Saturday 3rd June.
The next instalment from the weekly treasure trove of New Music Friday comes from New Jersey singer songwriter Halsey. The second track on her newly released sophomore album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, 100 Letters is one of the best new songs of the week. Along with singles Eyes Closed and Now Or Never, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom builds on the already established sound that Halsey delivered on her breakthrough debut Badlands.
A modern take on the concept album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom is composed around Halsey’s rediscovery of her own self following a relationship breakup. The story however is told through the lens of a modern Romeo and Juliet narrative, related motifs dotted throughout the record, including a sonnet recital on the opening Prologue. Working alongside Baz Luhrmann to construct her artistic vision, it is clear that Halsey’s artistic intentions are greater and far more ambitious than many of her contemporaries. Having been greatly inspired by Luhrmann’s Romeo +Juliet, its influence echoes throughout Halsey’s work, running through both the music and video accompaniments. Hopeless Fountain Kingdom is a great example of artistically driven electronic pop, and it’s another great record from Halsey.
Stay tuned for more of this week’s new releases from the likes of Lorde, Steven Wilson, Dua Lipa and Marika Hackman.
New Music Every Day. 