On June 2nd, 2017, Halsey released her new album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. With a name like this, I was a little skeptical of the album and how it would turn out. After listening to the album, I still do not get the name, but it doesn't matter considering the album is a piece of art. Every song is powerful in its own way, and I am going to highlight some of my favorites here.
The Prologue
It is a bold move starting off your album with the monologue from the beginning of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Not only is it one of the most well-known pieces of Shakespeare's writings, it sets the tone of love, loss, betrayal and much more for the rest of the album. Personally, I am a huge fan of Shakespeare so the very first time I played the album in the car, I was beyond excited and knew that this album was going to be everything I hoped it would be a more.
Favorite line: "From ancient grudge break to new mutiny / Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean"
100 Letters
A more mellow song, Halsey sings about a lover in her past and how she regrets being with him and letting him manipulate her for so long. She is finally done with him and is reflecting on the relationship
Favorite line: "But I don't let him touch me anymore / I said I'm not something to butter up and taste when you get bored"
Heaven In Hiding
With this being one of the more upbeat songs on the album, Halsey once again sings about love, but not in the normal way. My favorite part of this song is the build up to the chorus. The background music builds the anticipation, emphasizing that the other person in this song is discovering something new, which is described as "heaven in hiding."
Favorite line: "Then you start to look at me, a physical fatality / And you surrender to the heat you'll know / I can put on a show, I can put on a show / Don't you see what your finding? / This is heaven in hiding"
Walls Could Talk
I think the reason I like this so much is because the beat reminds me of an old Destiny Child's song. It has the same vibe and talks about how she isn't someones "baby no more."
Favorite line: "And it's a closed discussion / And I'm thinking, "Damn, if these walls could talk""
Bad at Love
Halsey talks about her mishaps in love with both men and women. You can really feel the hurt in her voice and lyrics and I think this is something everyone can relate to, especially because she is singing about how she keeps trying even though she has had many failed attempts. Also, there is a shoutout to the Garden State (which is New Jersey) in this song so I thought that was cool.
Favorite line: "There's a guy that lives in the Garden State / And he told me that we'd make it till we graduate / So I told him that the music would be worth the wait / But he wants me in the kitchen with a dinner plate"
Honorable Mentions:
Alone, Eyes Closed, Now or Never, Devil In Me
When you're listening to this album, make sure you listen to these highlights, and you might find yourself a brand new song!
