Half Written Story
EP by
Hailee Steinfeld
ReleasedMay 8, 2020 (2020-05-08)
RecordedJanuary 2017 – April 2020
GenrePop
Length17:17
LabelRepublic
Producer
Hailee Steinfeld chronology
Haiz
(2015)		 Half Written Story
(2020)
Singles from Half Written Story
  1. "Wrong Direction"
    Released: January 1, 2020
  2. "I Love You's"
    Released: March 26, 2020

Half Written Story is the second extended play (EP) by American singer Hailee Steinfeld, released on May 8, 2020, through Republic Records.[1] It was initially intended to be the first half of a two-piece project, but the idea was later scrapped.[2] The EP is Steinfeld's first release since her debut EP Haiz in November 2015. The EP was preceded by two singles, "Wrong Direction" and "I Love You's".

Background and recording

After the release of Haiz, Steinfeld began recording new music for an album project in January 2017 while filming Pitch Perfect 3.[3] That year, Steinfeld released the singles "Most Girls" and "Let Me Go" that were intended to be a part of the album.[4][5] In March 2018, Steinfeld confirmed that she was finishing her album and intended to release it in 2018.[6][7] The following December, after the album wasn't released, Steinfeld confirmed that after finishing filming Dickinson in January 2019, she would be "finishing what [she] started" with her music and releasing the album in 2019.[8]

On March 26, 2020, it was reported that Steinfeld would release a two-part project in 2020 with the first part being released on May 1, 2020.[9] Steinfeld later announced on April 24, 2020 that the project's first part's release was being pushed to May 8, 2020, due to her needing more time to perfect it.[10] The project's first part was finished that month.[11] On April 27, 2020, Steinfeld announced that the project's first part would be called Half Written Story as well as revealing its cover art and track list.[12] The EP got its name from lyrics in "Your Name Hurts" saying "we're a half-written story without any ending" and "this half-written story is horror at best".[13]

This project is a collection of songs that are so special to me and I’m incredibly proud of. This is the first body of work I’ve put out since my debut project in 2015 and I can't wait for everyone to hear these new songs.

— Steinfeld discussing the EP.[2]

Music and lyrics

Half Written Story is primarily a pop music[14][15] record with lyrics that discuss heartbreak and strength.[16] The EP contains five tracks. It opens with "I Love You's" an upbeat romantic pop anthem[17][18] about self love and hope.[19] Sampling "No More I Love You's" by Annie Lennox,[20] the song's production consists of "floaty" synths and "peppy" beats.[19] "Your Name Hurts" is a retro R&B[14] track that according to Steinfeld is about when "a person's name can go from [making] your heart skip a beat to something that makes you feel nauseous."[21] "End This (L.O.V.E.)" is a "minor-key lament"[14] where Steinfeld was inspired by Bea Miller's "S.L.U.T." to make a song with an abbreviation that has a flipped meaning.[21] The song samples the melody from "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole and sees Steinfeld singing in a lower range.[21] "Man Up" is a hip hop-influenced[14] pop-rap song[16] that "coheres into a believably messy portrait of love's aftermath".[14] The closing track and lead single, "Wrong Direction" is an "emotional" tearjerker piano ballad that addresses a past relationship.[14][22]

Singles

"Wrong Direction" was released as the EP's lead single on January 1, 2020.[23] It was followed by "I Love You's" on March 26, 2020.[24]

Critical reception

Half Written Story received mixed reviews from critics. Chris DeVille of Stereogum complimented the EP's improvement of Steinfeld's music stating "Half Written Story presents a slightly more fully-formed vision of Steinfeld the singer" and "together [Koz] and Steinfeld have constructed a collection that, if not exactly brimming with idiosyncrasies, conveys more of the charm and sass that typify her onscreen work".[14] Steve Baltin of Forbes called the EP "stellar" as well as writing "When you hear her intimate, her attitude in the joyous pop, the production and the passion she brings to the first five songs it is clear her love of music is genuine".[15] Natalie Weiner of Variety criticized the EP's choice of songs writing "The desire to make a meatier banger is clearly there, given how long she’s been at it and the kind of material she chooses; she has the voice and the baseline taste level. It’s hard to imagine, though, that any of these songs will make her a recognizable force in pop."[25] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard also criticized the EP's choice of songs writing "none of the songs sound like surefire radio staples" but also complimented the EP writing "the five new songs are the most experimental, and personal, of Steinfeld's career."[26] Writing for i-D, Douglas Greenwood called the EP a "belter" as well as saying it's a "searingly honest mini collection of proper pop songs."[27] Mathias Rosenzweig of V called it "a raw and emotive body of work for the starlet".[28] Katrina Rees of CelebMix gave a favourable review writing "Half Written Story is a cohesive offering which showcases Hailee’s growth as an artist" and "Hailee has delivered an impressive EP which exhibits confidence and vulnerability in equal measure."[29]

Track listing

Half Written Story track listing[21][1]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Love You's"
Stewart3:36
2."Your Name Hurts"
Koz3:42
3."End This (L.O.V.E.)"
  • Koz
  • The 23rd
3:03
4."Man Up"
D'Mile2:48
5."Wrong Direction"
Koz4:08
Total length:17:17

Notes

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal,[30] Instagram,[31] and Universal Music Canada.[32]

Performers

Technical

Design

  • Allison Snyder – creative direction
  • Julie Vastola – creative direction
  • Juan Manuel Villarreal – design
  • Danna Galeano – animation
  • Katia Temkin – animation

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
UK Download Albums (OCC)[33] 97
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[34] 3
US Top Current Albums (Billboard)[35] 63

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various May 8, 2020
Republic [21]

References

  1. 1 2 Wass, Mike (April 27, 2020). "Hailee Steinfeld Announces 'Half Written Story' EP". Idolator. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Hailee Steinfeld announces 'Half Written Story' EP, out May 8". American Broadcasting Company. April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  3. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (May 2, 2017). "Pop Shop Podcast: Hailee Steinfeld on 'Pitch Perfect 3,' Her World Tour 'Goal' & More; Plus, Bruno Mars Back on Top". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  4. ↑ Wass, Mike (April 27, 2017). "Hailee Steinfeld's "Most Girls" Is A Feisty & Empowering Anthem". Idolator. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  5. ↑ McKenna, Brittney (September 12, 2017). "Hear Hailee Steinfeld, Florida Georgia Line's Shimmering New Song 'Let Me Go'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  6. ↑ Johns, Gibson (March 7, 2018). "Hailee Steinfeld 'wrapping up' her debut album: 'I have ten more things I want to talk about!'". Aol. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld Says New Album Is About To Drop: It's Coming 'Soon'". YouTube. Access. March 7, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld Teases A New Album & Tour Are On The Way For 2019". YouTube. BUILD series. December 18, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ Zemler, Emily (March 26, 2020). "Hear Hailee Steinfeld Look for Hope on New Single 'I Love You's'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  10. ↑ @HaileeSteinfeld (April 24, 2020). "MAY 8TH" (Tweet). Retrieved April 27, 2020 – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "In quarantine, Hailee Steinfeld is working on new music and hoping you'll watch 'Dickinson'". American Broadcasting Company. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  12. ↑ @HaileeSteinfeld (April 27, 2020). "Half Written Story out May 8th" (Tweet). Retrieved April 27, 2020 – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld – Your Name Hurts Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DeVille, Chris (May 4, 2020). "Actress Hailee Steinfeld Does A Decent Pop Star Impersonation". Stereogum. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  15. 1 2 Baltin, Steve (May 7, 2020). "Q&A: Hailee Steinfeld Opens Up On Personal 'Half Written Story'". Forbes. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  16. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (May 8, 2020). "First Stream: New Music From Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber, Kehlani, Hayley Williams & More". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  17. ↑ Close, Paris (May 8, 2020). "Hailee Steinfeld Gets Candid On 5-Song EP 'Half Written Story': Listen". iHeartRadio. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld says staying single for a year inspired her Annie Lennox homage 'I Love You's'". EW.com. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  19. 1 2 Stickler, Jon. "Hailee Steinfeld Drops New Single I Love You's". Stereoboard. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  20. 1 2 Wass, Mike (March 31, 2020). "Hailee Steinfeld Samples Annie Lennox On New Single "I Love You's"". Idolator. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Half Written Story – EP by Hailee Steinfeld". Apple Music. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld's New Year Begins With New Song 'Wrong Direction': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld's New Year Begins With New Song 'Wrong Direction': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  24. ↑ Wass, Mike (23 March 2020). "She's Back! Hailee Steinfeld Announces New Single "I Love You's"". Idolator. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  25. ↑ Weiner, Natalie (May 7, 2020). "Hayley Williams' 'Petals for Armor' and Hailee Steinfeld's 'Half Written Story': Album Reviews". Variety. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  26. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (May 7, 2020). "Hailee Steinfeld Is a Star – Now She Wants to Figure Out Who She Is As an Artist". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  27. ↑ Greenwood, Douglas (May 8, 2020). "Hailee Steinfeld is ready for you to hear these songs". i-D. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  28. ↑ Rosenzweig, Mathias (May 8, 2020). "Hailee Steinfeld Releases 'Half Written Story'". V. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  29. ↑ Rees, Katrina (May 9, 2020). "Hailee Steinfeld gets personal on new EP 'Half Written Story'". CelebMix. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Credits / Half Written Story / Hailee Steinfeld". Tidal. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  31. ↑ @katiatemkin (April 27, 2020). "Thank you @haileesteinfeld for letting me help bring your vision to life 🥺🥰🎨". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld Announces Half Written Story, Out May 8". Universal Music Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Hailee Steinfeld Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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