In advance of her full-length debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie Eilish delivers the entertaining, haunting single, “Bury a friend.”

“What do you want from me? Why don’t you run from me? / What are you wondering? What do you know?” Sigh, it’s finally happening.  17-year old rising alternative-pop artist Billie Eilish is releasing her full-length, debut studio album, When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Quite a title, isn’t it?  Eilish has been building towards her full-length slowly, but surely, dropping awesome gems such as “Lovely” (with Khalid) and the bold “You should see me in a crown”.  While “Lovely” doesn’t make the cut on When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, “crown” does, as does the intriguing, truly ‘alternative’ single at hand, “Bury a friend.”  

“Step on the glass, staple your tongue / Bury a friend, try to wake up / Cannibal class, killing the son / Bury a friend, I wanna end me.” Just to reiterate, the ‘alternative’ is full throttle on “Bury a friend.” This is a left of center joint from the jump.  The kick drum dominant groove is unique, and has a haunting, enigmatic sensibility.  That sensibility on extends with the undertone, nonchalant vocals by Eilish, as well as the minimalist nature of the overall production.  The first time listening to “Bury a friend,” it’s certainly not out of the question to ask yourself, WTF is going on?  At the same time, the things that Eilish and producer/co-writer FINNEAS concoct is distinct – much different from the majority of music currently heard on the airwaves.

Final Thoughts

As a young artist, Billie Eilish continues to prove time and time again that she definitely embraces innovative spirit.  “Bury a friend” is a prime example, going against the grain of much of the pop music surrounding her.  True, Eilish is categorized as an alternative artist, but she truly does live up to that label on the oddball yet scintillating “Bury a friend.”

Billie Eilish • When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? • Darkroom / Interscope • Release: 3.29.19

Photo Credits: Darkroom / Interscope