After quickly rising to fame as co-writer and producer for his sister Billie Eilish and winning big-category Grammys for his sleek, intimate approach to both disciplines, Finneas O'Connell makes his full-length solo debut with Optimist. It follows a second chart-topping Eilish album, Happier Than Ever, by three months. Taking its title from a reluctant line in the first track, Optimist is somewhat of a departure from the brooding, often suffocating tone of his kid sister's prior releases while at the same time indulging and ...
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After quickly rising to fame as co-writer and producer for his sister Billie Eilish and winning big-category Grammys for his sleek, intimate approach to both disciplines, Finneas O'Connell makes his full-length solo debut with Optimist. It follows a second chart-topping Eilish album, Happier Than Ever, by three months. Taking its title from a reluctant line in the first track, Optimist is somewhat of a departure from the brooding, often suffocating tone of his kid sister's prior releases while at the same time indulging and repurposing his trademark sound. The most notable difference between the siblings is FINNEAS' warmer, more assertive vocal presence on an album that's immersed in the absurdities and anxieties of its time. Released about a year-and-a-half into an ongoing pandemic with lingering touring ramifications Stateside, it opens with lead single "A Concert Six Months from Now." Part lockdown fantasy and part un-breakup song, it looks forward to the possibility of both a show and a reconciliation in the distant-but-not-too-distant future. Beginning with strummed acoustic guitar, a flash of crowd noise, and melancholy, double-tracked octave vocals, it introduces distorted rock guitar and drums at the midway point, coinciding with lines like "I've been thinking too much/And it's ruined my nights" and "My heart doesn't slow down/When you kill the lights." The song closes on acoustic guitar, soft strings, and an invitation. The overcast-but-hopeful outlook continues on "The Kids Are All Dying," a song whose teasing tone, playful toy keyboard timbre, and stomping beat are offset by lyrics questioning the act of writing songs about sex, drugs, and rock & roll when the day's news -- and planet's future -- is so grim. Later, the slinky pop tune "The 90s" romanticizes a simpler time without smartphones. That song underscores lyrics about the heavy mental burden of worry with woozy, processed vocal effects. Contrasting these thoughtful Zoomer anthems are tuneful piano ballads like "Love Is Pain" and the heartrending (and again hopeful) "What They'll Say About Us," as well as catchier R&B-pop ("Happy Now") and the eerie, intimate electro-pop of "Around My Neck." While Optimist makes a good case for FINNEAS' skills around a pop melody and a perceptive viewpoint, he also drops the instrumental piano piece "Peaches Etude" in the middle of the track list. Accordingly, the album plays like a portfolio, perhaps fitting for a musician still sorting out and amplifying his potential. ~ Marcy Donelson, Rovi
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Add this copy of Optimist to cart. $3.00, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Interscope.
Add this copy of Optimist to cart. $3.26, good condition, Sold by Bookmans rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tucson, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by OYOY, Inc. /Interscope.
Add this copy of Optimist to cart. $3.50, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by OYOY, Inc. /Interscope.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Optimist (White Vinyl) to cart. $19.99, good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Oyoy, INC.
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Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Optimist to cart. $25.35, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2021 by Interscope.
Add this copy of Optimist (White Vinyl) to cart. $31.17, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Oyoy, INC.
Add this copy of Optimist (Walmart Exclusive) [Vinyl] to cart. $66.86, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published by Oyoy, INC.
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