Halsey’s fifth studio album, The Great Impersonator, is an adventurous exploration of identity, both personal and artistic, taking fans on a nostalgic yet futuristic trip through decades of music and culture. The confessional, concept-driven album centers on the question: who would Halsey be if she existed in different eras? Each track taps into the sound, style, and spirit of various decades, yet the album remains deeply grounded in themes of authenticity, relationships, and the way both resonate across time.

In classic Halsey fashion, the album’s rollout was anything but ordinary. Fans were invited to partake in a global scavenger hunt to uncover decade-themed album covers hidden in time capsules across cities like London, New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Sydney. It’s a move that underscores the album’s ambitious vision - Halsey as a chameleon, shifting and adapting through the decades while remaining her one and only self. On Instagram, Halsey described The Great Impersonator as a work created “in the space between life and death.” She reflected on its personal significance, saying, “I’ve waited an eternity for you to have it. I’ll wait a bit longer. I’ve waited a decade, already.”

The album’s concept stretches beyond the music to its visuals. The September 5 reveal featured multiple album covers, each corresponding to a different era. The single “The End” dropped back in June and was the first tease of the album, followed by “Lucky” in July, and subsequent singles “Lonely Is the Muse,” “Ego,” and the recently released “I Never Loved You.” In the lead-up to the album’s release, Halsey gave fans an 18-day countdown of sorts, “impersonating” a different music icon each day. This wasn’t mere cosplay, it was an homage to the artists that have shaped her sound and vision, from Dolly Parton and Kate Bush to Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie. Each day came with a snippet of the corresponding song that drew inspiration from that artist, building anticipation for the record.

The album’s strength lies in its ability to transport listeners, all while keeping its core focus intact. Halsey’s exploration of fame, heartbreak, and identity doesn’t waver, even as the musical styles shift from the glam rock of Bowie to the moody introspection of PJ Harvey. The Great Impersonator is Halsey at her most ambitious, not only paying tribute to the greats but also staking her claim as one of the most versatile and daring voices in pop today. It’s a record that asks: if we’re all impersonating something or someone, how do we find ourselves in the process? Halsey, as ever, is searching for that answer.