Halsey sends fans on a treasure hunt before releasing 'Ego'
Halsey sends fans on a treasure hunt before releasing 'Ego'
The four-song EP teases an 18-track album
Welcome to Gen Z Translator. On Tunes Tuesdays, we dive into new music. Subscribe here if you don’t already follow this newsletter, and check me out on Threads or X. Views are my own.
Welcome to Tunes Tuesday, a new Gen Z Translator segment where we dive into trending music! (I love alliteration, sorry). Just like Meme Monday, this part of the newsletter will be sporadic, so don’t expect to be hit with too much content. But if you’re not interested, you can opt out.
There’s no better way to start than with one of my favorite artists – Halsey. The pop artist has made four studio albums since their debut with “BADLANDS” in 2015. (My first concert, in fact). Halsey’s fifth album, “The Great Impersonator,” will release on Oct. 25.
Halsey launched their new era with a 2000s, tabloid-esque promotional campaign, complete with bright pink hair and a Britney Spears-inspired music video. In an Instagram video, she sent fans on a scavenger hunt, saying she had hidden “5 time capsules from 5 different decades at special locations,” and that her fans needed to work together, “as the next city’s clues will not be revealed until the previous city is found.”
Halsey then revealed four vinyl cover variants, themed after the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
Halsey dropped her EP, “Ego,” on Sept. 6. Throughout the four songs, Halsey explores mortality, health, and self-worth. The star announced in June she had been diagnosed with lupus and a rare T-cell disorder in 2022, and though both illnesses were in remission, they will take lifelong maintenance.
“I made this record in the space between life and death,” Halsey wrote in an Instagram post. “And it feels like I’ve waited an eternity for you to have it. I’ll wait a bit longer. I’ve waited a decade, already.”
I’m excited to see where “The Great Impersonator” will go, whether that’s through decade-themed tonal choices or complex themes.
Here’s a glimpse into the EP.
Ego
This rhythmic and realistic take on the artist’s struggles with chronic illness feels like it belongs at the beginning of a 90’s/00’s teen movie like, Ten Things I Hate About You or A Cinderella Story. “I can’t keep my feet on the ground and I’m nervous what you’ll think of me now,” Halsey sings. “I’m hoping someone comes around and helps me figure it out.” Ego is relatable and honest, with admirable instrumentals that make you want to join in on the drums.
Lonely is the Muse
This ambient, four-minute tune plunges listeners back into classic 90s rock music, like Nirvana and The Cranberries. I couldn’t figure out what the song reminded me of until I found a Reddit thread connecting Lonely is the Muse to a previous Halsey song called People disappear here. This song is my favorite from the EP, perhaps because it’s similar to one of my favorite Halsey songs in general. Regardless, I love a fresh take on an old work.
Lucky
As someone also dealing with health issues and chronic pain, Halsey’s representation of sickness is refreshing. The aesthetic is well-crafted and straight forward. I feel bad rating it lower than the other two, especially since the song is vulnerable, and the music video is a work of art. I don’t dislike the song, it’s just not something I would listen to on repeat, which is what I base my ratings on.
The End
“If you knew it was the end of the world, would you like to stay a while?” Halsey asks. “And I know it’s not the end of the world, but could you pick me up at eight? ‘Cause my treatment starts today.” The End released in June around the time Halsey announced her serious health struggles. It’s raw and delicate, acting more as autobiography than song. Upon releasing the song, Halsey wrote on Instagram, “long story short, i’m Lucky to be alive. short story long, i wrote an album. it begins with The End. out now.”
