Eight-time Grammy winner and producer, Finneas O’Connell, recently released his new album “Optimist.” This comes as his first studio album after releasing an EP titled “Blood Harmony” back in 2019. The 13-song album was released on Oct. 15, 2021 and includes hit singles such as “What They’ll Say About Us”, “A Concert Six Months from Now”, and “The 90s.”

As Finneas O’Connell continues to gain popularity from producing for his sister, pop singer Billie Eilish, he himself also developed new musical textures and experimented with new melodies that appeal to a greater audience. 

The first distinct difference between “Optimist” and “Blood Harmony” is the unfiltered emotions revealed through the process of making the album, especially when discussing current social issues. 

In the song “The Kids Are All Dying,” O’Connell expresses his views on the current social climate through lyrics such as “How can you sing about love/ when the kids are all dying?” and “The internet is mad/ they say you’re problematic and you’d better take it back.” These lyrics are able to bring listeners closer to his personal opinion regarding self-image and escapism as people neglect reality and drift towards a virtual world. 

 Nevertheless, another aspect of musical maturity shown by O’Connell in his new album is the change in his sonic universe. 

In his first EP Blood Harmony, the album is filled with beauty and drama with the symbolism of sunset that creates a dreamy atmosphere throughout the album. As O’Connell suggests, this debut album illustrates  the action of running away from a city and dashing into the unknown filled with joy. 

However, in his current album, O’Connell returns to reality and once again ready to face his true self with a futuristic approach that can be seen through the cyberpunk robots. Though the songs remain pessimistic, O’Connell seems to figure out imaginary solutions in his mind that can bring positivity in his life. 

Lastly, he appeals to his audience as seen in his album ranking 9th in the US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) chart. While often referred to as “Billie Eilish’s brother,” O’Connell puts forth his artistic talent and creativity in his new album as his music journey continues. 

 “It’s an album about my world experience, my life experience — it’s an introspective body of work,” Finneas said in an interview with The Breeze.org. “[It’s about] the things I was scared of as a kid, and the things I’m scared of as an adult, and how they’re connected.”