The last week of August was an eventful one in the music world. On August 27th Halsey dropped their anticipated fourth album titled If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. The latest record, which was produced by Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross, centers on the extremities Halsey experienced in her personal life lately. More specifically, the concept of the album is “about the joys and horrors of pregnancy and childbirth,” according to the singer.
For Halsey, this album is both a homage to 1990s rock roots and a sort of pivot away from what we’ve heard from them up to this point. It was also an interesting moment for Reznor and Ross, who don’t often endeavor to produce whole albums for other artists. For them, it was a chance to work with a new voice and a fresh perspective. The result of this combination is “noisy, desolate, sometimes assaultive tracks that still resolve into neat verses, choruses, and hooks,” according to the New York Times.
Overall, the album is a profound dive into Halsey’s introspection and newfound motherhood, and it’s clear that it was a deeply meaningful project for the singer. One listener who couldn’t contain her excitement about it was Taylor Swift, who tweeted “I’m blown away by @halsey’s artistry and commitment to taking risks.” We couldn’t agree more.
