Album Review: Halsey Get Manic On Love And Life
Manic feels like the most Pop approach to depression, which is perfect the current, Pop era we are living in. “Anxiety Pop,” as some call it, is on the rise, which self-reflections on self-loathing are happening over synth-waves and reverb. When I put it like that, you might laugh, but there is something really cool and commonly healing about making a complete BOP that genuinely discusses struggles with self-love. Enter Halsey’s Manic to give pop lovers’ a record they can bond with in tears while singing along with friends.
Lyrically, Halsey punches through nearly every track the battle for hope when you have NO self-esteem. One of her lyrics is literally, “I have no self-esteem.” Yet, from “Finally” to “Still Learning,” she holds onto optimism in both loving herself and finding someone good enough to love her, as well. Still, as a woman, I know that journey is LONG AND HARD, which is the album’s span through genres amplifies both Halsey’s message and prowess. She can go from Rock to Hop Hop as an artist, and she can go through hell and high-water to find the right guy.
Halsey – You should be sad
I KNOW there are going to be twenty-something, female pop aficionados that will adore this record’s particularly angsty tracks like, “Killing Boys,” “You Should Be Sad,” and “I Hate Everybody.” Why? Because being a woman, especially one that is dating men of 2020, can be as fun and easy as drunkenly losing your eye contact in the middle of dark, dance club and genuinely searching for it on the floor as if you can pop that “now eye infection” back in. Am I equating some men I have dated to “eye infections? Why yes! So is Halsey, in many ways! From “Graveyard” to “Without Me” and her “Alanis Interlude” summoning her inner Jagged Little Pill, Halsey absolutely confronts the toxic choices we make, as women, when approaching our bodies, our hearts, and, unfortunately, our men.
Halsey – Graveyard
I’ll admit it! Some of my exes would not have even gotten a Tinder swipe from me had I love myself, and that is one of the core message Halsey promotes in Manic, which is why it goes from “Anxiety Pop” to “Powerful Pop.” Her honeyed voice flows through grassed, folk rhythms and sweet synth-pop or raging rock to emanate a journey many women will understand, whether we are at the peak of success or not even close to it. For Halsey, being Manic is the battle to realize no one or nothing can make you happy if you never feel happy with yourself. Halsey’s Manic Comes Out January 17. Click Here To Buy.
