This cemented the mainstream success of a style that was unlike typical pop conventions.
A defining album for whisperpop is Billie Eilish’s debut 2019 album “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?,” in which Eilish frequently employs a hauntingly thin and intimate whispering singing style, especially on songs like “i love you” and “listen before i go.” This singing style is especially effective at creating an intimate space when listening with headphones or wireless earbuds, which became very popular at that time. The production on the album also uses lots of repetitive samples paired with minimal drums, acoustic riffs and dramatic instrument panning to create a claustrophobic audio space that entrances the listener. Eilish would go on to sweep with Grammys in 2020, winning each of the four biggest categories: Best New Artist, Song of The Year, Record of The Year and Album of the Year. This cemented the mainstream success of a style that was unlike typical pop conventions. Eilish remains a popular artist today despite her unorthodox style, again scoring success with her sophomore record “Happier Than Ever” in 2021 and the downtempo ballad “What Was I Made For?” in 2023.