Happier Than Ever

A collection of torch songs set to meditative tempos that transition into electric-guitar-driven catharsis.

Happier Than Ever is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, released by Darkroom and Interscope Records on July 30, 2021. Co-written with her brother Finneas O'Connell, who also produced the record and played every instrument, it draws heavily from Eilish's rise to fame and the drawbacks that come with it. Primarily a downtempo pop album characterized by sparse, jazz-influenced arrangements set to meditative tempos, it departs from the upbeat, trap-led sound of her 2019 debut. The lyrics deal with struggles faced by young women in the entertainment industry, including emotional abuse, power struggles, mistrust, and misogyny.

Quick Facts

Artist: Billie Eilish
Released: 30 July 2021
Recorded: Late July 2019 – February 2021
Studio: Finneas's home studio (Los Angeles, California)
Genre: Electropop; jazz pop
Length: 56:07
Label: Darkroom; Interscope
Producer: Finneas O'Connell

Lore & Background

The creative process for Happier Than Ever was rooted in self-reflection during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period Eilish described as feeling "very natural" compared to the pressure and anxiety of her debut. She aimed to create a "timeless record" inspired by jazz singers like Julie London, Peggy Lee, and Frank Sinatra, while also forcing herself out of her comfort zone with tracks like "NDA." The album's final tracklist consists of 16 songs, but additional songs were worked on and omitted; two omitted tracks, "What I Wanna Hear" and "Born Blue," were left out because Eilish "just couldn't figure them out." Notably, the title track was written years earlier during the European leg of her When We All Fall Asleep Tour. Despite the album's title, Eilish revealed that "almost none of the songs on this album are joyful," with tracks like "Male Fantasy" helping her process feelings she had not previously addressed.

Reader's Guide

Released on July 30, 2021, the album was recorded at Finneas O'Connell's home studio in Los Angeles between April 1, 2020, and February 16, 2021. The project spawned seven singles: "My Future," "Therefore I Am," "Your Power," "Lost Cause," "NDA," the title track, and "Male Fantasy." The first three of these peaked within the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, with "Therefore I Am" reaching number two, followed by "My Future" at number six and "Your Power" at number 10. Upon release, the album debuted atop the Billboard 200, marking Eilish's second number-one album in the United States, while also topping charts in 27 other countries. It received seven Grammy nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. To promote the record, Eilish performed the tracks in the Disney+ concert film "Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles" (September 2021) and embarked on her sixth concert tour from February 2022 to April 2023.

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1	Getting Older	4:04
2	I Didn't Change My Number	2:38
3	Billie Bossa Nova	3:16
4	My Future	3:30
5	Oxytocin	3:30
6	Goldwing	2:31
7	Lost Cause	3:32
8	Halley's Comet	3:54
9	Not My Responsibility	3:47
10	Overheated	3:34
11	Everybody Dies	3:26
12	Your Power	4:05
13	NDA	3:15
14	Therefore I Am	2:53
15	Happier Than Ever	4:58
16	Male Fantasy	3:14
Total length		56:07

Did You Know?

The final track, "Male Fantasy," helped Eilish realize feelings she had not processed before, while the opening track, "Getting Older," addresses themes of growing up, fame, and emotional abuse.
A limited vinyl edition released on December 2 was made from recycled vinyl pellets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Happier Than Ever?

Happier Than Ever is Billie Eilish's second studio album, released in 2021 under the Darkroom and Interscope labels. It represents a significant artistic shift from her debut, blending intimate acoustic moments with explosive rock anthems to document her transition into adulthood.

Who produced the Happier Than Ever album?

The record was primarily crafted by Billie Eilish herself alongside her brother and frequent collaborator, Finneas O'Connell. Their partnership continued to define the project's unique sonic landscape, moving away from external producers to maintain creative control.

What albums surround Happier Than Ever in her discography?

This project serves as the mature follow-up to her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. It was later succeeded by her third studio effort, Hit Me Hard and Soft, which arrived in 2024.