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Billie Eilish: the edgy pop radical rewriting stardom's rules

20 Comments
By Maggy DONALDSON

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And with a fashion sense as unique as her sound, Eilish is the kind of female star who refuses to let the sexualization of her body define her celebrity.

This is great. So many recent singers are more like strippers who can sing a bit than actual artists. And as much as record companies complain about the internet - if it weren't for the internet, she would still be singing in her bedroom. The suits don't want new artists, they want copies of what worked before.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Not standard is the new standard

3 ( +3 / -0 )

She's overrated. That's not on her, but the internet and the industry's fault. She's not revolutionizing music or anything as is being touted; she's just found a niche that has been exploited by the music industry and media to bestow her with fake fame. Nothing against people who actually like the music she's produced, but I have my doubts that she'll ever be one of the greats, as you'd expect from the attention she's currently getting.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

She's overrated.

That's really just a matter of opinion. The music biz is always full of hype. She is about the same age as Fiona Apple was when she broke big, before she was dumped by the big money in the industry for being too real. A lot of the same criticisms were leveled at her, and she certainly turned out to be one of the greats.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

She is about the same age as Fiona Apple

I disagree with you if you're insinuating that Billie Eilish's musical talent as a singer is anywhere near comparable to Fiona Apple. And I don't mean subjectively. You're comparing apples and oranges IMO.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If all you listen to is mainstream pop music, then yes, I bet she sounds very fresh and unique. However, if you've been around the musical block and have opened your mind to different genres, I don't think you'll think of her as THAT innovative of an artist. Her music's not half bad, though! Let's just not exaggerate here, yeah?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

RecklessToday 11:52 am JST

Wow! At 18 I was delivering pizzas.

At least you were satisfying everyone !

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Billie who? Haven't heard a single song from them. Probably stay that way for the foreseeable lifetime.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Chiseled: "This girl is the real deal."

As has been said above, depends on your tastes. She's got some catchy tunes, and she definitely has a great voice, but personally I think she's not being UNDERrated, but rather the article OVERrates her. Her lyrics are incredibly childish and not very clever, and if that needs proving Bieber appears in her biggest hit.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Billie who? Haven't heard a single song from them. Probably stay that way for the foreseeable lifetime.

It's good to proud of not knowing something, I guess.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Billie who? Haven't heard a single song from them. Probably stay that way for the foreseeable lifetime.

Why?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

gravelly vocals and original punk-rock style,

nothing punk OR rock about the few songs I just listened to. It’s pop music with synths. No thanks. The music biz is no different than show biz.

The suits don't want new artists, they want copies of what worked before.

Bingo!

She’s/He’s no Peter Gabriel, though I think she thinks she is

Invalid CSRF

3 ( +3 / -0 )

she,s really pretty, but imho she would look even more pretty if she wouldn,t wear weird stuff all the time... but i get it, she wants/needs to be/look "different". about the music... bad guy song is cool, and... that,s it i guess... (for me)... she has a few good songs but she,s still very young, once she goes to the next level and stops having millions of depressed teenagers listening to her songs, she,ll be even better...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

She can connect with the newer generations that many artists can't

1 ( +1 / -0 )

JPGBJan. 28 01:18 pm JSTIf all you listen to is mainstream pop music, then yes, I bet she sounds very fresh and unique. However, if you've been around the musical block and have opened your mind to different genres, I don't think you'll think of her as THAT innovative of an artist. Her music's not half bad, though! Let's just not exaggerate here, yeah?

Better her than all that stupid 'pop tart' garbage.

rcchJan. 28 11:34 pm JSTshe,s really pretty, but imho she would look even more pretty if she wouldn,t wear weird stuff all the time... but i get it, she wants/needs to be/look "different". about the music

THAT'S the problem in music today, videogenic looks is considered more important than talent.

The suits don't want new artists, they want copies of what worked before.

Bingo!

She’s/He’s no Peter Gabriel, though I think she thinks she is

I've seen Peter Gabriel in concert twice and there's nobody else like him. He's one of a kind, period.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@commanteer @Jimizo to clarify...

It's not a knock to her but in today's age of incredibly high quality entertainment across all mediums you need to pick and choose and she doesn't really make my radar. There are countless other artists and groups I'd rather give my time to.

Also, the whole industry award nods and wins don't excite me or make me want to go out and listen to whoever.

As someone stated, to each his own.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I must admit, it was a while before I realized the talent this singer (and her brother) have. She reminds me of Kate Bush, who wrote Wuthering Heights whilst in her teens.

More power to her.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Toasted HereticJan. 29 06:43 pm JSTI must admit, it was a while before I realized the talent this singer (and her brother) have. She reminds me of Kate Bush, who wrote Wuthering Heights whilst in her teens.

More power to her

Sometimes you do find a new talent. Lindsay Sterling is an electric violin prodigy, Adele is pretty good, the Plastiscenes got together and wrote their first songs in their teens, there are other female talents who don't push their cuteness over their music.

GorramcowboyJan. 29 05:06 pm JST@commanteer @Jimizo to clarify...

It's not a knock to her but in today's age of incredibly high quality entertainment across all mediums you need to pick and choose and she doesn't really make my radar. There are countless other artists and groups I'd rather give my time to.

Also, the whole industry award nods and wins don't excite me or make me want to go out and listen to whoever.

As someone stated, to each his own.

And at the same time there is this junk where looks take precedence, like the lip-synching Spice Girls, the airhead Britney Spears, Lady Caca and all that image-savvy style-without-substance puke the media tries to shove on us.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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