Blood Harmony Explained

Blood Harmony
Type:ep
Artist:Finneas
Cover:Finneas - Blood Harmony.png
Alt:Finneas runs away from a city, the background shows the sun setting.
Released:October 4, 2019
Genre:Pop
Length:23:18
Label:OYOY
Producer:Finneas
Next Title:Optimist
Next Year:2021

Blood Harmony is the debut extended play by American singer-songwriter Finneas. It was released by his record label OYOY, distributed by AWAL, on October 4, 2019. All of the material on the EP was produced and written by Finneas.

Blood Harmony was supported by the release of four singles, from 2018 to 2019. The lead single, "Let's Fall in Love for the Night" peaked at numbers 17 and 24 on the US Billboard Alternative Songs and Rock Airplay charts, respectively. Finneas toured the United States throughout October 2019 in support of the EP. A deluxe edition was released on August 7, 2020, featuring the 2018 single "Break My Heart Again" and a new version of "Let's Fall in Love for the Night" entitled "Let's Fall in Love for the Night (1964)". The EP peaked at number 14 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart and number 47 on the Lithuanian Albums chart.

Background and release

Finneas teased Blood Harmony in August 2019. The EP marked Finneas' first solo release after co-writing and producing material for his sister Billie Eilish for several years.[1] He expressed a desire for the "title to remain ambiguous to listeners, and for everyone to be able to imbue it with their own meaning and justification",[2] but clarified that "blood harmony" is an "expression for what it sounds like when siblings sing together, that biologic chemistry — I think that speaks for itself".[3] [4] [5]

Composition and lyrics

Blood Harmony is primarily a pop record.[3] [6] The EP opens with "I Lost a Friend", an electropop ballad.[7] The song features minimalist production of bass guitar, piano, drums, layered harmonies, an aggressive beat, and synthesizer.[8] [9] [10] Lyrically, it addresses the pain and confusion when losing a friend.[6] [8] The following track, "Shelter", is a pop-based track.[3] [4] The track features a tropical beat, electric guitar, Latin-based guitars, drum beats, gospel choir effect[s] that appear during the chorus, reverb'd handclaps, bluesy vocal embellishment, and rapid phrasing in the bridge.[4] [11] [12] Lyrically, "Shelter" is about a love for a girl that brings Finneas peace but has an undercurrent of trouble.[13] Tosten Burks, writing for Spin magazine, compared the track to the works of Ed Sheeran.[11] "Lost My Mind" is a more subdued track. Lyrically, Finneas realizes he is in love and wonders if his feelings are really true.[8]

"I Don't Miss You at All" was described as a "longing" dark pop track.[14] It sees Finneas sing about F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of the 1925 classic novel The Great Gatsby, and express his desire to reunite with his past lover while getting angry when the past seemingly blends gets into the present.[15] "Partners in Crime" addresses a story of a dangerous and fading love, and reveals the result of buying into Hollywood stereotypes of intertwining love and thrill-seeking.[8] "Let's Fall in Love for the Night" is a pop track.[16] [17] The song's lyrics are about a girl Finneas has never met in person but finds comfort by dreaming about being together with her in an alternate universe, but only temporarily.[17] [18] Blood Harmony closes with "Die Alone", a romantic meditation about love.[8]

The deluxe edition of Blood Harmony contains two extra tracks. "Break My Heart Again" is an indie pop ballad.[19] [20] [21] The sound of typing and sending messages is heard for the majority of the song,[19] [22] with it being almost entirely composed of real texts between Finneas and a former lover.[23] [24] Lyrically, Finneas confesses to being constantly hurt by the one he cares about.[19] An alternative version of "Let's Fall in Love for the Night", titled "Let's Fall in Love for the Night (1964)", is a lullaby-influenced track.[25] Critical commentary noted the influence of Frank Sinatra.[26] [27]

Release and promotion

Blood Harmony was released by Finneas' record label OYOY, and distributed by AWAL, on October 4, 2019.[28] A deluxe edition of the EP was released on August 7, 2020.[29] "Let's Fall in Love for the Night" was released as the lead single from Blood Harmony on October 19, 2018.[30] Although the song did not chart initially, it became a sleeper hit in 2020, peaking at number 17 and 24 on the US Billboard Alternative Songs and Rock Airplay charts, respectively.[31] [32] It has received a gold certification in Canada by Music Canada (MC), which denotes track-equivalent sales of forty-thousand units based on sales and streams.[33] A music video for the track was released on March 19, 2020, and received its broadcast on MTV Live, MTVU, MTV International, and the Viacom Times Square Billboards.[34] [35] [36] The music video was shot in one take and directed by Sam Bennett, while choreographed by Monika Felice Smith.[34] [36] "I Lost a Friend" was released on May 3, 2019, as the second single from Blood Harmony.[9] An accompanying music video was released on June 25, 2019, and was also directed by Bennett and shot in one take in Lanchester, California.[37] The song received a remix by Marian Hill, which was released on December 13, 2019.[38] The EP's third single, "Shelter", was released on August 22, 2019.[4] A music video for "Shelter" was directed by Bennett on September 30, 2019.[39] It was also shot in one take.[40] "I Don't Miss You at All" was released as the fourth and final single from Blood Harmony on September 30, 2019.[41]

Live performances

Finneas promoted Blood Harmony with a series of public appearances and televised live performances. He toured throughout the United States during October 2019, in support of Blood Harmony.[5] That same month, Finneas performed a majority of Blood Harmony songs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.[42] In December 2019, Finneas performed "I Lost a Friend" and "I Don't Miss You at All" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[14] On February 3, 2020, he performed "Let's Fall in Love for the Night" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and was joined by a live band.[43]

Reception

Will Richards writing for NME, said the songs on Blood Harmony are "exquisite" and have an update "with fresh, modern production tweaks".[3] For Billboard magazine, Glenn Rowley praised the EP, saying "Finneas' work as a solo artist is decidedly brighter, his soulful voice tying each song together as his lyrics swings through the vast spectrum of human emotion".[6] Nicole Almeida of Atwood Magazine wrote that Blood Harmony is the "most transitional point of Finneas' career". She continued, saying the EP is a "songwriting and production triumph".[8] Blood Harmony was a commercial underperformance, peaking at number 14 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and number 47 on the Lithuanian Albums chart.

Charts

Chart (2019-2020)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[44] 47

Notes and References

  1. Finneas Announces Debut EP 'Blood Harmony' and New Tour Dates. Billboard. Mims. Taylor. August 22, 2019. October 3, 2019.
  2. Web site: Rossignol . Derrick . August 7, 2020 . Finneas Shares A '1964' Version Of 'Let's Fall In Love For The Night,' From His Deluxe EP . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200912180214/https://uproxx.com/pop/finneas-lets-fall-in-love-1964-blood-harmony-deluxe-ep/ . September 12, 2020 . September 12, 2020 . Uproxx.
  3. Web site: Finneas – 'Blood Harmony' EP review: the Billie Eilish producer strikes out alone. Richards. Will. NME. October 2, 2019. July 30, 2020. April 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200421233052/https://www.nme.com/reviews/finneas-blood-harmony-review-2553557. live.
  4. Web site: Finneas announces debut EP, Blood Harmony, shares 'Shelter': Stream. Consequence of Sound. Kaye. Ben. August 22, 2019. September 3, 2019.
  5. Finneas Previews Debut EP 'Blood Harmony' With New Song 'Shelter'. Rolling Stone. Shaffer. Claire. August 23, 2019. October 3, 2019.
  6. Finneas Breaks Down His Striking Debut EP 'Blood Harmony': Exclusive. Rowley. Glenn. Billboard. October 4, 2019. July 30, 2020. October 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191004215407/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8532089/finneas-blood-harmony-ep-breakdown. live.
  7. Web site: Finneas performs 'I Lost a Friend', 'I Don't Miss You at All' on Kimmel: Watch. Kaye. Ben. Consequence of Sound. December 12, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  8. Web site: Review: Blood Harmony is Finneas' Immaculate First Step Into His Cinematic, Beautiful World. Almeida. Nicole. Atwood Magazine. October 4, 2019. July 30, 2020. June 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628185426/https://atwoodmagazine.com/fbhy-finneas-blood-harmony-ep-review/. live.
  9. Web site: Finneas releases heartfelt new single 'I Lost a Friend': Stream. Newcomb. Ming Lee. Consequence of Sound. May 3, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  10. The Breakdown: Finneas Explains 'Overwhelmingly Personal' Song 'I Lost a Friend'. Spanos. Brittany. Brittany Spanos . . August 9, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  11. Web site: Here's What Billie Eilish's Brother's Music Sounds Like. Burks. Tosten. Spin. August 22, 2019. July 30, 2020. July 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716144609/https://www.spin.com/2019/08/finneas-shelter-billie-eilish-brother/. live.
  12. Web site: Finneas announces debut EP with electric new single 'Shelter'. Smither. Tanis. Earmilk. September 20, 2019. September 16, 2020.
  13. Web site: Finneas Rides A 'Feverish' Wave of Love on New Song 'Shelter'. https://web.archive.org/web/20190822225855/http://www.mtv.com/news/3136151/finneas-shelter/. dead. August 22, 2019. Roth. Madeline. MTV. August 22, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  14. Finneas Mesmerizes with 'I Lost a Friend' and 'I Don't Miss You At All' on 'Kimmel': Watch. Kaufman. Gil. Billboard. December 12, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  15. Finneas Selfishly Reminds His Ex 'I Don't Miss You At All' in New Upbeat Single:Listen. Mamo. Heran. Billboard. September 20, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  16. Web site: Finneas performs 'Let's Fall in Love for the Night' on Fallon: Watch. Consequence of Sound. Kaye. Ben. February 4, 2020. April 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407233909/https://consequence.net/2020/02/finneas-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-fallon-watch/. April 7, 2020. live.
  17. Finneas Talks Newest Song 'Let's Fall in Love for the Night' & Touring With Sister Billie Eilish: Exclusive Premiere. Billboard. Bowenback. Starr. October 18, 2018. March 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190609203454/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8480615/finneas-oconnell-interview-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-single-premiere-billie-eilish-tour. June 9, 2019. live.
  18. Finneas Is Hoping to 'Fall in Love For the Night' in Whimsical New Video: Watch. Billboard. Mamo. Heran. March 19, 2020. April 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190609203454/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8480615/finneas-oconnell-interview-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-single-premiere-billie-eilish-tour. June 9, 2019. live.
  19. Web site: Premiere: Modern Love And Heartbreak in Finneas' 'Break My Heart Again'. Almeida. Nicole. Atwood Magazine. February 8, 2018. August 10, 2020. June 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200620041704/https://atwoodmagazine.com/bmha-finneas-break-heart-again/. live.
  20. Web site: Hitmaker Billie Eilish's producer and only songwriting partner? Her brother. Riemenschneider. Chris. Star Tribune. June 1, 2019. August 10, 2020. December 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214090150/http://www.startribune.com/hitmaker-billie-eilish-s-producer-and-only-songwriting-partner-her-brother/510634622/?refresh=true. live.
  21. Web site: Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now. D'Souza. Shaad. Paper. August 7, 2020. August 10, 2020.
  22. Web site: Meet a Musician From a Family of Indie Darlings. Caminiti. Kasey. DuJour. 29 March 2018. August 10, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709074120/https://dujour.com/culture/finneas-singer-interview-billie-eilish-brother/. live.
  23. Web site: Artist to Watch: Finneas talks influence and production. Smither. Tanis. Earmilk. 22 April 2019. August 10, 2020. June 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200601032423/https://earmilk.com/2019/04/22/artist-to-watch-finneas-talks-influence-and-production/. live.
  24. Web site: Songwriter Profile: Finneas. Kimpel. Dan. Music Connection. July 17, 2018. August 10, 2020. December 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191206183808/https://www.musicconnection.com/songwriter-profile-finneas/. live.
  25. Web site: Finneas shares 1964 version of 'Let's Fall In Love For The Night' from his Blood Harmony EP. Brayden. Kate. Hot Press. August 10, 2020. September 12, 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200912181022/https://www.hotpress.com/music/finneas-shares-1964-version-of-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-from-his-blood-harmony-ep-22824577. September 12, 2020.
  26. Web site: Finneas Shares A '1964' Version Of 'Let's Fall In Love For The Night,' From His Deluxe EP. Rossignol. Derrick. Uproxx. August 7, 2020. September 12, 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200912180214/https://uproxx.com/pop/finneas-lets-fall-in-love-1964-blood-harmony-deluxe-ep/. September 12, 2020.
  27. Web site: Listen to a new version of Finneas' 'Let's Fall In Love For The Night'. Moore. Sam . NME. August 10, 2020. September 12, 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200912181310/https://www.nme.com/news/music/finneas-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-1964-new-version-blood-harmony-deluxe-digital-version-ep-2724544. September 12, 2020.
  28. News: Blood Harmony by Finneas on iTunes. iTunes Store. August 6, 2020. November 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101130132/https://music.apple.com/us/album/blood-harmony/1479728135. dead.
  29. News: Blood Harmony (Deluxe) by Finneas on iTunes. iTunes Store. August 6, 2020. April 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220408092737/https://music.apple.com/nz/album/blood-harmony-deluxe/1524444916. dead.
  30. Various digital releases for "Let's Fall in Love for the Night":
  31. Finneas Chart History (Alternative Airplay). Billboard. September 16, 2020.
  32. Finneas Chart History (Rock Airplay). Billboard. September 16, 2020.
  33. Web site: Canadian single certifications – Finneas – Let's Fall in Love for the Night. Music Canada. September 16, 2020.
  34. Web site: Watch Finneas' New Video for 'Let's Fall in Love for the Night'. Pitchfork. March 19, 2020. April 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200502161531/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-finneas-new-video-for-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night/. May 2, 2020. live.
  35. Web site: Finneas Releases 'Lets Fall in Love for the Night' Video. Spin. March 19, 2020. April 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200410162033/https://www.spin.com/2020/03/finneas-releases-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-video/. April 10, 2020. live.
  36. Web site: Finneas's Dancing Lights Up the Skyline in 'Let's Fall in Love for the Night'. MTV. Roth. Madeline. March 19, 2020. April 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200413072848/http://www.mtv.com/news/3160454/finneas-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-video-interview/. April 13, 2020. dead.
  37. Web site: Watch Finneas' Poignant Video for 'I Lost a Friend'. Schramm. Molly. Paste. June 26, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  38. Finneas Unveils Smooth Marian Hill Remix to 'I Lost a Friend'. Aniftos. Rania. Billboard. December 12, 2019. September 16, 2020.
  39. Finneas Unveils 'Shelter' Video After Making 'Saturday Night Live' Debut With Sis Billie Eilish: Watch. Rowley. Glenn. Billboard. September 30, 2019. July 30, 2020.
  40. Web site: Finneas Follows Up SNL With His Trippy, One Take 'Shelter' Video. Roth. Madeline. MTV. September 30, 2019. July 30, 2020. April 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200413170537/http://www.mtv.com/news/3140857/finneas-shelter-video/. dead.
  41. Finneas Selfishly Reminds His Ex 'I Don't Miss You At All' in New Upbeat Single: Listen. Mamo. Heran. Billboard. September 20, 2019. July 30, 2020. August 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200820010427/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8530646/finneas-i-dont-miss-you-at-all-listen. live.
  42. Web site: Acl Live Review: Finneas. Jones. Isa. The Austin Chronicle. October 6, 2019. September 16, 2020.
  43. Watch Finneas Perform 'Let's Fall in Love for the Night' on 'Fallon'. Rolling Stone. Zemler. Emily. February 4, 2020. April 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200406162447/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/finneas-lets-fall-in-love-for-the-night-fallon-947382/. April 6, 2020. live.
  44. Web site: Savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). Lithuanian. AGATA. October 14, 2019. November 29, 2019.

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