Billie Eilish's 'Happier Than Ever' doesn't live up to the brilliance of its title track

Callie Ahlgrim,Courteney LaroccaAug 2, 2021, 02:54 IST

Billie Eilish is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter.Darkroom/Interscope Records

Billie Eilish released her 16-track sophomore album, "Happier Than Ever," on Friday.
It has some spectacular songs - especially the title track - but lacks a cohesive allure.
The best songs are "Billie Bossa Nova," "Oxytocin," "Halley's Comet," "Happier Than Ever," and "Male Fantasy."

Billie Eilish released her highly anticipated sophomore album, "Happier Than Ever," on Friday.

The 16-song collection was created during quarantine alongside Eilish's brother, producer, and cowriter, Finneas O'Connell - continuing the insular process of her 2019 debut, which brought the duo staggering chart success and critical acclaim.

Insider's music team (reporter Callie Ahlgrim and celebrity and music editor Courteney Larocca) listened to the new album on our own, jotting down our initial thoughts track by track.

Here is what we thought of each song on "Happier Than Ever" upon first listen. (Skip to the end to see the only songs worth listening to and the album's final score.)

"Getting Older" sets the scene with mellow production and candid lyrics.

"Getting Older" is the first track on "Happier Than Ever." Billie Eilish/YouTube

"I Didn't Change My Number" will intrigue some and instantly alienate others.

"I Didn't Change My Number" is the second track on "Happier Than Ever." Amazon Music/YouTube

"Billie Bossa Nova" is a bright, jazzy number with a gorgeous vocal performance.

"Billie Bossa Nova" is the third track on "Happier Than Ever." Billie Eilish/YouTube

"My Future" has lost some of its luster over time.

"My Future" was released as the album's lead single on July 30, 2020. Billie Eilish/YouTube

"Oxytocin" is chaotic good.

"Oxytocin" is the fifth track on "Happier Than Ever." @billieeilish/Instagram

The premise of "Goldwing" is ambitious, but ultimately feels vague and unsatisfying.

"Goldwing" is the sixth track on "Happier Than Ever." Billie Eilish/YouTube

"Lost Cause" is a delicious breakup bop.

"Lost Cause" was released as the album's fourth single on June 2, 2021. Billie Eilish/YouTube

"Halley's Comet" boasts some of Eilish's best lyrics to date.

"Halley's Comet" is the eighth track on "Happier Than Ever." Billie Eilish/YouTube

"Not My Responsibility" is a spoken-word interlude that wasn't necessary to include.

"Not My Responsibility" was released as a short film on May 26, 2020. Billie Eilish/YouTube

"OverHeated" seems to explore Eilish's relationship with paparazzi and the internet.

"OverHeated" is the 10th track on "Happier Than Ever." Kelia Anne MacCluskey; @billieeilish/Instagram

"Everybody Dies" is too spacey to be interesting.

"Everybody Dies" is the 11th track on "Happier Than Ever." @billieeilish/Instagram

"Your Power" is a haunting story in a folksy ballad.

"Your Power" was released as the album's third single on April 29, 2021. Billie Eilish/YouTube

"NDA" doesn't stand out like it should.

"NDA" was released as the album's fifth single on July 9, 2021. Billie Eilish/YouTube

"Therefore I Am" is Eilish at her most charismatic.

"Therefore I Am" was released as the album's second single on November 12, 2020. Billie Eilish/YouTube

"Happier Than Ever" is the best song on the album - maybe Eilish's best song to date.

"Happier Than Ever" the 15th track on "Happier Than Ever." Billie Eilish/YouTube

"Male Fantasy" is a tender meditation on expectation versus reality.

"Male Fantasy" is the 16th and final track on "Happier Than Ever." Billie Eilish/YouTube

Final Grade: 7.2/10

"Happier Than Ever" consists of 17 tracks. Darkroom/Interscope Records

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