Halsey had a notably graceful response to Pitchfork’s lukewarm review of their latest album, The Great Impersonator. Released on October 25, the album received a 4.8 out of 10 from the publication, which has a bit of history with Halsey.
If you remember, Halsey wasn’t as measured in their response back in 2020 when Manic received a negative review from Pitchfork. At that time, they tweeted, “can the basement that they run p*tchfork out of just collapse already,” clearly showing their frustration. However, after realizing that Pitchfork’s office was in the One World Trade Center, Halsey quickly apologized and took down the post.
Now, four years later, Halsey’s response shows a noticeable shift in attitude. Instead of clapping back, they took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the positive takeaways from the review.
Pitchfork’s critique wasn’t all praise, saying, “With a muddled concept at its core, Halsey’s fifth album languishes in dull pop-rock corridors behind emotionally potent but unremarkable songwriting.” Yet Halsey managed to look past the low rating and the harsher notes, sharing only an encouraging excerpt on social media.
One part of the review that Halsey chose to share read, “Halsey is one of the most successful artists of their generation.” In response, they wrote, “thank you @pitchfork for your kind words. I think it’s so beautiful that everyone interprets things differently.”
Rather than getting caught up in negativity, Halsey embraced the idea that art is subjective and open to different perspectives—a graceful approach that marks a clear contrast from their earlier reactions.
This response reflects a broader shift in how Halsey interacts with critics and handles the public’s interpretation of their work, reinforcing that sometimes growth means choosing which battles are worth fighting. By responding with a positive outlook, Halsey redefines their relationship with critics and shows a maturing confidence in their artistic journey.
