Hollywood is hollow – step out of the spotlight, and very little warmth exists outside of its burning glow. Yet the allure of stardom can be impossible to disentangle yourself from. When you’re met with howling fans, charted singles and magazine covers, it’s easy to lose yourself – and Halsey’s The Great Impersonator is their attempt to rummage through the scraps of who they once were, desperately reclaiming themselves in the aftermath of fame. This record is a Stockholm syndrome love-letter to Hollywood, in awe of the glitz and glamour before clawing away at the veneer, hunting for something real.
The corrosive impact of fame on Halsey is made clear immediately. Opener Only Living Girl in LA sees the star admitting how much they have sacrificed to their audience, admitting their body “was never [theirs]”, and feeling like they “have no name.” It’s a track that feels small and vulnerable in all its acoustic twanging, an earnest cry to feel alive, to feel real. However, reality is quickly drowned out, as the next track, buoyant pop-rock banger, Ego, requires a new imitation to take control. The ever-changing tone emulates the overwhelming chaos of Hollywood – feeling like you need to adapt to keep attention on you.
