Live Review: Billie Eilish smoulders in new single, 'Bitches Broken Hearts'

21 November 2017 | 9:47 am | Camilla Patini

LA born and bred Billie Eilish has just uploaded a new single to her Soundcloud, interestingly titled, ‘bitches broken hearts’. On it, she sings about a relationship gone sour, adopting the subdued whispered vocal stance popular with singers such as Selena Gomez. Her understated, intricate vocal performance has an air of wise beyond her years (Eilish is fifteen – fifteen!). But she's not sad – she's "the one that got away."

This song comes hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed EP, Don't Smile At Me. On the track, she sings in the sneering voice of a young girl who doesn’t give two fucks, stating sarcastically to her ex-lover, “All you want to do is kiss me / What a shame I’m not there,” over a slow and measured beat. The character she plays exudes a saucy indifference, with her careful, seductive whispers really showing off what great a performer she is. The façade crumbles slightly with the admission that “Somebody new is gonna comfort me like you never do." But it's just pretend, he's really "made for begging, 'Stay'." Ouch. This last word is barely uttered and is all the more potent for it.

Her pop influences can be heard in her playful, word-association lyrics, as in the lines, “Somebody new is gonna comfort you like you want me to / Somebody new is gonna comfort me like you never do,” and, "You and I are suicidal stolen art / Pretty mama sews stitches into all your bitches broken hearts." The lyrics have bite despite their soft and smoky delivery.

Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter

‘Bitches Broken Hearts’ is an elegant and sophisticated single by a young woman who is already on a meteoric rise to stardom. I can't wait to see what she does next. She'll be in the country very shortly for Laneway, so catch her there before she levels up into the global superstar she was born to be.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival

Friday February 2 | St. Jerome's Laneway Festival, Adelaide SA

Saturday February 3 | St. Jerome's Laneway Festival, Melbourne VIC

Sunday February 4 | St. Jerome's Laneway Festival, Sydney NSW

Saturday February 10 | St. Jerome's Laneway Festival, Brisbane QLD

Sunday February 11 | St. Jerome's Laneway Festival, Fremantle WA

Don’t Smile At Me is out now. Listen/buy here.

Image: Supplied

Words by CAMILLA PATINI

SEE MORE