Billie Eillish.Photo:William Drumm
William Drumm
It’s almost time for a newBillie Eilishalbum.
On Monday, April 8, the 22-year-old Grammy winner announced her third album,Hit Me Hard and Soft, will be released on May 17 as she unveiled its cover artwork — a photo of Eilish underwater near an open door.
“so crazy to be writing this right now i’m nervyyyyy & exciteddd,” she wrote alongside the albumannouncement on Instagram.
Billie Eilish ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ Album Cover.William Drumm
Rather than sticking to the rollout strategies used for her past two albums, 2019’sWhen We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?and 2021’sHappier Than Ever, Eilish noted that she’s “not doing singles” this time around: “i wanna give it to you all at once.”
“finneas and i truly could not be more proud of this album and we absolutely can’t wait for you to hear it,” she told fans. “love you love you love you.”
Eilish has been teasing her third album since last year, tellingThe Cookoutshe was in the “final stages” of crafting the project in a September 2023 interview.
Billie Eilish in Beverly Hills in January 2024.Michael Buckner/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty
Michael Buckner/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty
In February, she revealed the album had been “mastered” in an Instagram post.
Late last week, Eilish teased the album title as she took to Instagram and debuted a new tattoo that appeared to read, “hard & soft.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Billie Eilish in Santa Monica in January 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Kevin Mazur/Getty
A note shared to the “What Was I Made For?” musician’swebsiteon April 8 revealed she will release eight vinyl variants — each featuring identical tracklists — through her official store as well as Target, Amazon and Walmart.
Black vinyl versions of the album will be 100% recycled, while colored variants will be crafted through the use of “ECO-MIX or BioVinyl,” which respectively utilize “100% recycled compound” and “non-fossil fuel materials,” according to the statement.
Billie Eilish performs onstage during Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago in August 2023.Michael Hickey/Getty
Michael Hickey/Getty
Additionally, Eilish’s vinyl packaging will be made using recycled paper, plant-based and water-based ink, recycled sleeves and “up to 93% recycled and 100% recyclable shipping boxes.”
Cassette versions ofHit Me Hard and Softwill also be made from recycled materials, while both tapes and CDs will be packaged in softpaks “made from FSC Certified stock with 100% renewable fibers and up to 30% post-consumer recycled fibers that are 100% recyclable,” per the note.
“Recognizing sustainable design as an imperfect journey of efforts, Billie is using a range of solutions as she works with her team towards constant improvement,” continued the statement, before detailing the earth-friendly practices used to make her merchandise.
source: people.com
