Great Impersonator

by Halsey

Overview

Step right up and marvel at The Great Impersonator, wherein pop chameleon Halsey finds inspiration in some of the most influential artists of her time, assembling a rich collage of sounds that balances her confessional singer/songwriter vulnerability with artistic fearlessness. Building upon 2021's revelatory opus If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, Impersonator continues in that exploratory vein with the help of the album's conceptual conceit. Adopting the personas of her favorite icons through the decades (and even her 2014 self), Halsey crafts faithful sound-alikes on the more exciting cuts, while absorbing the energy of others on less obvious selections. Indeed, part of the fun is trying to hear how Halsey chose to honor her inspirations, providing a fascinating view into her creative process. Even without peeking at the notes, some are immediately apparent: Stevie Nicks twirls through the instantly familiar "Panic Attack"; PJ Harvey slinks out of the dark on the dissonant "Dog Years"; Britney Spears' bittersweet lyrics are interpolated on the Monica-sampling ode "Lucky"; and Bruce Springsteen leaps from the "I'm On Fire"-esque "Letter to God (1983)." Meanwhile, Joni Mitchell's patient guitar work and sparse vocal harmony inform "The End"; Dolores O'Riordan's signature "doo doo doo" vocalizations pepper the coming-of-age rocker "Ego"; Dolly Parton stomps along to the charming, down-home jam "Hometown"; and Starman-era Bowie drifts through the lonely, piano-backed "Darwinism" (which sounds like it could have been on If I Can't Have Love¿). Kate Bush (the shimmering pop gem "I Never Loved You"), Cher ("Letter to God [1974]"), Linda Ronstadt ("I Believe in Magic"), Fiona Apple (the jazzy, trip-hoppy haunter "Arsonist"), and Evanescence's Amy Lee (the dramatic rocker "Lonely Is the Muse") are also along for the ride. Digging deeper, less obvious allusions buffer the journey, like on the touching "Letter to God (1998)" -- which incorporates vocal samples of Halsey's child in the spirit of the baby coos from Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody?" -- and "Life of the Spider (Draft)," an unflinching, unpolished piano confessional inspired by Tori Amos. On an album of standout moments and exciting surprises, the delightful title track -- inspired by Björk -- is an absolute highlight, fluttering along harp trills colored by electric guitar riffs, and punctuated by playful, sprite-like vocalizations unlike anything Halsey's ever sung before. If that seems like a lot, it is. However, with such variation in styles and approach, The Great Impersonator reveals something new with each listen, it's a rewarding experience for longtime fans and curious newcomers alike. Mining her musical upbringing and honoring her myriad inspirations, Halsey comes full circle, connecting her own youth and innocence with intimate adult ruminations on parenthood, aging, and legacy. It's an engrossing homage to the figures that made her into the artist -- and inspiration -- that she has become herself. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/2024
Label:	Columbia Records
UPC:	0198028488426

Tracks

1. Only Living Girl in LA
2. Ego
3. Dog Years
4. Letter to God [1974]
5. Panic Attack
6. The End
7. I Believe in Magic
8. Letter to God [1983]
9. Hometown
10. I Never Loved You
11. Darwinism
12. Lonely is the Muse
13. Arsonist
14. Life of the Spider [Draft]
15. Hurt Feelings
16. Lucky
17. Letter to God [1998]
18. The Great Impersonator

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Halsey   Primary Artist
Greg Kurstin   Bass,Drums,Percussion,Guitar (Electric)
Dylan Wiggins   Drums,Keyboards
Alex G   Guitar
Alex Giannascoli   Guitar
Austin Corona   Guitar
Michael Uzowuru   Keyboards
Wyatt Bernard   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Max Martin   Composer,Lyricist
Stuart Price   Composer,Lyricist,Additional Production
Greg Kurstin   Composer,Engineer,Lyricist,Producer
Alexander Kronlund   Composer,Lyricist
Halsey   Additional Production,Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Julian Burg   Engineer
Dylan Wiggins   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Alex G   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Additional Production
Brandon Buttner   Producer,Vocal Engineer,Additional Production
Gabe Simon   Producer
Alex Giannascoli   Producer
Rahm Silverglade   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Additional Production
Matt Wolach   Assistant Engineer
Teo Halm   Additional Production
Sean Matsukawa   Engineer
Austin Corona   Producer
Wyatt Bernard   Producer
Travon Potts   Composer,Lyricist
James Everette Lawrence   Composer,Lyricist
John Cunningham   Composer,Lyricist,Additional Production
Tyler Johnson   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Evan Vidar   Producer
Randy Merrill   Mastering Engineer
Rami Yacoub   Composer,Lyricist
Emile Haynie   Producer
Michael Uzowuru   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Caleb Laven   Producer,Vocal Producer
Matt Tuggle   Engineer
Thelonious Martin   Additional Production
Kieran Beardmore   Assistant Engineer
Caroline Whitaker   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Gregory Hein   Composer,Lyricist
Ender Ridley   Composer,Lyricist
Mark "Spike" Stent   Mixing Engineer