Hailee Steinfeld, Wrong Direction | Track Review 🎵

Hailee Steinfeld starts 2020 off right with the superb, heartbroken pop ballad, “Wrong Direction.”  Nothing wrong with the direction here.

“I don’t hate you / No I couldn’t if I wanted to / I just hate all the hurt that you put me through.”  Those are the heartbroken lyrics that commence “Wrong Direction,” the first Hailee Steinfeld single of 2020.  Released on New Year’s Day, sure, her ex might’ve pulled her in the ‘wrong direction,’ but the direction of this pop ballad itself is 100% perfect for the rising star.

First and foremost, Steinfeld delivers expressive, nuanced vocals.  If there was any doubt about her vocal abilities, she shuts that down early on. Working with convincing, heartbroken lyrics (she co-writes with Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Skyler Stonestreet, and Stephen “Koz” Kozmeniuk who also produces), she matches the vibe vocally, exhibiting her vulnerability.  On the pre-chorus, she admits:

“Couldn’t even see you through the smoke
Lookin’ back, I probably should have known
But I just wanted to believe that you were out sleepin’ alone.”

Of course, Steinfeld has come to her senses after showcasing utter naivety. It’s happened to us all at some point. She sums up his horrid ways on the chorus, the centerpiece on this lushly produced ballad.

“Loved me with your worst intentions
Didn’t even stop to question
Every time you burned me down
Don’t know how; for a moment it felt like heaven.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Hailee Steinfeld delivers a surefire, heartbroken gem with “Wrong Direction.”  Her pain is our great listening pleasure, as Steinfeld delivers a nuanced vocal performance about a totally relatable topic.  “Wrong Direction” doesn’t rewrite pop music by any means, but this four-minute-plus bop certainly kicks off 2020 with a bang.  Furthermore, shame on whoever had Hailee going in the wrong direction – she didn’t deserve to be treated like that!

Hailee Steinfeld • “Wrong Direction” – Single • Republic • Release: 1.1.20

Photo Credit: Republic