Shelter (Finneas song)

Last updated

"Shelter"
Single by Finneas
from the EP Blood Harmony
ReleasedAugust 22, 2019
Recorded2016
Genre Pop
Length3:07
Label OYOY
Songwriter(s) Finneas O'Connell
Producer(s) Finneas
Finneas singles chronology
"Angel"
(2019)		"Shelter"
(2019)		"I Don't Miss You at All"
(2019)
Music video
"Shelter" on YouTube

"Shelter" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut EP, Blood Harmony (2019). The song was released by OYOY as the third single from the EP on August 22, 2019. Finneas had heard that Avicii was looking for songs to produce. Afterwards, he wrote the song and sent it to Avicii's team. Lyrically, the song is about a lover that brings Finneas peace, but also trouble.

Contents

The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics, several of whom praised the music and lyrical content. A music video for "Shelter" was uploaded to Finneas' YouTube channel on September 30, 2019, and was directed by Sam Bennett. In it, Finneas stumbles as backup dancers shove and toss him roughly. Finneas toured the United States throughout October 2019 to support Blood Harmony, with the tour including performances of the song.

Background and composition

"Shelter" was first written back in 2016 by Finneas. [1] [2] He had heard that Swedish musician Avicii was looking for songs to produce. Following on from this, Finneas wrote the track and sent it to Avicii's team. [2] [3] [4] [5] Finneas has confessed that he doesn't know if Avicii ever heard it. [2] "Shelter" was released as the third single from Finneas' debut EP Blood Harmony for digital download and streaming, through his record label OYOY on August 22, 2019. [3] The track was written and produced by Finneas. [3]

Critical commentary described "Shelter" as a pop-based track. [3] [6] The track features a tropical beat, electric guitar, Latin-based guitars, drum beats, gospel choir effect[s] that appear during the chorus, reverb'd handclaps, bluesy vocal embellishment, and rapid phrasing in the bridge. [3] [7] [8] Tosten Burks, writing for Spin magazine, noted the track sounds like an Ed Sheeran song. [7] He further commented that the track is built around some "urgent acoustic guitar strumming" and a "plucky melody" which is very similar to the marimba line in Sheeran's number one hit "Shape of You" (2017), and is set in a dance tempo. [7] Lyrically, the track is about a lover that brings Finneas peace but has an undercurrent of trouble. He represents the trouble with the lyrics, "They call us lucky/But I think we might be cursed/'Cause the way you love me/I could drink the river dry, still die of thirst". [9] The mood of the track becomes more urgent as it continues: "Give me, give me shelter/From the storm/Give me, give me shelter/ Keep me warm/I don't wanna think about a life without you/I don't wanna go to war but I'm about to". [9]

Critical reception

"Shelter" was met with mainly positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Substream Magazine, Valerie Magan described the track as "vulnerable", "heartbreak-tinged" and "easygoing". [4] Ben Kay of Consequence of Sound noted that "Shelter" was "considerably brighter than the material [Finneas] produces for his sister Billie Eilish". [3] Madeline Roth of MTV labeled the track as a "galvanic, acoustic guitar-driven number". [9] Will Richards of NME called the song "vibrant" and "huffling", while mentioning that its "production saves its average lyrics". [6] Nicole Almeida of Atwood Magazine stated that the song it "prolongs the theme of love, and is a high energy, radio-ready take on seeing someone as your safe haven", and he called the production on the song a "remarkable offering a fresh take on a pop anthem about being way too deep in love". [10] Writing for the American Songwriter , Paul Zollow labeled the track as "buoyant" and "uptempo". [11] Tanis Smither of Earmilk mentioned the song has an "infectious energy". [8]

Promotion

A music video for "Shelter" was directed by Sam Bennett and was uploaded to Finneas' YouTube channel on September 30, 2019. [12] The video was directed by Sam Bennett and choreographed by Monika Felice Smith, while it was shot in one take. [13] The visual begins with Finneas frantically walking along the Los Angeles river as groups of dancers try to interrupt his journey. "They call us lucky / But I think we might be cursed / 'Cause the way you love me / I could drink the river dry, still die of thirst." Finneas cries as the dancers try to tug and toss him roughly around the empty riverbed, as well as mobbing him. [14] Roth compared the visual to the 1978 film '" Grease , while praising the choreography, which she described as "elaborate" and "impressive". [13]

Finneas toured throughout the United States during October 2019, in support of Blood Harmony. [5] "Shelter" was one of the tracks from the EP that he performed live during the tour. [5] In October 2019, Finneas performed "Shelter" at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, being backed up by a live band. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Eyes (song)</span> 2016 single by Billie Eilish

"Ocean Eyes" is a single by American singer Billie Eilish and was released as the lead single from her debut EP, Don't Smile at Me, and the soundtrack album to the film Everything, Everything (2017). The song was written and produced by Eilish's older brother, Finneas O'Connell, and was originally written for his band. Finneas gave the song to Eilish for her dance performance after realizing the song suited her vocals. It was originally released on SoundCloud on November 18, 2015, but was later re-released commercially on November 18, 2016, as a single through Darkroom and Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Eilish</span> American singer-songwriter (born 2001)

Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell is an American singer and songwriter. She first gained public attention in 2015 with her debut single "Ocean Eyes", written and produced by her brother Finneas O'Connell, with whom she collaborates on music and live shows. In 2017, she released her debut extended play (EP), Don't Smile at Me. Commercially successful, it reached the top 15 of record charts in numerous countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watch (Billie Eilish song)</span> 2017 single by Billie Eilish

"Watch" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut EP Don't Smile at Me (2017). Written and produced by Eilish's brother Finneas O'Connell, the song was released for digital download and streaming through Darkroom and Interscope Records on June 29, 2017, as the third single from the EP.

<i>Dont Smile at Me</i> 2017 EP by Billie Eilish

Don't Smile at Me is the debut extended play by American singer Billie Eilish, released on August 11, 2017, via Darkroom and Interscope Records. Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell wrote most of the material on the EP and were solely responsible for its production. It is an electropop and bedroom pop record with elements of R&B and jazz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finneas O'Connell</span> American musician and actor (born 1997)

Finneas Baird O'Connell, also known mononymously as Finneas, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. A recipient of numerous accolades, he has written and produced music for various artists, most notably his younger sister, Billie Eilish. He has won 10 Grammy Awards among 18 total nominations, including nominations for the Big Four categories. He has made history as the youngest act to win the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category. For his work with Eilish, he has won Record of the Year twice in a row, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. He was also nominated for Best New Artist for his solo work. Their song "No Time to Die" from the film of the same name earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and another Grammy. Two years later, for their song "What Was I Made For?", they won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year, along with the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song. They became the youngest 2-time Academy Awards winners ever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovely (Billie Eilish and Khalid song)</span> 2018 single by Billie Eilish and Khalid

"Lovely" is a song by American singers Billie Eilish and Khalid. Darkroom and Interscope Records released it as the lead single from the Netflix drama series 13 Reasons Why's second season soundtrack. The artists wrote the song with Eilish's brother and producer Finneas O'Connell. The song has been described as a chamber pop ballad whose lyrics recount Eilish and Khalid trying to overcome serious depression together. The song also appears on the deluxe version of Eilish's EP don't smile at me.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When the Party's Over (song)</span> 2018 single by Billie Eilish

"When the Party's Over" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and the second single from her debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019). It was released on October 17, 2018, through Darkroom and Interscope Records. It was written and produced by Finneas O'Connell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idontwannabeyouanymore</span> 2017 single by Billie Eilish

"Idontwannabeyouanymore" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut EP, Don't Smile at Me (2017). Eilish and her brother, Finneas O'Connell, co-wrote the song, with the latter solely handling the production. It was released through Darkroom and Interscope Records on July 21, 2017, as the fifth single from the EP. Musically, the song is pop and R&B track with a jazz and neo soul-influenced melody, that was heavily inspired by Eilish being depressed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">&Burn</span> 2017 single by Billie Eilish

"&Burn" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish and American rapper Vince Staples. It was released for digital download and streaming as a single on December 15, 2017, through Darkroom and Interscope Records, and was later included on a reissue of Eilish's debut EP, Don't Smile at Me, in December of that year. Staples and Finneas O'Connell co-wrote the song, with the latter solely handling production. A hip hop-influenced track, the song is an alternate version of Eilish's single "Watch".

"I Love You" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019). Eilish co-wrote the song with her brother Finneas O'Connell, who also handled production. As the 13th track on the album, "I Love You" is an acoustic guitar-based ballad accompanied by various plane-related noises, where Eilish's lyrics describe the resistance to falling in love with someone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finneas O'Connell discography</span>

American singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer Finneas O'Connell has released one studio album, two soundtracks, one extended play and 25 singles. The singer began his career after he wrote and produced Billie Eilish's song "Ocean Eyes". Finneas and Eilish uploaded "Ocean Eyes" to SoundCloud in November 2015, and it became an instant hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All the Good Girls Go to Hell</span> 2019 single by Billie Eilish

"All the Good Girls Go to Hell" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and the sixth single from her debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019). It was released on September 6, 2019, through Darkroom and Interscope Records. A pop track, "All the Good Girls Go to Hell" sees Eilish sing about climate change. She wrote the song with its producer, Finneas O'Connell.

<i>Blood Harmony</i> 2019 EP by Finneas

Blood Harmony is the debut extended play by American singer-songwriter Finneas. It was released by his record label OYOY, distributed by AWAL, on October 4, 2019. All of the material on the EP was produced and written by Finneas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Lost a Friend</span> 2019 single by Finneas

"I Lost a Friend" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut EP, Blood Harmony (2019). The song was written and produced solely by Finneas. It was released as the second single from the EP on May 3, 2019, through OYOY. An electropop ballad, the song's lyrics address Finneas losing touch with a childhood friend and regretting doing so, as well as wondering why he didn't do anything about it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Fall in Love for the Night</span> 2018 single by Finneas

"Let's Fall in Love for the Night" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut extended play (EP), Blood Harmony (2019). It was released by OYOY as the lead single from the EP on October 19, 2018. A pop track, the song's lyrics are about a boy dreaming about being with a girl he has never met and wanting to be with her in another world. In August 2020, Finneas released a different version of the track, titled "Let's Fall in Love for the Night (1964)", on the deluxe version of the EP, on August 7, 2020. Music critics have compared it to the work of Frank Sinatra.

"Hostage" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut EP, Don't Smile at Me (2017). The singer and her brother Finneas O'Connell co-wrote the song, while the latter solely handled production. The song is a stripped-down pop track. Lyrically, it is about the intense love and an overwhelming desire to possess that Eilish feels for her romantic partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bikini Porn</span> 2020 single by Tove Lo

"Bikini Porn" is a song recorded by Swedish singer Tove Lo, who co-wrote it with Finneas, Jakob Hazell, Ludvig Söderberg and Svante Halldin. It was produced by Finneas, Jack & Coke and A Strut, who also handled the programming. Universal Music AB released "Bikini Porn" as a single on 15 January 2020 for download and on streaming services, and later included it on Lo's reissue album Sunshine Kitty: Paw Prints Edition, in May 2020. The single also featured the ballad "Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I'm Weak", written by Lo and Finneas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break My Heart Again</span> 2018 single by Finneas

"Break My Heart Again" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas. It was released by OYOY for digital download and streaming as a single on February 9, 2018. The song was later included on the deluxe edition of Finneas' debut EP, Blood Harmony (2019). An indie pop ballad, the song's lyrics address Finneas breaking up with his girlfriend through on and off texting. The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics, several of whom praised the music and lyrical content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Miss You at All</span> 2019 single by Finneas

"I Don't Miss You at All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut EP, Blood Harmony (2019). It was released by OYOY as the fourth and final single from the EP on September 20, 2019. The dark pop track was written and produced by Finneas himself. The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics, several of whom praised the music and lyrical content. During his October 2019 United States tour, the singer performed the song. He also sang it on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and during a livestream for Verizon Communications.

References

  1. ↑ Earls, John (August 23, 2019). "Listen to the catchy debut EP by Billie Eilish's brother, Finneas". NME . Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Rowley, Glenn (October 4, 2019). "Finneas Breaks Down His Striking Debut EP 'Blood Harmony': Exclusive". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kaye, Ben (August 22, 2019). "Finneas announces debut EP, Blood Harmony, shares 'Shelter': Stream". Consequence of Sound . Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Magan, Valerie (August 22, 2019). "Finneas releases 'Shelter,' announces debut EP 'Blood Harmony'". Substream Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 Shaffer, Claire (August 22, 2019). "Finneas Previews Debut EP 'Blood Harmony' With New Song 'Shelter'". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Richards, Will (October 2, 2019). "Finneas – 'Blood Harmony' EP review: the Billie Eilish producer strikes out alone". NME. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Burks, Tosten (August 22, 2019). "Here's What Billie Eilish's Brother's Music Sounds Like". Spin . Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Smither, Tanis (September 20, 2019). "Finneas announces debut EP with electric new single 'Shelter'". Earmilk . Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 Roth, Madeline (August 22, 2019). "Finneas Rides A 'Feverish' Wave of Love on New Song 'Shelter'". MTV. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ Almeida, Nicole (October 4, 2019). "Review: Blood Harmony is Finneas' Immaculate First Step Into His Cinematic, Beautiful World". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  11. ↑ Zollo, Paul (March 19, 2020). "Finneas Keeps Stepping Out On His Own". American Songwriter . Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  12. ↑ Rowley, Glenn (September 30, 2019). "Finneas Unveils 'Shelter' Video After Making 'Saturday Night Live' Debut With Sis Billie Eilish: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  13. 1 2 Roth, Madeline (September 30, 2019). "Finneas Follows Up SNL With His Trippy, One Take 'Shelter' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  14. ↑ Nattress, Katrina (September 30, 2019). "Finneas Gives Us An Exclusive Behind The Scenes Look At His 'Shelter' Video". iHeartRadio . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  15. ↑ Jones, Isa (October 6, 2019). "Acl Live Review: Finneas". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved September 16, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.