Badlands
Halsey · 2015
61 min · 18 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of pop and alternative sounds, drenched in atmospheric production and deeply personal storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
New Americana — This track serves as a bold declaration of individuality and cultural identity, encapsulating the album’s themes of rebellion and self-acceptance.
-
→
Castle — Opening the album, this song sets the tone with its sweeping production and introspective lyrics about overcoming obstacles and finding strength.
-
→
Control — With its gripping exploration of mental health struggles, this track highlights Halsey's lyrical depth while resonating with listeners facing similar challenges.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Halsey's 'Badlands' combines personal storytelling with atmospheric production, creating a distinctive sound in alternative pop.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich, atmospheric soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- vibrant confessional storytelling
- reflective moments of youthful angst
- sing-along choruses for friends
- late-night introspection and catharsis
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek consistent energy throughout
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album established Halsey as a significant new voice in pop music.
- Career context
- When Halsey released 'Badlands' in 2015, she was emerging as a significant new voice in pop music, following her debut EP 'Room 93' from the previous year. This album marked her first full-length project, showcasing her unique narrative style and establishing her identity as an artist who blends confessional lyrics with eclectic soundscapes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Castle 4:37
- 2 Hold Me Down 3:24
- 3 New Americana 3:03
- 4 Drive 4:18
- 5 Hurricane 3:43
- 6 Roman Holiday 3:21
- 7 Ghost 2:33
- 8 Colors 4:09
- 9 Colors Pt. II 1:36
- 10 Strange Love 4:07
- 11 Coming Down 3:43
- 12 Haunting 4:20
- 13 Gasoline 3:19
- 14 Control 3:34
- 15 Young God 3:00
- 16 I Walk the Line 2:45
Disc 2
- 1 You(th) (demo) 1:00
- 2 Drive (demo) 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.