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Halsey drops a remix of her soulful standout “Alone” from ‘Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.’ She’s assisted by Big Sean and Stefflon Don.

Halsey returned in 2017 with her highly-anticipated sophomore album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.  Hopeless Fountain Kingdom was so anticipated due to the success of her debut, Badlands, particularly catchy, memorable single, “New Americana.” One of the highlights from HFK was fifth track “Alone,” which has been released as a single featuring Big Sean and Stefflon Don nearly a year later. Some key aspects made it a standout prior to the additional personnel.  It samples a popular soul gem, “Nothing Can Stop Me”, courtesy of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.  Fans of R&B and urban contemporary music will recognize the sample as the fuel for Jaheim hit, “Could it Be” from his debut album, Ghetto Love.

Vocally, Halsey exhibits a beautiful tone. She opts for a more soulful, R&B oriented sound, matching the vintage backdrop.  Interestingly, she references how she’s changed over the years.

“She said she told you she knows me, but the face isn’t right

She asked if I recognized her and I told her I might.”

On the chorus, Halsey asserts that the lover that wants her will be surprised and perhaps disappointed by how she’s changed.

“I know you’re dying to meet me

But I can just tell you this

Baby, as soon as you meet me

You’ll wish that you never did.”

But that’s all the familiar stuff.  How does the remix differ from one of the most underrated gems from Hopeless Fountain Kingdom? Big Sean replaces the original Halsey second verse with a relatively agile, rapped verse.  The vibe is nice, but the original verse remains king.  Stefflon Don drops the third verse, which is shorter, predictably tropically-tinged, and features a beat switch.  Okay, but again, the original remains the one to beat.

Final Thoughts

Does the remix of “Alone” trump the original? No.  Halsey has a great thing going with the original version of “Alone” on Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.  The remix is interesting enough, but the original is king.

Halsey • Alone (Ft. Big Sean & Stefflon Don) – Single • Astralwerks • Release: 3.16.18 

Photo Credit: Astralwerks