It wouldn’t be one of music’s greatest years without a new Billie Eilish an album, right? Uh.
Eilish, 22, officially announced her third album, Hit me hard and softon April 8, joining the long list of artists — including Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Dua Lipa, Saint Vincent, Zayn And Lana Del Rey — release albums this year. Hit me hard and soft serves as a highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s Happier than ever.
“This is so crazy writing this right now,” Eilish wrote via Instagram while revealing the artwork for her new album, noting that she was feeling nervous and excited about the project.
Eilish told fans that she and Finnéas (his brother and creative collaborator) “really couldn’t be more proud of this album, and we absolutely can’t wait for you to hear it.”
Despite her enthusiasm, Eilish explained that she wanted listeners to hear the album “in one go,” meaning they would have to be patient as it counted down to release day. The movement was similar to Ariana Grande, who did not release a second single after “Yes, And?” because she wanted it Eternal sun album “to listen to in one piece”.
Scroll on to find out when Eilish’s new album will be released, why there won’t be multiple vinyls in different colors and more:
When is “Hit Me Hard and Soft” released?
In addition to sharing the title and cover art for her third album, Eilish revealed that Hit me hard and soft will arrive on May 17.
“Hit me hard and soft” will sound different
Eilish appeared in Variety Power of Women edition in November 2023. Interviewer Katcy Sephan then shared a quote from Eilish about her upcoming album that “didn’t have a place” in the feature.
“It seems different from the other stuff, but not in a weird, foreign way.” said Eilish. “It’s just a new feeling. It just feels like a change. Change is one of my favorite things in life.
A press release for the record calls it “his most daring work to date”, noting that the album is “a diverse but cohesive collection of songs ideally listened to in their entirety from start to finish” and “does exactly like the album. the title suggests it; hits you hard and soft, both lyrically and sonically, while skirting genres and defying trends along the way.
Hit Me Hard and Soft song titles
Eilish previously shared that the album would contain 10 songs. On April 18, Eilish dropped the entire tracklist.
The album will include 10 new songs: “Skinny”, “Lunch”, “Chihero”, “Birds of a Feather”, “Wildflower”, “The Greatest”, “L’Amour de ma Vie”, “The Diner”, “Bittersuite” and “Blue”.
“Hit me hard and soft” will be environmentally friendly
According to Billboard, Hit me hard and soft will have eight vinyl variants, all of which will be available on the same day. The different versions will contain all the same songs, so there will be no incentive to buy all eight to hear all of Eilish’s new music.
Eilish’s online store listed two versions of the vinyl pressing when she announced Hit me hard and soft: the basic black version and the Eco-Mix version.
Eco-Mix is a 100% recycled compound made from “cut flash and scraps of any color that could not otherwise be reused,” according to the website. This means that each press of this variation differs from the previous one. The album will also avoid using shrink plastic film.
In a March 28 interview with Billboard, Eilish spoke out against artists who “create f–king 40 different vinyl packages that have one unique, different thing just to get you to keep buying more.” Eilish called the tactic “wasteful” and argued that artists who do it are more concerned about sales numbers than the impact on their fans’ wallets and the environment. (While some fans thought Eilish was commenting on Taylor Swift’s multiple vinyls, she clarified that she wasn’t “singling out anyone” and that the criticism was “industry-wide.”)
Similar to Happier than everEilish will offer a special CD version of Hit me hard and soft. The CD softpak case will be covered in red paint splatters. When announcing the new album, Eilish shared a video of herself administering paint to the CDs, giving them a personal touch.
Why you’re no longer ‘close friends’ with Billie Eilish
On April 4, Eilish added her 110 million Instagram followers to her list of “close friends,” a designation typically reserved for confidants in a user’s inner circle. The move earned Eilish 10 million new subscribers in less than a week.
However, the blow was short-lived. Want to pop reported a few days later that Eilish had removed her followers from the “close friends” list.
“Having a much larger audience and platform than I’ve ever had in my life means I can reach many more people, and that’s a huge responsibility and a privilege to have,” she told Billboard about her approach to fame. . “If I don’t use this privilege to do good in the world, what’s the point?”