News : Exclusive: Billie Eilish and Finneas Already Writing Music For Her Third Album

BRIAN HIATT December 09, 2021
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Billie Eilish put out Happier Than Ever less than six months ago, but she and her brother, Finneas, have already started writing music for her next album. “We’re really excited to start working on it,” Finneas says in the new episode of the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, in an interview that also dives deep into his new solo album, Optimist. “We’ve got the net in the ocean, and we’re picking up detritus. And then you sift through all that, and you pick out the treasure, and then you have an album. I’m really excited. I think we’ve got a lot to say.”

Finneas went on to use another metaphor for the current stage of their creative process: “We have, like, interesting skeletons,” he says. “And we’re not sure what animals they are.”

Eilish’s Happier Than Ever arena tour is supposed to start in February, and Finneas doesn’t rule out the possibility of finishing her third album before then — but that doesn’t mean it would come out in time for the tour. “This tour is this album,” he says. “We’ve played some festivals, but we haven’t done Billie headliner solo shows, and we’re really excited to play Happier Than Ever on the road. So even if it’s in the can by February, we’ll [delay it] for a little bit. Because I like letting projects breathe… You don’t want to step on the toes of an album like that. You make your stuff mean less, I think, when you do that.”

To hear the entire Finneas interview on Rolling Stone Music Now – which goes from the beginning of Finneas and Eilish’s collaboration with “Ocean Eyes” to his work on Justin Bieber’s “Lonely” –  press play above, or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Download and subscribe to our weekly podcast, Rolling Stone Music Now, hosted by Brian Hiatt, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts), and check out three years’ worth of episodes in the archive, including in-depth, career-spanning interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Halsey, Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, the National, Ice Cube, Dua Lipa, Questlove, Killer Mike, Julian Casablancas, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Marr, Scott Weiland, Liam Gallagher, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Donald Fagen, Phil Collins, Justin Townes Earle, Stephen Malkmus, Sebastian Bach, Tom Petty, Eddie Van Halen, Kelly Clarkson, Pete Townshend, Bob Seger, the Zombies, Gary Clark Jr., and many others — plus dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters. Tune in every Friday at 1 p.m. ET to hear Rolling Stone Music Now broadcast on SiriusXM’s Volume, channel 106.

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