In the current world, with the majority of the population in social distancing and isolation, motivation has been difficult to find. Nevertheless, there are a lot of people who look at this through different perspectives, seeing opportunities and chances to seize them. The O’Connell siblings are a great example of making good use of their quiet time. During a period in history when the world itself seems to have come to a halt and the future is uncertain, Billie and Finneas tackled these personal uncertainties while creating one of their most personal and uplifting songs to date, something their audience needed.
“My Future” (stylized in lowercase) is Billie Eilish’s first song after making history as the youngest singer to record the James Bond theme song and the first woman in 61 years of Grammy ceremonies to sweep all of the big four categories of the awards. The song, released on July 30 of 2020, is described as an uptempo R&B and lo-fi based ballad with influences of Soul and Jazz. This piece serves as a reminder that even though the present times are disastrous and potentially depressing, there is still hope for a better future and self-improvement; it is a tune about silver-linings, independence, and self-love.
Born from Isolation
This is the first piece of music the pair worked on during quarantine; Billie found herself in a contemplative headspace, thinking about her past and the effects it had on her outlook on life and the future. Her older brother, Finneas, understood her aim and masterfully produced a piece that reflected the positivity of his sister’s lyrics in the way that only a sibling could understand. Solitude was a cause for despair on “when the party’s over”, but now, almost two years later, she’s attempting to find happiness and take it for herself.
“My Future” begins with mellow and gloomy characteristics; with Eilish’s soulful, layered vocals stacked on top of atmospheric keyboards and a melancholic melody and a synthesizer as the dominant instrument. Halfway through, though, the percussive beat and electric guitar kick in, transforming into a confident and upbeat search for a bright future. Billie expresses that there is no need for her to be in a relationship as she is only invested in becoming the best version of herself: “I’m in love with my future/Can’t wait to meet her.”
The song lyrics take a jab at the fear of being lonely, insinuating that we do not need someone else to feel complete: “I know supposedly I’m lonely now/Know I’m supposed to be unhappy without someone/But aren’t I someone?”. The track was promoted by sharing cover art, which features a drawing of herself sitting under a tree while looking at the moon, its blue colors and spiritual vibe go along with the theme of the single. This same art was used for the animated music video, which was directed by Australian director Andrew Onorato.
Photo from Andrew Onorato's Website
This great song could even be longer for our enjoyment and to have a long-lasting feeling of purpose. A longer ending for this song, such as an instrumental outro, would be a good addition to this piece. The instruments played throughout the song set in a perfect mood and to have Billie's last vocals be followed by a different, longer ending would work great for maintaining that hopeful vibe until the end.
A Warm Reception
As a music student, the production of this song is something to love. Every instrument can be heard and appreciated, the energy of the song can be felt due to the healthy variety in the dynamic range, and no brassy loud sound is masking away the more delicate tunes of the song. A change in tempo and addition of new instruments halfway through the song energizes the listeners, making them follow the narrative the siblings are taking them through and ultimately relate to Eilish’s hopeful outlook in life.
Following the release of "My Future", the song debuted at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated August 15, 2020, becoming Eilish's third top 10 hit in the United States and her highest debut on the chart. The track also peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, becoming Eilish's first number one hit on that chart. "My Future" achieved major success in Europe as well, reaching number 7 on the UK Singles' Chart, becoming Eilish's fifth top 10 in the United Kingdom. Needless to say, this was a major success for her, and the right step for her desired future.
Photo from Kevin Winter/Getty Images
This is the type of positive pop we as an audience need nowadays. Tunes that energize us and motivates us to become better and fight through these difficult times. It is an ode to self-love and a condemnation to dependence on others, and personally, my favorite Billie Eilish song to date. It is not quite clear if this is the first piece of a second album but, if it is, it suggests a brighter set of songs could lie ahead. With an artist as unpredictable and inventive as Eilish, though, it seems futile to try and predict what she’ll do next. Nevertheless, I am hopeful and looking forward to the type of content she will create in the future.
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