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Everyone remembers When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Billie Eilish’s breakout debut that exploded when she was just 17.
It was edgy, raw, emotional, and a perfect reflection of what growing up in a chaotic world can sound like.
But that’s not the album I’m here to talk about.
I want to talk about her second studio album, Happier Than Ever — the one that felt like a true evolution.
A Shift in Sound and Spirit
Released in 2021 when Billie was 19, Happier Than Ever shows a noticeable shift in both style and maturity.
There’s a softness to it. A sense of reflection. A clear step forward in growth — not just artistically, but emotionally.
Genres shift between pop, jazz, and electro, creating a blend that still feels like Billie, but in a new light.
This was one of the first albums I ever listened to fully, intentionally. Not just random songs — the whole thing.
And that’s why it became the first vinyl I ever bought.
I wanted to experience it the way I feel it was meant to be — start to finish, no skips, full immersion.
My Track Ranking (Best to Least Favorite)
Everyone will have their own take, but this is mine — based on how the songs made me feel and how often I revisit them:
- Happier Than Ever – The title track. Starts slow, almost fragile… and then explodes. That transition is so raw.
- Your Power – A message that’s hard to hear but important to listen to. Vulnerable and sharp.
- GOLDWING – Something about this one is just addicting. Ethereal, layered, so well done.
- Halley’s Comet – A soft, romantic lullaby. It’s sweet in the way a crush feels sweet.
- My Future – Hopeful and grounding. A love letter to who you’re becoming.
- Billie Bossa Nova
- Everybody Dies
- Getting Older
- Male Fantasy
- Therefore I Am
- I Didn’t Change My Number
- Lost Cause
- NDA
- OverHeated
- Oxytocin – A little too chaotic for me, but I get the point.
Not My Responsibility — I’m not ranking this one. It’s an interlude of her viral speech about body image and societal expectations, and it deserves its own space. It’s not a song — it’s a statement.
Final Thoughts
This album holds a lot of meaning for me. It marked the beginning of something — not just for Billie, but for me too.
Happier Than Ever is first album I chose to listen to with intention. The first album I bought on vinyl.
It made me see the value in storytelling through music — not just through lyrics, but through structure, flow, and feeling.
Rating: 7.4/10
Strong, reflective, and beautifully produced.
It paved the way for Billie’s next album — which, spoiler: is her most mature work yet (and probably my favorite).
But we’ll get to that in the next post.