Halsey amps up the authenticity, exhibiting genuine emotions on the sleek, rhythmic, ‘stand-alone’ urban-pop ballad, “Without Me.”  

“I filled your cup until it overflowed / Took it so far to keep you close… / I was afraid to leave you on your own.” Alternative pop artist Halsey returns with her first, post-Hopeless Fountain Kingdom single, “Without Me.” Being authentic, genuine, and ‘true to self,’ per her Zane Lowe interview, on this “stand-alone record,” she sings from her own perspective as Ashley Frangipane.

On this slick, urban-pop record, Halsey focuses on a relationship where essentially, she was carrying the weight all by herself.  She elevates her man to the heavens and essentially, he lets it all get to his head while forgetting about and leaving the person who took him to that level. On the pre-chorus she sings:

“I said I’d catch you if you fall (fall)

And if they laugh, then f**k ‘em all (all)

And then I got you off your knees

Put you right back on your feet

Just so you could take advantage of me.”

On the chorus, Halsey confirms her role in the pedestal elevation, and now wants to know how it feels since she’s no longer in the picture and he’s fallen off.

“Tell me, how’s it feel sittin’ up there?

Feeling so high, but too far away to hold me

You know I’m the one who put you up there

Name in the sky, does it ever get lonely…”

Final Thoughts 

Take one listen to “Without Me” and it’s clear that Halsey is coming from a different place compared to other records.  Sure, “Without Me” is still sleek in production, characterized by its electronic palette of sounds, but there’s more heart and emotion vocally.  All in all, I’m onboard with this unattached, stand-alone single.

Halsey • Without Me – Single • Astralwerks • Release: 10.5.18

Photo Credit: Astralwerks