Published by Mason Oldridge, 24 October 2024
Tissues at the ready as there won’t be a dry eye in the house with this emotional fifth studio album from Halsey.
The Great Impersonator appears to reference the multiple personality types one can exude, with Halsey citing “friend, lover, foe”.
The record places the acoustic guitar as the primary instrument across the tracklist but also offers up an array of other sounds. Single Ego is the most commercial on the album, embracing an Avril Lavigne-esque punk rock feel while the influence of Evanescence is prominent on Lonely Is the Muse. Arsonist contains some interesting lyrics set to a trip hop beat before the piano-led Life of the Spider, which deserves a trigger warning for its heart-wrenching depth. However, Dog Years is the highlight. Opening on haunting guitar, the sinister track maintains a chilling sound throughout, with unique lyrics, an eerie chorus and a second verse akin to Radiohead before the instrumentation turns heavier on the bridge.
There might be a few lulls and things get depressing at times but overall Halsey demonstrates her ability to create different atmospheres even if the tone is lyrically the same.
6/10