Halsey’s fifth studio album, “The Great Impersonator,” has 18 tracks, each is inspired by pop icons from the 1970s to the present, such as Dolly Parton, Fiona Apple, and Joni Mitchell. This album is one of a kind. Each song sounds like the icon it was inspired by, yet it is still completely different from the inspiration. This album came at a time of healing when Halsey was experiencing postpartum depression, lupus, and T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. This album is special as it will take you back in time while also keeping you in the present. 

The End

The sixth track on “The Great Impersonator” is written and produced by Halsey, with production help from Alex G, and Michael Uzowuru.This song is inspired by songwriter Joni Mitchell, which is reflected by its folky sound and heart-breaking lyrics. 

Joni Mitchell is among music history’s most poignant and influential songwriters, famous for her sad songs about lost love, childhood innocence, and the pain of motherhood.  “The End” is about wanting to find love during the treatment of her lupus and T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.

Panic Attack

“Panic Attack” is a haunting, atmospheric song produced by Austin Corona and Wyatt Bernard, with lyrics co-written by Halsey and Stuart Price. This track draws heavy inspiration from Stevie Nicks, channeling the ethereal, mystical energy of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors” era.

The song blends Halsey’s signature vulnerability with Nicks’s iconic “witchy” flair, featuring shimmering guitars, layered harmonies, and an eerie, almost hypnotic melody. The lyrics detail Halsey’s experience with overwhelming anxiety and panic attacks, likening them to a storm brewing within her. Lines like “My breath is running faster than my heartbeat / I’m a spinning crystal, shattering in the breeze” evoke vivid imagery, much like Nicks’s poetic style.

With its raw emotion and spellbinding production, “Panic Attack” perfectly captures the chaos and beauty of finding strength in vulnerability.

Ego

“Ego” is a standout track produced by Benny Blanco and Greg Kurstin, inspired by Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries. O’Riordan’s influence is unmistakable, with the song’s haunting vocal delivery and ethereal yet grungy instrumentation paying homage to The Cranberries’ signature sound.

Halsey channels the raw emotion and introspective lyricism that defined O’Riordan’s work, crafting a song about battling inner demons while maintaining a facade of confidence. Lines like “I’m a mirror, I reflect what they project / But I’m hollow where my soul should rest” capture the tension between public perception and private struggles.

The layered guitars, soaring melodies, and a hint of Irish-inspired lilt in the bridge further solidify the tribute, making “Ego” a powerful nod to one of music’s most iconic voices while still feeling uniquely Halsey.

Lucky

Halsey explained on Instagram that she chose to cover this iconic single from Britney Spears’ second studio album because Spears was the first superstar who ever inspired her. 

The song, which originally reflected on Spears’ juggling fame and personal struggles, speaks to Halsey’s experiences with being a pop artist. The question of why she always feels so sad and lonely despite having so many adoring fans still rings as true for Halsey today as it did for Spears in the early aughts.

Lonely is the Muse

An emotional powerhouse inspired by Amy Lee of Evanescence, “Lonely is the Muse” is produced by Halsey and Jack Antonoff. The song incorporates haunting piano melodies, dramatic strings, and Halsey’s soaring, operatic vocals that echo Amy Lee’s signature sound.

Drawing from Lee’s ability to fuse vulnerability with power, the song explores themes of isolation and artistic sacrifice. Lines like “I sing their stories, but they silence mine / A shadow’s only seen with the light behind” reflect Halsey’s feelings of being admired for her work but overlooked as a person.

The track builds to a thunderous crescendo with pounding drums and layered harmonies, mirroring Evanescence’s iconic ability to blend rock with classical elements. “Lonely is the Muse” serves as a cathartic and unforgettable conclusion to the album, leaving listeners in awe of both its beauty and its depth.

Halsey’s “The Great Impersonator” is not just an album — it’s a journey through decades of musical influence and personal transformation. By drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Dolores O’Riordan, Britney Spears, and Amy Lee, Halsey pays homage to the legends who shaped her while firmly establishing her own voice. Each track is a tribute, yet entirely her own, seamlessly blending the past with the present.