delving into the experience in a more explicit manner than the rest of the album. The song's theme lingers over the entire album, impacting the overall listening experience. While the rest of the album presents various themes of love and human connections, 'Lunch' stands out for its openness and authenticity in discussing a different aspect of relationships.
Craft and Authenticity in Billie Eilish's Music
Billie Eilish and her brother, Phineas, showcase a dedication to musical craft and authenticity in their work. Their focus on music as a form of artistry and expression sets them apart from many other artists, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful and genuine music. Their music reflects a deliberate approach to their craft, characterized by intelligence and purpose in their musical choices.
The Intimate and Relatable Themes in 'Skinny'
The song 'Skinny' in Billie Eilish's album addresses the external perception of happiness based on physical appearance, particularly weight. The lyrics highlight the idea that one's true self remains unchanged despite external changes, encouraging self-respect and acceptance. 'Skinny' encapsulates the intimate and relatable themes present in the album, offering a positive message about self-esteem and self-perception.
'The Diner': A Blend of Unique Sounds
One of the standout tracks in the album, 'The Diner' encapsulates Billie Eilish's signature style with a blend of unique sounds and infectious beats. The song carries an eerie yet captivating vibe, showcasing Billie Eilish's talent for creating music that evokes various emotions. 'The Diner' presents a cohesive sound that resonates with fans of Eilish's distinctive musical approach.
Theme of Parasocial Relationships in the Album and Analyzing Personal Fame
The podcast episode delves into the theme of parasocial relationships as seen in the album discussed. It explores how celebrities, including low-level ones, experience one-sided connections with their audience, amplified by platforms like social media. The discussion connects this theme to the overarching concept of the artist, in this case, Billie Eilish, wrestling with personal fame and the mirror it presents. It highlights the album's exploration of the feedback loop between being perceived and self-perception, drawing parallels to the discomfort of parasocial relationships.
Embracing Weirdness in Art and Stimulating Critical Thinking
The conversation transitions into discussing the importance of embracing weirdness in art to prompt critical thinking. Drawing parallels to how Jesus used parables to engage audiences and provoke contemplation, the podcast emphasizes the value of creating work that challenges conventional norms. It underscores the role of 'weirdness' as a cue to deeper understanding, encouraging listeners to move beyond surface interpretations and delve into subtexts for enhanced engagement with creative content.
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is the newest album from Billie Eilish, and it's our topic of discussion on this week's Deep Dive. We discuss the complexities of Billie Eilish as an artist, the ways her music represents said complexity, and the very sexual song LUNCH. In our Shallow End, we discuss the odd resurgence of the movie Madame Web on Netflix. Also, Hannah has thoughts about defamiliarization. Do you?
Thanks as always for listening! If you want to find more free Axis resources or give a gift of support, you can check out our website at axis.org.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode