“Badlands”: Halsey Creates Unity Through Contrast

It’s quite remarkable when a female solo act is recognized in the music industry outside of pop culture. Currently drawing attention throughout the alternative music scene is Ashley Frangipane, better known by her stage name Halsey. At only 20 years old, she is making a mark with her recently released “Badlands. Even though her music has been compared with the likes of Lorde and Lana Del Rey, Halsey is something else altogether. She employs an eccentric musical style that works beautifully, and is unlike any other. It is often described as electronic indie, representing the prominent contrast that is felt in every part of her songs.


Each song has unique synthetic beats filled with various other sound effects, often combined with slight pauses and silence that let her voice really resonate. Over this light, snappy base floats her angel-like voice, accompanied by long mellow notes that seem out of place but work perfectly. Her voice can be so soothing and beautiful at times, yet so brutally aggressive at others, complete with varying degrees of echo that create a truly mystic vibe.

This is all to set the mood for her dark, critical lyrics, which come from a difficult past and a complex personality. “Survival of the richest,” from her latest single New Americana, and “You’re part of a machine, you’re not a human being,” from Gasoline, are a few compelling examples among many. But the most accurate representation of her talent is by far her cover of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk The Line.” Halsey took the popular 50s hit and put her own unique twist on its country origins, turning into a scratchy, psychedelic ballad. And just like the rest of her album, it sounds terrific. Be sure to check out this up-and-coming artist, if you’re looking for something different.


Ana Ghiban