Following viral success on TikTok with her 2019 single feel something, Bea Miller dropped her newest EP elated! (her first release of the year) on October 23rd. The EP was meant to be out around June or July (a year after the release of feel something) but after her latest body of work spiked back up, the release was put on hold.
Having hallelujah as a starting point, the record opens up with a catchy beat accompanied by a pessimistic message around self-care. Even though there’s a split second where she finds hope (Maybe that’ll save me, yeah) but it quickly crumbles at the end when she says “nothin’ can save us now”. Miller also takes shots at the political climate of the United States (How am I supposed to work on myself // When there are Nazis in a big White House? Uh) and, although it was written last year, sends a relatable message that feels familiar in the current state of the world (It seems ridiculous to live in Hell // But I guess that’s what we’re doin’ now // And maybe I should see a therapist // But the apocalypse is probably gonna take us out, uh).
It’s followed by FEEL SOMETHING DIFFERENT, a remake of the original single. She released this up-tempo, groovy version with rapper Aminé the day before the EP came out. It continues to portray that feeling of numbness and how Miller desperately wants to be able to come out of that state. Aminé’s verse has a nod to Aaliyah’s 2000 single Try Again when he sings “had to try again like Aaliyah”.
forever is a lie it’s the third track on the record. It’s a very energetic song that criticizes the idea of promising someone else that you’ll be there for them forever. It’s about living in the moment and being honest about the uncertainty of tomorrow.
The midpoint of the EP comes in the form of making bad decisions. The song describes the impulsivity of Miller, wanting to switch everything whenever she gets bored, which ends up with decisions made on temporary thoughts. It has a very dramatic beginning that culminates on a soft and, almost, spooky melody that’s heard throughout the song and it’s heightened with some harmonies.
i never wanna die represents a euphoric state of feeling alright when you’re with someone (You spin me ’round in circles underneath your starry eyes // And now, I feel alright) and how she never wants that feeling to end (Oh woah, I hope // Tonight’s the rest of my life). The melody’s catchy and the sound feels calm and soft.
The only single Miller released was track six, wisdom teeth. Filled with synths and nostalgia, this song illustrates the loss of innocence. Growing up made her realize that people aren’t as happy as she once thought (And now that I’m a little bit older, a whole nineteen years // Everybody drowns their problems in Xanax and beer). She also points out her unhappiness and confidence when she references her childhood in the first verse (She came to my dance recital that I wasn’t in // ‘Cause I spent the whole time starin’ at myself in the mirror) and her present in verse two (I’m buyin’ all the presents on Christmas, but my tree is clear // And now underneath, it’s hard for me to look in the mirror).
elated! Closes with the slowest song on the record, self crucify. In this track, the singer references her self deprecation nature and self-destruction tendencies. Miller explained on the Zach Sang Show that whenever she’s uninterested in her life and surroundings or needs inspiration, she’ll self-sabotage purposely making herself feel sad. “It’s more fun to be sad, in a way, than to be nothing. Sometimes I’ll look through old memories of things that make me upset and play sad music and get in my feelings (…) ’cause it brings me more inspiration”.
The ballad-like record finishes in what feels like a dream state with a sound that grows and slowly culminates in a chorus of voices that seem almost reassuring despite the negative message.
The song comes to an end with Miller saying vulnerably in acapella “you can find me, you can find me alone”.
This body of work transitions Bea Miller into a new, more alternative, sound that feels in line with everything that she represents as an artist, being honest and speaking your mind. It feels genuine and vulnerable, giving to her listeners a piece of herself while maintaining one connected through relatable lyrics and situations.
You can stream elated! by clicking here.
