After basically ignoring “Badlands” since it came out, I’ve finally decided to give it a listen after accidentally hearing “New Americana”. A song that I HATE (that fucking KIDZ-BOP choir) and LOVE (Halsey’s voice, the production, the lyrics) all at the same time…

I’m only 3 tracks in, not planning on writing a review or analysis or anything. Just wondering how @pop-genius feels about her and/or her debut.

I feel like she’s a great song-writer over everything else.

POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Hold Me Down
New Americana
Drive
Hurricane
Roman’s Holiday
Ghost

Just to name a few. Really dope album. She’s talented definately.

@Kingly-Carter I wouldn’t say that. I do really like Halsey now though, and there’s some serious potential shown on Badlands…but I feel like she’s stuck in normal-Pop in a way.

Like, she would be better on Dark R&B-style production like Banks. Or just doing weird artsy shit like FKA Twigs. Instead (sonically) she sticks with this sort of “normal” sound. Which works for some (like Alessia Cara); but doesn’t work for someone like Halsey who clearly has a non-normal/standard…everything really.

I just hope she changes things up in the future, has a different sound to match her more

@Kingly-Carter smh @ not mentioning Castle

Loved the album.

@darkdoomhoney

@Kingly-Carter I’m screaming that’s basically the first half of the album LOL

The first half is really strong, the second half has it’s moments too though.

Badlands is easily one of my top 5 albums of 2015, and that’s saying a lot, because this year in music has been phenomenal.

The first song I heard by Halsey was “Ghost” in late 2014 (as is the same with many other people) when it was released with Room 93, but the song I really fell in love with was “Trouble – Stripped” because of its raw nature and deep emotion.

I think having listened to live versions of songs like “Colors” and “Castle” pumped me up so much in anticipation for the release of her LP. I was trying to refrain from expecting great things, but I was overcome with happiness by the outcome because not only did we have new material, but all her songs are perfect representations of her musical ability and style.

Yeah, lots of people don’t like her, and her influences are all across the board, so it’s quick to label her as a simple pop artist, but there’s more than meets the eye with Halsey. There’s something special about her and her unapologetic, in-your-face mantra has a lot to do with it.

I’ll admit, “New Americana” – MUSICALLY – is not my favorite. I skip it. The message, however, definitely resonates. Same goes with “Roman Holiday”, but perhaps I tired it out by replaying the live version too much (funny how that didn’t happen with “Castle” or “Colors” though..?)

TL;DR -

We can’t escape Halsey and what she’s accomplished. I’m extremely proud of her and her debut, and I could hear her talk for hours. She’s eloquent and her lyrics hold substance and break barriers (although lots of people find it “calculated, defiant, and, ultimately, hollow” cough Pitchfork cough). It’s all a matter of opinion, but also being open-minded to an eclectic composition of different vibes throughout her music.

The first half is really strong, the second half has it’s moments too though.

I think this has a lot to do with the album having been concept-based. Forgive me if I look at this too deeply, but here I go.

She said that, by the middle of the LP, she leaves the mental-state known as the Badlands. By the time we hit “Colors”, things get way dark, deep, and for lack of better words, hostile. A huge fuck-you with “Strange Love”, wrapping her head around her mental illness in “Control” and touching on that as well in “Gasoline”, and the distraught aura revolving around her in “Haunting”.

People are also hitting really hard on “Colors, Pt. 2” because it appears repetitive or useless since it’s just a 1:36min remix of the original track, but (again, goin' a little deep here) it’s almost showcasing the confusion and loss revolving the relationship that’s explored in “Colors” – the way the lyrics are organized, the slow-moving, shimmering tempo, etc.)

Okkkkkkk, time for me to stop talking.

Oh wait one more thing

“New Americana”. A song that I HATE (that fucking KIDZ-BOP choir)

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOO THIS DOESN’T HELP IT EITHER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYUaJGGneiI

twas epic

Easily one of the best debuts of the decade in my opinion, and in this musically-amazing year along it’s a very standout project.

I hate how some people are trying to write her off as some sort of Tumblr-core popstar that’s not gonna go anywhere, and refuse to give her a chance.

It’s almost like Halsey (throughout Badlands at least) is a very modern/post-modern/new age (not necessarily in the spiritual sense) Lana Del Rey type of character; but a lot more…free than Lana’s character.

Throughout Badlands Halsey brings up things like her own sexuality and sexual experiences, but not in a typical way. She doesn’t give it special attention or anything like that. It’s just apart of life, apart of the narrative. Apart of the human experience.

Which resonates with me personally, an 18 year old Black guy; and I know it resonates with a LOT of other people, namely other young people of all types and kinds.

The “New Americana” really is her demographic! The youth!

http://www.stereogum.com/1829157/the-week-in-pop-halseys-new-americana-might-actually-be-a-real-demographic/franchises/the-week-in-pop/

And the best part is, unlike LDR and other artists, I feel like Halsey’s just being herself. Lana’s obviously portraying a character from the early 1900’s.

All and all this album is really great. Her EP was dope and I was amazed by how far she took this album.

Hey guys, here’s a really dumb question, but I’d really appreciate it if somebody could help me out…

Is Halsey mixed (I said it was dumb)? I’m guessing “no”, but she does (apparently) identify as biracial (and if she isn’t genetically mixed, I don’t have a problem with her identifying as biracial or anything); because her dad’s Black.

Again, stupid question. I just like to have my facts straight and such.

@Indygo-Soul Yes, she is. White mother and black father. :)
Not a dumb question at all.

Also worth noting that her upbringing in a mixed family has highly contributed to her ability to be open-minded, maintaining a positive energy about diversity, cultures, and “different walks of life.”

Basically why she says “Raised on Biggie and Nirvana” in “New Americana”.

https://genius.com/5111792