Billie Eilish - 'Therefore I Am'

November 12, 2020 - Darkroom

Billie Eilish’s ‘Therefore I Am’ is a caustic diss track if there ever was one. Her signature casual close-to-the-mic vocal croonings and chattings makes the unlucky object of this song’s message feel lower than an afterthought. That famous philosophical phrase from Descartes about human self awareness, “I think therefore I am,” is used to remind whoever is listening that Billie Eilish is a human and not an object to be used for power or social gain. The track is, as expected, in a minor key, and Finneas O'Connell’s impeccable production, per usual, is subtle but thick around her like a storm with a melodic haunted house underbelly. It’s simple, confident and saucy, and at its end the objectification of Billie is removed from her and placed on the listener instead with that biting dismissal, “I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name?”

After blowing up quickly to astronomical proportions with the triumph of 2019’s macabre When We Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?, I’m sure Billie’s had to deal with many trying to claim a tie to her in some way. I continue to applaud her for staying authentic in the starry atmosphere, but this track release seems poorly timed if I’m honest. There are so many people right now trying to figure out how to stay healthy and keep their homes and put dinner on the table, while Billie is upset because desperate people are claiming to know her in an unforgiving world she’s had the right kind of luck to succeed in. We’re all desperate right now. This single is absolute venom but has no nutritional value. The music video is a fun watch though. I’m primed and ready for another album and a bit more growth, please. And my name is Lauren, by the way. ☔