4/5
The Pretenders
Taylor Swift. Beyoncé. Maggie Rogers. St. Vincent. Billie Eilish. Maya Hawke. Nelly Furtado. Katy Perry. Lady Gaga. For all the pop artists that have released highly-anticipated albums this year, you just knew you were going to hear from them. Here is Halsey's new album, and her first studio since 2021's influential, 'If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power'. The first release since the last live take of the classic 'Hopeless Fountain Kingdom' at Webster Hall. Here you'll hear one of the 'Maniac's' best since the Bruce 'Badlands'. Their fifth album and first with the classic Colombia records. Recorded at the Electric Lady Studios and shot to the stratosphere with super singles like 'Lucky', the incredible 'Lonely Is The Muse', the 'Ego' shedding, and the new breakup ballad 'I Never Loved You' for the "by myself" flowers generation. The star stamped on this Tears For Fears 'Songs For A Nervous Planet (also released this weekend) Warhol like album artwork almost looks like Ziggy Stardust...with good reason.
David Bowie. Bruce Springsteen. Joni Michell. Dolly Parton. Cher. Stevie Nicks. Linda Ronstadt. Kate Bush. PJ Harvey. Björk. Fiona Apple. Tori Amos. Britney Spears. Aaliyah. Amy Lee of Evanescence. And the late Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries, whose legend lingers on. Not to mention, the great Marylin Monroe, for the outstanding Hollywoodland opening of the 'Only Girl Living in LA'. Or even herself, for the inspired cover of her own 'Badlands' 'Hurt Feelings'. Halsey inspires impersonations, appearing as them all, as they hold all the cards in this great American concept songbook album. Resulting in some of the amazing artist's own best work yet. Especially when it comes to the epic 'Letter(s) To God', spanning the decades from 1974 to 1998 (and '83 in-between), if you know, you know. This is the greatest show, man, for one of the best releases of the year for the record. From New Music Friday to those from times gone by.
'Hometown'. 'Dog Years'. 'Darwinism'. It's all here, "in the space between life and death" for Halsey's best and boldest yet. "Does the story die with its narrator" on the titular 'The Great Impersonator'? Not this one. "Uh-AH!" Pure pop at it's most subtle and beautiful. It doesn't get much finer than this down the line. Personal and profound. What was once meant to be her last album, turns out to be, not only her best, but a celebration of all those who came before her. From the scavenger hunt for the album art of different decades. All the way to the bonus wonderland of 'Alice Of The Upper Class'. On 'Panic Attack' the New Jersey songstress stresses, "My body carries sadness that my brain cannot yet see/And I've been holding on to memories in my stomach and my teeth/And both my shoulders have been burdened by the weight of my mistakes/And every time you lean in closer, both my knees can't help but shake". Going even deeper through the darkness to find the light and that of a new day.
'The End' justifies the Joni Mitchell means. Whilst, 'I Believe In Magic' and its great deal also believes in the country strength of Linda Ronstadt. Just like the 'Hometown' of Nashville's very own Dolly Parton. Across America in concert, we would love to see some of these artist appear on stage in duet, alongside Halsey. If you dream it, you can see it. A letter to God, or the Boss Springsteen (1983 to infinity). It's a draft you could weave into reality like the 'Life Of A Spider' song in her back pocket. But for all these love letters and dedication to greats, whether turning back time with Cher in '74, or bringing the dearly departed Li-Li back to 1998, it's the Fiona Apple amazing 'Arsonist' that burns this all down. "You built a small container to keep all of me confined/I am water, I am shapeless, I am fluid, I am divine/Somebody will love me for the way that I'm designed/Devastation, creation, intertwined." Canadian poet Rupi Kaur would be proud. They say, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Impersonation here, on the other hand, is the most influential and inspired. By greatness. TIM DAVID HARVEY
Playlist Picks: 'Only Girl Living In LA', 'Letter To God (1974)', 'Lonely Is The Muse'.
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