Billie Eilish keeps kicking new goals and when she released her latest album, called Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles.
Disney+ recorded a show of her singing every song from the album so you can check it all out in a cinematic concert experience in your own home.
The show which comes under the same name – Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles – features an intimate performance of each song in the album in sequential order – all filmed on stage at the Hollywood Bowl. You can stream the entire concert now on Disney+.
Eilish and her brother FINNEAS continue to keep their star alive. At this year’s Grammys, they won Record of the Year with the song, Everything I Wanted, and Best Song Written for Visual Media for No Time to Die. Eilish is the youngest artist to ever record and sing a James Bond theme song.
The new album was written by Billie and her brother FINNEAS, who also produced the album. The album debuted a couple of months ago at No. 1 in 19 countries and has continued to be hugely popular. We can’t seem to get enough of her or her music and in this special she takes us on a dreamlike journey through her hometown of Los Angeles, showing us the city’s iconic backdrops.
Coming in at over 100 minutes, each song has a different visual style, usually, it’s just a colour change, but it’s actually very effective. In one song, the stage is blue; then later, it’s orange. It’s very simple, but visually it works very nicely.
It’s mixed up with some ‘Roger Rabbit-style scenes, where a cartoon version of Billie drives around some of the famous sights of Los Angeles. The animation style of Billie is similar to what Disney used in the Marvel Studios ‘What If?’ animated series and is commonly used in video games like ‘The Walking Dead’ and Telltale games.
Animated scenes give us a nice break from the stage and make it more ‘Disney’
These animated scenes are a nice break from the stage and make it feel a little more ‘Disney’. Though nothing really happens in these animated scenes, much like Billie’s music, it’s all very laid back but doesn’t really make much difference to the overall experience.
Unlike a normal filmed concert experience, because this was filmed during a pandemic, there wasn’t any audience in the seats, but the special concert was filmed at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. Because it was outside, they occasionally use a full orchestra on many of the songs, and for one track, they even bring in Billie’s old school choir, which makes the songs sound even grander.
In contrast, for some of the songs, it’s just Billie on the stage with a small band. There’s also a lovely duet with her brother Finneas O’Connell.
If you are one of the few who are not a big Billie Eilish fan, this show may swing you around. Her style is very laid back and it has a relaxing quality to it. Overall, Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles is a show that’s worth trying out. You’ll find some more upbeat tracks as well and the whole thing works in a mellow, laid-back way.
The show is directed by Robert Rodriguez and by Oscar-winner Patrick Osborne. The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus joins in as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
The show was conducted by Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel and world-renowned Brazilian guitarist, Romero Lubambo was also a guest. Writer/Director Robert Rodriguez has directed the action films Desperado and From Dusk Til Dawn.
Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, is streaming now on Disney+…
