Halsey's 'If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power' is Raw and Vulnerable
I will be the first to admit that I haven’t always been a fan of Halsey’s music. That’s not to say that she isn’t incredibly talented ― her stuff just wasn’t exactly my cup of tea.
However, her fourth album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, is an absolute knockout.
Halsey stated that the album was meant to depict, “the joys and horrors of pregnancy and childbirth,” something that the artist is certainly familiar with, as she became a mother to baby Ender just last month. The theme of the album volleys back and forth between stability and comfort, and self-sabotage and devastation ― a blend that creates a sense of unease within the listener.
The album was produced by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, with features from legends like Dave Grohl, and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac.
Released on August 27th, the album was a bold, theatrical statement that came without the release of singles, and was bolstered by a R-rated film of the same name that utilizes a Game of Thrones-esque style to further explore the theme of the album in a visual manner.
The music on the album is just as complex as the theme and pulls from a variety of influences. “Easier Than Lying” is heavily infused with gritty rock, and is reminiscent of the film scores produced by Reznor and Ross ― particularly that of Natural Born Killers.
“Honey” features Dave Grohl on the drums and sounds like Garbage from the early 90s, while “Lilith” focuses on self-sabotage. “I am disruptive / I’ve been corrupted / and by now I don’t need a fucking introduction,” she sings. “I fuck things up if you noticed / have you noticed? Tell me, have you noticed?” she croons in the chorus, goading the listener into recognizing her self-awareness.
“Darling” is a gentler folk infused song that features Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar work and serves as an ode to Halsey’s newborn baby, particularly when she sings, “I’ll kidnap all the stars and I will keep them in your eyes.”
In a post on Instagram, Halsey celebrated the release of her album by saying, “7 years ago I was 19 and in an apartment in New York working on my debut album and waxing poetic about wanting to make a record that felt like ‘industrial pop a la Nine Inch Nails.’ I was not brave enough nor experienced enough to nail such a conquest. Years went by of facading confidence, whilst shrinking beneath the weight of my own imposter syndrome. As it would have it fate, or hard work, or something lead me to Trent and Atticus. They saw a festering crack in my armor and forced it open from miles away.”
She went on to say, “This is the album I have always wanted to make, but never believed I was cool enough. There are not enough words to thank them for taking a chance on me and lending me their genius talent. I hope you love our very unlikely and very special matrimony.”
Don’t worry, Halsey. We do.
However, her fourth album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, is an absolute knockout.
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| Photo via Variety |
Halsey stated that the album was meant to depict, “the joys and horrors of pregnancy and childbirth,” something that the artist is certainly familiar with, as she became a mother to baby Ender just last month. The theme of the album volleys back and forth between stability and comfort, and self-sabotage and devastation ― a blend that creates a sense of unease within the listener.
The album was produced by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, with features from legends like Dave Grohl, and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac.
Released on August 27th, the album was a bold, theatrical statement that came without the release of singles, and was bolstered by a R-rated film of the same name that utilizes a Game of Thrones-esque style to further explore the theme of the album in a visual manner.
 |
| Snapshot from the film, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power. Photo via Rolling Stone |
The music on the album is just as complex as the theme and pulls from a variety of influences. “Easier Than Lying” is heavily infused with gritty rock, and is reminiscent of the film scores produced by Reznor and Ross ― particularly that of Natural Born Killers.
“Honey” features Dave Grohl on the drums and sounds like Garbage from the early 90s, while “Lilith” focuses on self-sabotage. “I am disruptive / I’ve been corrupted / and by now I don’t need a fucking introduction,” she sings. “I fuck things up if you noticed / have you noticed? Tell me, have you noticed?” she croons in the chorus, goading the listener into recognizing her self-awareness.
“Darling” is a gentler folk infused song that features Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar work and serves as an ode to Halsey’s newborn baby, particularly when she sings, “I’ll kidnap all the stars and I will keep them in your eyes.”
In a post on Instagram, Halsey celebrated the release of her album by saying, “7 years ago I was 19 and in an apartment in New York working on my debut album and waxing poetic about wanting to make a record that felt like ‘industrial pop a la Nine Inch Nails.’ I was not brave enough nor experienced enough to nail such a conquest. Years went by of facading confidence, whilst shrinking beneath the weight of my own imposter syndrome. As it would have it fate, or hard work, or something lead me to Trent and Atticus. They saw a festering crack in my armor and forced it open from miles away.”
She went on to say, “This is the album I have always wanted to make, but never believed I was cool enough. There are not enough words to thank them for taking a chance on me and lending me their genius talent. I hope you love our very unlikely and very special matrimony.”
Don’t worry, Halsey. We do.
Listen to the album below:
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