FINNEAS - Musical Analysis

Introduction

Finneas O'Connell is a singer-songwriter, producer, and actor who has produced music for numerous artists and has also won a large number of awards for his work, including eight grammys. He is famously known as pop artist Billie Eilish's brother and producer, but is also lately gaining popularity for his own albums. Finneas was born in Los Angeles and began writing songs at the age of twelve after taking a songwriting class with his mother, Maggie Baird. 

Originally, I was going to make a blog post titled "The Art of Songwriting," but after realizing that it was too broad of a topic, I decided to focus on a single songwriter and the aspects that make him good at what he does. In this blog post, I will present three different songs that serve as prime examples of Finneas' unique writing style. 

Song 1: "Naked" (2022)

I'm not usually a fan of upbeat music, but I was immediately attracted to this song when I first heard it. Though it sounds a bit complicated, being in a minor key, it only consists of four chords throughout: G, Em, Bm, C. There is a lot happening both instrumentally and lyrically in this song, giving the complex first impression. 

"Naked" is about slowly letting go of past relationships and the regret of giving oneself away. The line "I can't believe you've seen me naked" is probably literal, but it may also represent the overall vulnerability that the narrator surrendered to their partner at one time. The more someone gives themselves away to someone else, the longer it may take to be free of that person. "Naked" also gives several references to both truth and lies, as if the narrator is finally being honest about the lies that used to go around. 

The arrangement of this song is incredible because there is no repeated verse. It is almost as if there are three bridges and three choruses, each one differing significantly from the last. Even the final chorus changes lyrically, adding to the writer's pain and the meaning of the song. Although there is so much change throughout "Naked," it somehow all comes together in a satisfying fashion. Everything matches within in the song, keeping a bright and almost grungy timbre. 

Song 2: "Hurt Locker"(2021)

One of the first characteristics that originally drew me to Finneas' music is his ability to create a range of strong emotions while somehow keeping the music ethereal and comforting. Oftentimes when music is angry, it is not necessarily relaxing, and while opinions may vary with this particular song, I think that "Hurt Locker" conveys a combination of anger and deep pain in a pretty way. 

The U.S. military uses the phrase "hurt locker" as slang for serious injury. Finneas' song seems to be about a couple who is either struggling to maintain their relationship, or the relationship is already long gone. The singer uses filming vocabulary to create a visual for the song: "A close up on your lips...A jump cut to the bed we used to share...A wide shot of the aisle of a grocery store." This is a technique that I have never seen before in music, but I quite admire it. Finneas sparks the imagination of the listener to perhaps allow a closer look into his mind as he writes these lyrics. 

Dynamics are extremely important in this song as well. Of course, the song begins soft and remains steady until the first chorus when Finneas jumps an octave and belts the words. It is once again quiet at the second verse, and then proceeds to grow loud at the second chorus followed by the bridge. The song ends where it began. Though the transitions are quick, it works altogether for the song because I suppose it represents the contrast between utter disappointment and passionate anger as the narrator fights to stay with their loved one. 

Song 3: Die Alone (2019)

"Die Alone" is my favorite song by Finneas. I don't even know where to begin, other than by saying that I think this song is beautiful in every way possible, and if there was ever a perfect song it would be this one. 

This song starts off with a sweet piano melody and the sound of a crowd. The people's voices die away when Finneas begins to sing, perhaps emphasizing the "alone" in the song. "Die Alone" is about the end of things, and promising to hold onto the ones he loves no matter the circumstance. Finneas accounts that the first verse of this song is about a past girlfriend, while the second verse is solely about his parents and his home in California. 

The range of Finneas' voice in this song is absolutely stunning--I have tried to sing it using mostly chest voice in a different key and I can't quite reach it. Finneas begins the song with his signature soft voice, keeping it low until the chorus. He then builds his voice, accompanied by several harmonies, creating a melodic structure in the shape of a hill, raising his voice high and ending low again. His range reaches a peak about 3 minutes and 45 seconds into the song, jumping into falsetto and landing on a beautifully high note. Naturally, he ends the song with a repeat of the first line, once again bringing his voice back to the lower end. This is similar to the juggling technique he used in "Hurt Locker," bringing his audience's emotions every which way throughout the entire song. 

Conclusion

There are many more songs that I could show, but I think the three from this post summarize Finneas' genius quite well. I am in love with his deep, complex lyrics and smooth music style. What is your favorite of the three that we discussed? 

Sources

Definition of Hurt Locker, BuzzWord From Macmillan Dictionary. www.macmillandictionary.com/us/buzzword/entries/hurt-locker.html.

“Finneas - Naked (Chords).” Ultimate Guitar, 28 Mar. 2022, tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/finneas/naked-chords-4124827.

‘Naked’ Review: FINNEAS Bares All | Arts | the Harvard Crimson. www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/4/1/finneas-single-naked-review.

Smf. “‘Die Alone’ by Finneas.” Song Meanings and Facts, Oct. 2019, www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/die-alone-by-finneas.

Wikipedia contributors. “Finneas O’Connell.” Wikipedia, Apr. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finneas_O%27Connell.