Here Lies the Great Impersonator
Halsey's newest album is great if you don't have haters in your ear
How do you review someone’s passion project? That’s something I’ve been struggling with while I stare down this post. My entire premise revolves around ranking the songs on an album, and while most of the time it comes from a place of love—publicly hating on things is for losers—this feels different. Not because the work isn’t amazing but because it’s so personal. Halsey is writing from a place of deep vulnerability, and it comes through in every word she sings. This isn’t just an album for them. It’s the album. The one they thought would be their last. She poured everything into it, and to reduce it to a numbers system doesn’t feel like doing it justice.
Halsey has never been shy when it comes to experimenting with sound, and here she takes what she has learned and tosses it all into a blender. Each song reflects a specific genre and captures a moment in time. The inspirations for each are obvious, but in a way that doesn’t take away from what Halsey is contributing. The entire rollout has been based on impersonating the music greats she looks up to, and it’s been so much fun to click on each post and get a little glimpse into their mind. In the end, though, the project stands completely on its own. As someone who considers Badlands one of the albums that changed their lives—I was a Tumblr girl, are you surprised?—it’s been a treat to watch them grow into themselves and put out music that makes them happy.
Does the album feel a bit long at times? Sure. And some of the songs blend in my mind, but can you really say something isn’t worth it when you can feel their heart behind every word?
So. In remaining true to myself and my brand, I have gone ahead and ranked the songs anyway. None of this is done with malice, and I truly do feel like every track deserves a listen. This is just a way to break down everything I felt while listening to an artist I care about grapple with mortality and how they fit into the world.
I Believe in Magic
The sentiment behind this song is beautiful. An acoustic ballad about how having their son has made them see the beauty in the world. As with most of the album, each lyric has a bittersweet edge. They reflect on their relationship with their mother and mortality and worry about how life will treat their child as he grows up. I feel like anyone who is a parent will be moved by this. I understand the sentiment and I love that they’ve created this space for their son to return to. They even have snippets of him speaking to them between the chorus and the verse. Where they lose me, however, is the 41-second-long intro. Their voice is muffled as they reflect on what I think is the weight of their diagnosis and while it’s meant to be a cool effect, I just find myself wishing the actual track would kick in.
Favorite Lyrics: I started to believe in love the day I met my little twin
The End
Another acoustic track. This is the song Halsey released to let the public know they were sick. Diagnosed with Lupus and T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in 2022 they believed they were going to die. And, with that belief, they set out to create a final project which they introduced with a voice wavering on breaking as they laid out the pain they'd been experiencing behind closed doors. It was also during this time that they met their fiancé, Avan Jogia, and as much as this is a song about their illness, it’s also about the fear of finding love while their days appear to be numbered. Luckily, they are currently in remission which makes putting this song lower on the list feel less sinister.
Favorite Lyrics: if you knew it was the end of the world, would you like to stay awhile?
Letter to God (1974)
There are three versions of Letter to God on this album; each with a year slapped on it to signify where she is in life. The concept is awesome and I love the way the thread between them shifts as she gets older. This is the first of the three and portrays the viewpoint of Halsey as a child. In it, she sings wistfully about a kid in their class who is sick. She’s envious of how much attention they get from their parents and wishes for a similar fate, assuming it’s better than what she's currently experiencing at home. The foreshadowing is tragic and the vintage tone she gives to the song really paints the picture of a sad and lonely child, unaware of what the world has in store for them.
Favorite Lyrics: Please God, I wanna be loved, I don’t wanna be somebody that they want to get rid of
Arsonist
Taking a break from the theme of mortality, Halsey delivers a jaded apology to a spurned partner. While also calling out the way that partner treated them. It’s mocking, it’s sharp, it’s a total fuck you. And one of the most unique songs on the album. Speak singing through 4 minutes of haunting piano plunks and thumping drumbeats; the result is eerie. It feels like you have to lean in to hear what she is saying and gives almost a coven vibe. Which I love.
Favorite Lyrics: arsonist burning down the world to feel its heat
Lonely is the Muse
Rock Halsey is underrated. There is a bite in their voice that works perfectly for this type of song. Which is proven by how she layers the track. You have their tone dripping with venom as they sing about how they mold themselves into whatever people want from them. Behind that, though, is a whisper of the same words that provide a haunting edge until she explodes in the chorus. And it’s a sentiment that takes us beyond the downside of pop stardom. Who hasn’t felt like they were a secondary character in someone’s life? Just there to fit into whatever narrative they need. Romantic, platonic, whatever, there is at least one person out there who you feel took advantage of you. And if not, well, maybe you ARE that person. Just saying.
Favorite Lyrics: I can always reassemble to fit perfectly for you
Letter to God (1983)
The second installment of the trilogy finds Halsey as an adult. They reminisce about the boyfriend they had in Brooklyn and the friends who died young due to drug use. They've made it to 28, but now there are also track marks on their arms; only theirs are from medical procedures and tests. Halsey recalls the prayer they made as a child and wonders if God is giving a delayed response. It’s the desperation to change their fate that drives this interlude. They twist the words from wishing for illness to wishing for the universe to take its cruel fate back. The vintage sound is still there, but now it’s presented as a live performance that makes you feel like you’re back in the 70s. Which perfectly sets up the next section of the album.
Favorite Lyrics: Until the moment I was happy then it all disintegrates
Letter to God (1998)
With the last letter, we’ve reached the Halsey of today. The track starts with a sweet conversation with their son and slowly transitions into a softer version of the prayer we’re now familiar with. The music is subdued and reflects more modern times. They’re done being angry and are now resigned to their eventual departure. They reflect on their uncertainty about who still wants to be around them and how their only joy comes from spending time with their son. It’s only at the end they break and once again question why God waited until they were happy to finally respond to their childish wish. It’s a heartbreaking conclusion, the only bit of light coming from the audience knowing that for right now, they’re okay.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m screaming please God oh you’ve gotta be sick
Darwinism
If I were rating just off the music, this might have sunk lower on the list. It’s a simple piano track meant to put Halsey’s voice front and center. Luckily, we’re going based off of words and vibes, and they are incredible. The loneliness seeps through every line as she talks about feeling like an outsider. The metaphors and comparisons used to express this fear of winding up alone hit unexpectedly. Cliches are questioned as she examines the differences between the people that seem to know what they’re doing with their lives and the isolation she is experiencing. It’s one of the songs that made me pause when I first listened, and if anything, I think the simplicity of production just makes it shine brighter.
Favorite Lyrics: What if I’m just cosmic dust?
Dog Years
Grunge Halsey is awesome. The anger is palpable as they allow the pessimism to fully take over. They're tired and, for lack of better terms, want to be put out of their misery. They envision what comes next and how much of a relief it will be to set free of their pain. One of the perks is that they’ll be reunited with their recently deceased dog. Which is the inspiration behind this entire analogy. It’s absolutely gutting when you break the lyrics down. Through it all, there is a stubbornness, as they describe themselves as still having a bite. Whether they realize it or not, there is still a fight to be had, and it’s morbidly fascinating to hear them struggle with that.
Favorite Lyrics: I didn’t ask to live but dying’s up to me
Hurt Feelings
Another glimpse into Halsey’s childhood; they recount the strained relationship they had with their father and how it has impacted them since leaving home. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t completely leave behind the hurt child she was. It’s a pretty straightforward song and almost a relief to be able to look back on a time further in Halsey’s past. Still, it hits the heartstrings of anyone who knows what it’s like to carry childhood trauma with them. (And no, Mom, if you’re reading this, it isn’t about you guys.)
Favorite Lyrics: that girl will be a problem only if you let her, and I left her back home, but I cannot forget her
Lucky
The only bubbegum pop track on the album, the chorus is a repurposed version of the Britney Spears classic. In this version, Halsey switches to a first-person narrative. There is no hiding behind a character; this is about their own struggles with the public’s perception of them. As with any great pop song, the music is bright and glittery, meant to soften the blow of some of the saddest lyrics you will ever hear. Another great example of this is I Wish You Would by Taylor Swift. Here, the tragedy is how Halsey was clearly struggling but no one noticed, happier to gossip and assume the worst. It’s a warning for how pop culture is generally consumed by the public, but sadly, it will fall on deaf ears.
Favorite Lyrics: Everybody get in line to meet the girl who flew too high
Only Living Girl in LA
Picking an opening track that is 6 minutes long and assuming your listener’s attention won’t drift is bold. Especially when it’s a softer song, relying on guitar and the rawness of Halsey’s voice. It works, though. The perfect thesis for what they're about to present to us. It’s slow, it’s intentional, and it makes sure you are going to listen to every word. The first verse swings big with a mention of how they view their future funeral. From there, they continue to wrestle with living in a world that doesn’t stop just because they're in pain. I know I keep talking about the power of their vocals on this album, but that’s because they're incredible. There is no hiding the range of emotions they felt while recording this. And that is what makes this entire project stand out to me.
Favorite Lyrics: Cause I don’t know if I could sell out my own funeral
Hometown
As someone who also holds no special nostalgia for their hometown, this song speaks to me. Anytime someone tells me they’re moving to that area, I’m like, wtf is wrong with you? I couldn’t run out of there fast enough. And on this Dolly-inspired country track, Halsey perfectly expresses why it feels so refreshing to get out of your tiny town. Lamenting about a former classmate who died while they were still young, Halsey juxtaposes their relief from escaping to what it must be like to be forever encapsulated at seventeen. The verses invoke the innocence of childhood and the American dream but never sugarcoat the sadness of outgrowing the place that raised you.
Favorite Lyrics: There ain’t a reason on this Earth I’d go back to my hometown
I Never Loved You
On an album where there are a lot of literal hospital mentions, using a failed operation as an analogy for a dying relationship is interesting. It also immediately paints a vibrant picture of what she’s trying to convey. The narrative switches between referring to the body as “her” and jumping into first person for the chorus, yet the sentiment is clear. The relationship was toxic and ended in a painful death—metaphorically—yet she doesn’t want to hold onto any anger or resentment. Instead, Halsey wishes their former partner well, giving them permission to mourn them however they see fit. It's not their problem anymore.
Favorite Lyrics: The Surgeon said “She had a hole in her heart” but it wasn’t her fault it was there from the start
The Great Impersonator
As a recovering people pleaser, I adore this song. The title track of the album, Halsey perfectly captures what it feels like to pull yourself apart to keep whoever is around you happy. Keep things sparkly, and no one will look close enough to see the cracks! Their life is a circus, and they manage to make this track sound like one. The music is whimsical, and they make odd noises throughout that could be distracting but just reflect the chaos going on in their mind. Underneath it is the continued theme of mortality. She questions if stories die once the person is no longer around to tell them and how much anyone truly cares to keep a legacy going. Through it all, there is a hopefulness that is most likely part of the act but still has you leaving the album with a surprising lightness.
Favorite Lyrics: Hope they spell my name right in the paper, in here lies the great impersonator
Ego
A perfect pop punk song. This would have gone hard in the mid-2000s, which is the vibe Halsey is going for. And it goes just as hard here. It’s the track that is set up for radio play, and I can see why she promoted it as a single. Everything about it just works. And the lyrics are so much fun to belt out. While once again being so depressing when you actually look at them. Basically, the ideal car karaoke track.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m all grown up but somehow lately, I’m acting like a fucking baby
Panic Attack
The Stevie Nicks track. The inspiration shines through brightly here and gives the song such a cool vibe. The beat is mellow, and Halsey's voice sounds smooth as they compare their newest relationship to a panic attack. They want to fall for him but are scared—both because of the potential heartbreak and the uncertainty of their future. It’s a sentiment that, although not on the same scale, is completely relatable to anyone who has ever fallen for someone.
Favorite Lyrics: is it love or a panic attack?
Life of The Spider (Draft)
Halsey has called this their saddest track, and I have to agree. Recorded to replicate a voice memo, it is just them and their piano. The result is a breathtaking ballad that cumulates everything that’s been building in them the past two years. Their voice breaks and regains strength throughout the song and rendered me speechless the first time I heard it. And while there are other songs on the album that are belt in the car worthy, this is the one that I keep going back to.
Favorite Lyrics: And I know you hate the sight of me, I haunt you when you’re fast asleep
Let me know what you think of the album! Any tracks that I ranked criminally low or unbelievably high?