New Americana

"New Americana" is a song by American singer and songwriter Halsey from her debut studio album, Badlands (2015).[1] It was released on July 10, 2015 through Astralwerks as the album's second single.[2] It was written by Halsey, Larzz Principato, and Kalkutta, while production was handled by Lido. Described as an electropop song, "New Americana" describes the normalization of aspects of counterculture in the United States, including recreational marijuana use and same-sex marriage. The original version of the song was first released on March 31, 2014 via Halsey's official SoundCloud account for streaming and free download.[3]

"New Americana"
Single by Halsey
from the album Badlands
ReleasedJuly 10, 2015
Recorded2014 (vocals)
GenreElectropop
Length3:03
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Lido
Halsey singles chronology
"Ghost"
(2014)		 "New Americana"
(2015)		 "Colors"
(2016)
Music video
"New Americana" on YouTube

Composition

"New Americana" is a midtempo electropop song[4] with an alternative pop vibe.[5] According to the digital sheet music published by Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., the song is composed in the key of E♭ major with an approximate tempo of 87 BPM and a vocal range of B♭3-C5.[6] The track also contains an interpolation of "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume.[7] Halsey's voice is layered on the chorus, similar to Pink Floyd's hit, "Another Brick in the Wall".[8]

In an interview with Oyster, Halsey was asked "How do you deal with the frustration of your work being misunderstood?" She replied:[9]

It's so frustrating when people don't understand the satire of 'New Americana'. They think it's this insane basic pop song, but that's the point. I wrote a song critiquing pop culture and I made it sound like a huge pop song. People are writing angry think pieces about how they don't appreciate me rhyming 'legal marijuana' with 'Biggie and Nirvana'. The whole point is for it to be a buzzworthy song. I'm making fun of current pop culture. Has anyone heard the bridge? I say: 'What kind of bubble gum have you been blowing lately?' In my other songs, I'd never say something like that. But the whole point of that lyric is me saying, 'What kind of bullshit have you been talking? What kind of vapid things have you been obsessed with lately?' Honestly though, the fact people miss the point of the song is driving me fucking insane.

Halsey has since deemed the track her worst song, elaborating that she got "burnt out" on it.[10] She doesn't perform the song live anymore.

Critical reception

It has been characterized by several critics, including Billboard, USA Today, and The New York Times, as a "generational anthem" for millennials.[11][12][13] Nathan Reese of Pitchfork was unconvinced by the song's lyrics, describing the song as "plasticky" and superficial where it aimed to be inspirational. He concluded reviewing the chorus, finding it "calculated, defiant, and, ultimately, hollow".[14] In June 2017, long after the release of the song, Halsey named it as her worst song released to date. She claimed she was tired of having to always revisit the song.[15]

Music video

On September 25, 2015, the official video premiered on MTV, and was posted on Halsey's Vevo and YouTube accounts shortly after. The video's dystopian setting has been compared to that of The Hunger Games series.[16][17] The music video featured a single version of "New Americana" in which included different background vocals, a short instrumental before the bridge, and different mixing.

Synopsis

The video opens with an intro of mountain scenery recorded in VHS style with a voice-over of Halsey stating "We were a community. They made me their leader even when I never asked to be. But the lightning in their eyes heralded me to whatever they needed me to become. We were hopeful we would win because nothing could scare us. We feared no city and we feared no man." As the song begins to play, Halsey is then showed joining and being captive with a group of Americans doing unexceptional things. They are then barged in by troops who line them up and take Halsey as hostage since she is presumably the leader of the Americans. She is then dragged to a village where she is tied up to a bonfire. While being poured over with gasoline, Halsey pleads for help but no one responds until immediately before being lit up, when she is then rescued by the Americans. After escaping the troops, Halsey and the Americans are then shown heading out of the forest and running away from the village. The video ends with an instrumental of "Drive" featuring Halsey lying on the ground somewhere similar to the mountains as seen on the opening of the video with a backdrop of a city covered in mist. She is seen wearing a white dystopian outfit and left with nothing but car keys and a radio which she then reaches out to and tries to unravel.

Live performances

In August 2015, Halsey performed "New Americana" at Jimmy Kimmel Live![18] and again in October 2015 at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[19]

Charts
Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[20] 84
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 57
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 36
Canada Rock (Billboard)[23] 31
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[24] 34
Ireland (IRMA)[25] 89
Italy (FIMI)[26] 24
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[27] 1
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[28] 28
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[29] 184
US Billboard Hot 100[30] 60
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[31] 18
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[32] 27
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[33] 25
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[34] 27

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Gold 35,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[36] Platinum 80,000
Italy (FIMI)[37] Platinum 50,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[38] Gold 15,000*
United States (RIAA)[39] Platinum 1,000,000[40]

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Since May 2013 RIAA certifications for digital singles include on-demand audio and/or video song streams in addition to downloads.[41]

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various March 31, 2014 (original version)
Self-released [3]
United States July 10, 2015 Digital download Astralwerks [42]
July 20, 2015 Modern rock radio
[43]
September 21, 2015 Adult album alternative radio [44]
United Kingdom February 1, 2016 Contemporary hit radio Astralwerks [45]
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References
  1. "Halsey Name-checks Biggie and Nirvana in 'New Americana'". PopCrush.
  2. "Halsey Re-Releases Promotional Single "New Americana"". CDS Music Chart. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015.
  3. ""You can download New Americana here on soundcloud: #Balenciaga"". Twitter. March 31, 2014.
  4. Mic. "Halsey "New Americana" Lyrics: Hot New Artist Drops The Biggest New Anthem of 2015". Mic.
  5. ""New Americana" by Halsey". EQ Music Blog.
  6. "Halsey "New Americana" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co., Ltd. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  7. Badlands (CD liner notes). Halsey. Astralwerks. 2015. 2547360342.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. Collar, Matt. "Badlands - Halsey". AllMusic. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  9. Kazemi, Alex (August 27, 2015). "Halsey On Satire, Sexuality And Finding Solace In Music". Oyster. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  10. Katie Louise-Smith (June 19, 2017). "Halsey's Just Picked Her "Worst" Song And It's Probably One Of Your Faves". PopBuzz.
  11. Martins, Chris (August 21, 2015). "Art-Pop Singer Halsey on Being Bipolar, Bisexual and an 'Inconvenient Woman'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  12. Mansfield, Brian (September 20, 2015). "On the Verge: Halsey". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  13. Coscarelli, Joe (August 5, 2015). "Halsey, With 'Badlands,' Is Moving Fast to Share a Secret Language". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  14. Reese, Nathan (September 2, 2015). "Halsey: Badlands | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  15. Louise-Smith, Katie (June 29, 2017). "Halsey's Just Picked Her 'Worst' Song And It's Probably One Of Your Faves". PopBuzz. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  16. Wass, Mike (September 22, 2015). "Halsey Teases 'Hunger Games'-Themed "New Americana" Video: Watch A Preview". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  17. Glusac, Melina (September 30, 2015). "Music Video Review: Halsey is too Urban Outfitters in 'New Americana'". The Michigan Daily. University of Michigan. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  18. "Halsey Performs "New Americana" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (Watch Now)". Headline Planet.
  19. "Halsey Performs "New Americana" on "Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (Watch Now)". Headline Planet. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  20. "Ultratop.be – Halsey – New Americana" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  21. "Halsey Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  22. "Chart Search". Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Halsey. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  23. "Chart Search". Billboard Canada Rock for Halsey. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  24. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201550 into search.
  25. "Chart Track: Week 36, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  26. "Italiancharts.com – Halsey – New Americana". Top Digital Download.
  27. "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  28. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201550 into search.
  29. "CHART: CLUK Update 29.08.2015 (wk35)". zobbel.de. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  30. "Halsey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  31. "Halsey Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  32. "Halsey Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  33. "Halsey Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  34. "Halsey Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
  35. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  36. "Canadian single certifications – Halsey – New Americana". Music Canada. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  37. "Italian single certifications – Halsey – New Americana" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved February 8, 2016. Select "2016" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "New Americana" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
  38. "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  39. "American single certifications – Halsey – New Americana". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 8, 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  40. Ringen, Jonathan (March 10, 2016). "Billboard Cover: How Halsey Became the Voice of Her Generation Through Tweets, Tumblr and Truth-Telling". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  41. "RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on May 26, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  42. "Amazon.com: New Americana: Halsey: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  43. "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Alternative" (Week Of: July 20, 2015). Radio & Records. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  44. "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Triple A". Radio & Records. Archived from the original (Week Of: September 21, 2015) on November 4, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  45. "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
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