Billie Eilish has dropped yet another taster from her upcoming sophomore record, titled “Lost Cause“. This new single does not quite follow up on the folky direction of “Your Power,” running more closely to Eilish’s signature style heard in previous singles such as “Therefore I Am” and “My Future.” Like some of her best songs, it comes off as minimalistic and bare compared to a lot of pop music, but it thrives because the components that are here are very well done.
I have to start by giving props to the bass in this track. This might be the catchiest bassline in a Billie Eilish song since “Bad Guy.” That’s good, because there isn’t a lot more here in terms of instrumentation. Aside from a very simple percussion track and some light synth embellishments, the bass is the beating heart of “Lost Cause.”
I was a little put off by how plainly the vocals lie in this mix, though. This is something quite typical to Finneas O’Connell’s production work on Billie’s music. It sounds as though Billie is singing very close to the microphone, and the lack of any effects make it feel almost like Billie is whispering directly into your ear. Things do come together as the song widens, though, with some lovely harmonies coloring the background of the song’s final leg, creating some much needed space.
“Lost Cause” still leaves me wondering what kind of direction Billie’s upcoming record, Happier Than Ever, will take. While “Your Power” hinted at a sadder, more vulnerable Billie, “Lost Cause” paints her as defiant. You can bet I’ll be paying close attention to this record once it comes out in July.
Amped! 