Halsey’s The Great Impersonator: An Exploration of Identity and Legacy 

In an age where reinvention is the currency of artistry, Halsey has made a career of questioning, “Who am I, really?”. Her fifth studio album, The Great Impersonator, takes this question to a new level. Starting in the 1970s and moving through to the early 2000s, she wonders: “What if I had debuted in a different era? Who would I have been?” This imaginative concept allows Halsey to channel iconic artists—from Marilyn Monroe and Stevie Nicks to Britney Spears and even a younger version of herself—crafting each song as a tribute while remaining deeply personal. The Great Impersonator, is a daring exploration of identity, mortality, and artistry, spanning decades of musical influence. 

The Making of The Great Impersonator 

The American singer teased their album through global scavenger hunts and photo recreations of iconic artists, each reveal forming a piece of a larger puzzle. This interactive approach drew fans into the intricate, layered world of The Great Impersonator. The puzzle-like theme echoes her very artist name—Ashley Nicolette Frangipane cleverly reconfigured “Ashley” into “Halsey,” reflecting how theur career has always been rooted in mystery, reinvention, and shifting identity.  Conceived during one of the most tumultuous periods of her life, the album trailer opens with a haunting reflection: “I really thought this would be the last album I ever made.” Ultimately, the album is more than a collection of songs; it’s a statement about resilience. Grappling with chronic illnesses, the 30-year-old artist approached this project as if it were her swan song. The result is a deeply moving and ambitious record, a sonic memoir that traverses decades, and is tied together by Halsey’s brutal honesty and poignant storytelling.

Halsey’s Dual Narrative of Artistry and Illness 

Halsey’s ability to slip into different roles becomes an act of escapism during one of the most challenging times of her life. Yet, it’s not just a creative exercise; it’s a reflection of her fears, regrets, and the fleeting nature of time. The Great Impersonator operates on two levels. First, it’s an ode to the musical icons who shaped her artistry, each song drawing heavily from the stylistic trademarks of legends like Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, and Bruce Springsteen. This approach highlights Halsey’s ability to “become” others while still anchoring her sound in her unmistakable vulnerability. Second, it delves deeply into the emotional and physical toll of chronic illness, mirroring her evolving relationship with mortality and faith. 

A standout example of the dual concept is the Letter to God trilogy, spanning three decades. These songs form the emotional backbone of the album: 

• In Letter to God (1974), a young Halsey prays for sickness, longing for the affection she sees lavished on a terminally ill child in her school. 

• By Letter to God (1983), she regrets that prayer, lamenting the harsh reality of chronic illness. 

• Finally, in Letter to God (1998), a mother facing isolation and fear begs for fairness, terrified of leaving her son behind. 

The series encapsulates the cyclical pain of living with illness while reflecting on the profound emotional shifts over time. 

Decades of Influence on The Great Impersonator 

The album’s soundscape is a kaleidoscope, with each track reflecting the artist she channels. The opener, Only Living Girl in LA, is a melancholic ode to Marilyn Monroe, featuring soft guitar strums and an aching vocal performance that crescendos into chaotic distortion. Tracks like Ego (inspired by Dolores O’Riordan) and Panic Attack (a nod to Stevie Nicks) shift from upbeat pop-rock to introspective balladry, showcasing Halsey’s unparalleled ability to adapt. Songs like Lonely is the Muse (channelling Amy Lee) and Darwinism (inspired by David Bowie) stand out for their raw emotional power and thematic depth. The former seethes with anger at being reduced to a muse rather than an artist, while the latter uses haunting piano and echoing vocals to reflect on the feeling of being inherently lonely. Despite the variety, the album remains cohesive, bound by Halsey’s introspective lyrics. 

Words as a Mirror to Her Soul 

The lyrics throughout the album are unflinchingly honest, delving into themes of abandonment, imposter syndrome, love, death, and fear. In Letter to God (1998), Halsey sings, “I’ve finally found somebody I don’t wanna get rid of,” pleading with God to let her live. Recurring imagery of water weaves through the album, symbolizing her fluidity and adaptability, while also serving as a metaphorical barrier against those who have wronged her. In Hurt Feelings, Halsey reflects on her turbulent relationship with her father, singing, “Blood is thick, but water is forever,” poignantly prioritizing chosen family over biological ties. 

The haunting track Arsonist revisits the scars of a toxic relationship, encapsulated in lines like, “I’m going to a building that’s on fire, handcuffed to a narcissistic liar.” This poetic yet searing imagery uses fire as a metaphor to contain the pain and destruction of that experience within the song. Meanwhile, Life of the Spider (Draft) stands out as a raw, tearful piano ballad where Halsey strips back all pretense to explore feelings of entrapment and insignificance in her past relationship. Their trembling, vulnerable voice makes it the most heartbreaking track in their discography, with the “(Draft)” in the title hinting at its unpolished, emotional authenticity—delivered in its rawest form without studio refinement. 

A Final Bow: Halsey’s Reflection on Legacy and Mortality 

The album concludes with the theatrical and bittersweet title track, The Great Impersonator. Quirky and almost sarcastic in tone, Halsey “puts on a show” one final time, masking heavy existential musings beneath an upbeat facade. Lyrics like “Does a story die with its narrator?” and “Hope they spell my name right in the paper” underscore deeper questions about mortality, legacy, and whether her career has shaped her identity as she intended. It’s a fittingly introspective finale to an album that confronts profound truths with fearless vulnerability. The Great Impersonator is Halsey’s most ambitious project yet. It’s not just a tribute to the artists who influenced them but a raw, unfiltered look at their struggles with chronic illness and self-doubt. As she impersonates others, she paradoxically reveals the most authentic and intimate version of herself. 

The Pain and Power of Reinvention: Why The Great Impersonator Matters 

Halsey has always grappled with identity in her work, but here, she embraces her chameleonic nature fully. Through their shapeshifting sound, they reminds us that identity is fluid, art is enduring, and vulnerability is strength. Halsey’s voice—both literal and figurative—remains the thread that ties this intricate concept together. Ashley is gifted with a talent for music, that they use to release their pain and emotions through art. The Great Impersonator, is a project so sad and devastating, it might not be for everyone and a tough listen, yet it is a grandiose piece of art that should not be disregarded. Whether you choose to analyse the deeper themes or simply enjoy the album’s genre-hopping brilliance, The Great Impersonator is a ride worth taking. It cements Halsey as one of her generation’s most daring and underrated artists, proving that even in the face of immense personal challenges, they can create art that is both groundbreaking and deeply human.