Halsey, Finally // beautiful stranger | Track Review 🎵

Halsey drops an uncharacteristic, but brilliant love song, “Finally // beautiful stranger,” ahead of her highly anticipated third LP, Manic (2020).

“Beautiful stranger, here you are in my arms and I know / That beautiful strangers only come along to do me wrong /… But I think it’s finally, finally, finally, finally safe / For me to fall…” .Halsey experienced a good year in 2019, releasing numerous singles in advance of her third studio album, Manic.  Manic ranks among the most highly anticipated album releases of 2020, thanks to the popularity of the alternative pop artist, as well as her number one hit single, “Without Me”.  Alongside the brief but pleasant “SUGA’s Interlude”, Halsey released the full-length single, “Finally // beautiful stranger.”

“Finally // beautiful stranger” is quite different from “SUGA’s Interlude,” as well as the advance singles that precede it.  There is more of a pop/rock, singer/songwriter vibe from the onset.  Also, it just happens to be a love song, as the aforementioned chorus confirms. The rich, robust rhythmic guitars are a bit unexpected, given the amount of electronic sounds usually associated with Halsey’s music.   This surprising change of pace is actually a good look, rather sound, for the musician.  Vocally, she sounds alluring, giving a relatively balanced performance, yet also bringing a bit more oomph on the chorus.

Besides superb production courtesy of Greg Kurstin, the songwriting is strong.  Halsey sings lovingly of her boo with an assortment of charming and descriptive lyrics such as “You got hips like Jagger and two left feet” (verse one) and “Used to think that loving meant a painful chase / But you’re right here now and I think you’ll stay” (verse two).  In addition to the memorable chorus, and lyrical highlights from the two verses, the pre-chorus is pretty sweet as well, particularly as she sings, “I’ve never seen a mouth that I would kill to kiss / And I’m terrified, but the truth is this…”

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Halsey shines on “Finally // beautiful stranger.” Considering this is supposedly the first love song she’s ever written, it’s a truly good one.  To recap, “Finally // beautiful stranger” shines thanks to production, vocals, songwriting, and a ‘change of pace’ in regard to sound.  Sure, “SUGA’s Interlude” was nice enough, but “Finally // beautiful stranger” is much sweeter.

Halsey • Manic • Capitol • Release: 1.17.20

Photo Credit: Capitol