As you may well know, Billie Eilish’s recently announced third album Hit Me Hard and Soft will be released next Friday. As you may also well know, none of the songs from it will be available to stream beforehand, as the artist has made it the second most notable feature of the release campaign that the LP should be listened to as a cohesive work—an idea which is evidently somewhat bold and original in a year that’s incidentally also been characterized by landmark double LPs thus far.
But if you’re in Los Angeles or New York, you do get a shot at hearing the album before its May 17 release. Today, Eilish has announced listening parties at LA’s Kia Forum on May 16 and NYC’s Barclays Center on May 15, with both events being sponsored by a laundry list of corporate entities we don’t need to list because, honestly, what’s in it for us? Speaking to the third most notable feature of Billie’s release campaign, the artist’s only wish is an environmental one: that you consider public transit or carpooling to get to the gig so as to reduce pollution. It may sound crazy, but I can assure you that that is an option in LA.
Tickets ensuring entry for the free event can be obtained here. You can also find the dates for Eilish’s upcoming Hit Me Hard and Soft tour below.
Update: The album will also be previewed at AMC theaters across the US on those same dates—find availability in your city here.
