With a versatile voice, swirling synths, and chilling honesty, Ashley Frangipane - better known by her stage name Halsey - is “heading straight for the castle”; not just in her first track, “Castle,” but in the music scene too. The Indie Pop artist from New Jersey was just signed under Astralwerks in 2014 and released her first EP, Room 93, in October that year. Since then she molded her sound and cranked out Badlands on August 28 after performing at several shows and catching the public’s eye.
In Room 93, listeners got a taste of the heartbreaking sincerity in her lyrics. Though the words pulsed with emotions, so did the background tracks that didn’t quite mesh with her experimental sound at the time. Badlands proved to be a significant improvement that laid the foundation of more greatness to come. “Castle” introduces Halsey’s ardent attitude and ethereal timbre that grows in other tracks like “Ghost” and “Control.” “New Americana” has been praised as an anthem for the millennial generation with jabs toward the rich society. Despite the bright, resounding chorus, it dims in comparison to other anthems like “Young God” and “Roman Holiday.”
Halsey effortlessly connects with audiences with raw vulnerability in her words and voice. Everything she puts out is sincere and passionate. “Colors” delivers the best blend of personal narrative and vivid imagination above a bass drum’s heartbeat;
“You’re dripping like a saturated sunrise / You’re spilling like an overflowing sink.”
This track contains the power to time travel and replay every sad love song you cried to on a mixed CD you made yourself.
Although the album is heavy with synths and shimmery ambience, the 21-year-old artist touched base with her classical background. “Control” starts off dark and haunting before swelling with power and orchestrated strings as she sang:
“And all the kids cry out “Please stop you’re scaring me” / I can’t help this awful energy / Goddamn right you should be scared of me / Who is in control?”
In addition, she made a creative move to include a chilling choir in "Castle".
Halsey first posted "Ghost" on SoundCloud before its appearance on Room 93, so it would be fitting to conclude Badlands. This tune captures her signature sound: electro-pop, subtle shimmer, and a pounding bass drum. It’s so distinct, it’s found in most of her songs, and the repetitiveness may take your focus away from the bulk of the content.
We ought to thank Halsey for sharing glimpses of wild stories, complex heartbreaks, and the demons that haunt her. The young artist's sultry hooks and unapologetic looks contribute to this icon in the making. Badlands captures the confusing and sometimes scary thoughts that follow us from our teenage years into adulthood. It's raw, atmospheric, and imaginative.
Rating: 8.5/10
Halsey will be on tour around the United States from late September to December. Check out her site for dates and venues.
