Badlands (Live at Webster Hall)
Halsey · 2020
68 min · 21 tracks · alternative rock
A powerful blend of emotive vocals and atmospheric instrumentation that captures the raw intensity of a live performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Castle — Opening with commanding vocals and evocative lyrics, this track sets the tone for the entire performance, encapsulating themes of strength and resilience.
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Control — This track's haunting melody and introspective lyrics delve into themes of mental health, showcasing Halsey's lyrical depth and emotional engagement with her audience.
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Ghost — With its pulsating beat and poignant narrative about loss and longing, this song perfectly captures the live energy that defines Halsey's concerts.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The live format captures Halsey's dynamic performance but lacks strong cohesion due to its varied pacing and interludes.
What we noticed
- The instrumentation often builds from atmospheric synths to more aggressive guitar-driven sections, reflecting the emotional intensity of the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- wave-like dynamics throughout performance
- intimate storytelling in every song
- emotional peaks and valleys
- live energy for shared moments
- reflective pauses between tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer studio polish over rawness
- dislike lengthy live performances
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A live album that showcases Halsey's performance but isn't her primary studio work.
- Moods
- Cathartic
- Career context
- Released on August 28, 2020, 'Badlands (Live at Webster Hall)' arrives as Halsey's follow-up to her critically acclaimed second album, 'Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.' This live recording showcases her growth as a performer after achieving mainstream success with hits like 'Without Me' and solidifies her position in the pop landscape.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Control
The shift from third-person reflections to a direct confrontation with inner turmoil creates an intimate atmosphere.
This structural choice amplifies the sense of vulnerability, allowing listeners to connect deeply with Halsey's personal struggles.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Castle 4:34
- 2 Hold Me Down 4:04
- 3 New Americana 3:19
- 4 Drive 4:52
- 5 Hurricane 4:23
- 6 Roman Holiday 3:17
- 7 Colors Pt. II 1:44
- 8 Colors 4:04
- 9 Tiny Little Babies – Talking Break
- 10 Strange Love 4:36
- 11 Forget Her and Find Her – Talking Break
Disc 2
- 1 Coming Down 3:24
- 2 Haunting 4:44
- 3 Control 3:53
- 4 Young God 4:59
- 5 Trouble – Stripped 4:37
- 6 I’m Not Playing Closer – Talking Break
- 7 Ghost 2:36
- 8 Gasoline 4:44
- 9 Some Kind of Stardust – Talking Break
- 10 Is There Somewhere 4:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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