BILLIE EILISH: Happier Than Ever (Polydor)
Verdict: Understated success
BARBRA STREISAND: Release Me 2 (Legacy)
Verdict: Hidden gems
When making her first album two years ago, Billie Eilish wasn't a household name.
Creating music with her brother Finneas in their childhood home, she was a rising star rather than a global phenomenon.
Now, at 19, she's one of the biggest names in pop, with seven Grammys and a Bond theme under her belt.
That debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, reached No 1 in 18 countries, and she has 88 million Instagram followers.
She's also been an inspiration to a host of other introspective teen stars, with Olivia Rodrigo the latest to take the charts by storm.
Given the anticipation surrounding her second album, a little apprehension would be understandable, with Eilish's trepidation heightened by her decision to hold the record back until live shows are again possible.
When making her first album two years ago, Billie Eilish (pictured) wasn't a household name.
That debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, reached No 1 in 18 countries
With a U.S. tour starting next month, and UK dates in June 2022, Happier Than Ever is finally here, and the singer's young, female fans will be relieved it's a smart sequel — business as usual, but with unexpected turns to tempt older listeners.
The album's 16 songs were again written and recorded by Billie and her brother, 23, at home in L
/>With no outside producers or co-writers involved, the duo's working practices weren't unduly disrupted by lockdown.
True to form, the tone is laid-back and woozy, with lots of electronic beats and hushed vocals.